In the second season of the Welsh Cup, Rhymney's exciting progress in the early rounds meant that they reached the last 16 by January.

The first chance to hear the draw was on the Welsh news. "Rhymni" it said, "yn erbyn Llanelli". Rhymney against the Scarlets, the unquestioned 'plum' home draw! The side who had beaten the All Blacks 9-3 a month earlier, who were packed with class and caps and coached by Carwyn of the Lions in their centenary season, would be coming to the Park! What a Christmas present for Dai Viney's men! It was decided to turn down Llanelli's offer of a Stradey guarantee, and 'give it everything' at home. Eventually Thursday, 11th January, 1973, under the lights, was agreed upon. There was a poor dress rehearsal as Stourbridge won at the Park, an early kick-off fooling some Rhymney players, and a scare until Dennis Humphreys (sent off in a Seconds' match) escaped suspension. Byron Light of Pengam and Bedlinog, later of Swansea University and London Welsh, was set to stand in. However with the many arrangements all completed, the Club hoped it would be "all right on the night".

There was a tingle of anticipation about the town as some 3,000 spectators, the largest crowd ever seen at the Park, packed in or spread up the adjoining slopes to see the mighty Scarlets and the home side fielding in their white "floodlight" kit. Rhymney had brought in Dai Morris to prop for the first time for the Firsts, at tight head, so the side that left the cleaned and patched-up changing rooms read:

P.John; R.Harris, D.Hann, D.George, P.Atkinson; A.Viney, I.Lewis; D.Viney (Capt.), D.Humphreys, D.Morris, C.Barnard, R.Wood, M.Gay, A.Rodaway, R.Dunn.

With Delme Thomas flu-struck, Llanelli played: Roger Davies; J.J.Williams, Roy Bergiers, Bernard Thomas, Andy Hill; Phil Bennett, Selwyn Williams; Tony Crocker, Roy Thomas, Chris Charles, Hefin Jenkins, Derek Quinnell, Tommy David, Huw Rees and Barry Llewelyn.

There were six current or future Welsh Caps in the side and likewise five British Lions. Two more had already played for Wales 'B', four others would do so in years to come. The side had scored 107 points to nil in their previous two Cup rounds and lost in the 1972 final. They were three down inside two minutes to a Wood penalty, 9-3 behind at the break and did not take the lead until the last minute of normal time when Andy Hill's famous try and Bennett's conversion averted the Scarlets' blushes and biggest-ever cup upset.

Those bare facts conceal a magnificent encounter remembered by all who witnessed it. The pack - fittingly captured in the huge photograph which adorned the lounge until the fire - were superb. Martin Gay was a giant in an outstanding back row, Dai Morris’s short line jumping excellent (I give credit to the winger throwing in, myself!). Dai’s feed and Pepper’s pass saw Allan Viney drop a lovely goal after Bennett’s penalty equaliser, and with the Llanelli backs rushed into error and tackled from all sides, Rhymney deserved an interval lead boosted by Wood’s big second penalty. Barry Llewelyn went off after an hour, his knee "gone" and he never played for Wales again. Tommy David and Quinnell were brought to ground time and again, though it was the big lock who just caught Ian Lewis after the scrum-half had made the run of the match in a performance which caught the eye of many. Bennett's penalty made it 9-6 but Meredydd James, Bridgend prop, just starting his so-useful contribution as P.E. Master and later Head at Rhymney School, whispered to coach Norman Moseley, "we’re going to do it!" Carwyn James sent out "spin-it" messages via his physio, the late Bert Peel, and as the seconds ticked away Llanelli did the trick. One against the head, a quick-passing overlap and Andy Hill - "St.Andrew", says Carwyn - was over, Bennett converted. Denzil Lloyd, splendid referee, gave Wood a long injury-time shot, whose failure was not as crucial as imagined: the sole try would have seen the Scarlets home at all events.

The final whistle went. Carwyn and his side shook hands all round, the Clubhouse was a heaving mass till all hours. The writer’s own memories, other than clinging on to the legs of J.J. and Tommy David for dear life, are of the speed of the game, the noise of the crowd, and the friendly, much-relieved conversation of the "stars" later. Oh, and Robert Wood slumped in the big chair in the changing room corner, still believing that we could and should have won. Press coverage was wide and generous; Rhymney got the glory, the T.V. news film clips, the taste for the Cup, added interest and support, and a long-lasting morale booster. Llanelli got the victory and went on to beat Cardiff 30-7 and win the Cup for the next four years!

"Magnificent Rhymney" said the South Wales Evening Post. "A grand side" said Phil Bennett; "Frantic Scarlets" commented John Billot. "I’d like to give them a game at Stradey" was Carwyn’s parting shot, and as the All-Blacks' conquerors left, their local writer commented that Rhymney's superb spirit had helped prove that "the Cup is the best thing to hit Welsh rugby for years. One magnificent match at Rhymney's draughty War Memorial Park proved the point conclusively." The game certainly stuck in Carwyn James's mind; he recalled it many times in the press, in broadcasts and programme notes. His memory of it - though a record- player, not a band, played the Anthem - is remarkably clear and he calls it "probably my most memorable moment in rugby", admitting that "Rhymney played far better than we did and deserved to win."

He went on:
".... On a cold winter's night, finding Rhymney was a deed in itself but the welcome was warm, exceedingly warm. The game had been stage-managed perfectly, a capacity-plus crowd filled the high, exposed ground, the local band occupied the centre of the field and invited partisans to open their lungs and practise their voices for better things. The players stood cold for the two National Anthems and an almighty roar heralded the kick-off, and a tremendous upfield surge from the Rhymney pack. Suffice to say that Llanelli were outplayed, out-tackled and, with but three minutes to the final whistle, were trailing and to all intents and purposes were out of the Cup. And then came the near miracle in the form of an Andy Hill try in the corner. Those impressed with the community spirit in Welsh rugby would have been most impressed with Rhymney's display that night......."  

Indeed they would.

(Taken from Philip Atkinson's "100 Years of Rhymney Rugby 1882-1982")

1963-1964

The Super Sixties

 David Pulsford, points machine

The era of scoring-machine and Welsh triallist David Pulsford saw a points bonanza in the 1960s. Rhymney were amongst the country's top-scoring sides, with 836 in 1963-64 and 808 in 1964-65.

"Rugger Sports editor, Stuart Weaving, was organising tour parties to accompany the Welsh XV visiting South Africa in May 1964 and the opportunity arose at short notice for a team to make the trip and play several top class games there. Jack Goode saw the opportunity despite the daunting cost and limited time available and it was decided to aim to put Rhymney even more firmly on the map by participating in this globe-trotting exercise. Unable to meet the expenses alone, equally ambitious Glynneath were contacted, and after a hurried Aberdare meeting with their Secretary, Tom Jones, a joint party of nine players and one official each for the three-week tour was decided upon. Availability was obviously a problem but the nine players eventually selected to travel were Pulsford, Robbins, Price, Iles, Tomlin, Roberts, Jeffrey, Buckland and Bernard Williams. There were to be changes however. The mercurial and magical Don Price tragically broke a leg in the Aberystwyth game immediately prior to the trip (helping explain that somewhat shock defeat), and Peter Williams stepped in. David Pulsford and official Jack Goode fell foul of their Education Committee's views on tours to apartheid-ridden South Africa; not then as publicly debated an issue in Britain, the system nevertheless left several county councils in no doubt as to their opposition. The clubs were also in receipt of correspondence urging them not to support the tour and both the Captain-elect and the inspirer of the visit found themselves refused permission for unpaid leave of absence. Peter Richardson then made the side, while after a tense meeting, dramatic phone calls and dashes for injections, Financial Secretary Gwyn Shorey was Rhymney's official to travel. Chairman Handel Merrick and Assistant Secretary John Meade were amongst the unlucky ones.

Equipped (with the help of the local Smith's Clothing Factory) with distinctive green blazers which became a Club tradition, with an especially designed blazer badge and red jerseys with a giant leek emblem, Rhymney's ten joined the combined party travelling with the 'Rugger Sportsmen's Club'. Amongst those due to fly were rugby personalities including the great Billy Trew - "50 years on!" - Bleddyn Williams, Nick Carter, Tudor James, and so on. After the pre-tour dinner, the party flew south on 13th May, some £2,000 having had to be raised by Rhymney in just two months, with many generous sponsors named in the Appeal Fund lists. Generously proportioned players and supporters - thirteen 'on the trot' over 215lbs. - meant over-weight on the plane, so the pantry crockery and cutlery were "jettisoned"; a giant leek survived, only to be confiscated at immigration! While the Welsh side struggled somewhat, especially in the 24-3 Test hiding which opened eyes to the need for a new Welsh approach and heralded coaching, the "junior Welsh XV", as Rhymney-Glynneath came to be called, performed splendidly against very powerful opposition.

Combined and invitation sides tended to provide it, as the tourists joined in South African rugby's 75th anniversary festivities. Several of the games were curtain-raisers for the Welsh side's encounters, while large distances were travelled between games and between most memorable sight-seeing trips. Table Mountain, The Kruger National Park, the fabulous "Blue Train", and Bantu tribal dances were amongst the highlights and postcards home stressed the unforgettable nature of the trip and the toughness of the rugby in 80-degree heat. Cape Town University "guested" five Springboks and two junior Boks in their 27-16 win; while international stars Ray McLoughlin (Ireland) and Phil Hawthorne (Australia) were in the combined side; Wellington were beaten 16-6; at Durban the hosts chose from seven clubs, included twelve Natal players, and won 41-9; in Northern Transvaal the Pretoria Harlequins were beaten 19-11; then the party moved into Johannesburg for the final match.

A fine colour print shows the side before that game, an epic against the "millionaires", the Wanderers Club, with John Jeffrey and Mike Robbins among the outstanding personalities of the day and the whole tour. The Welshmen hit back to grab a try three minutes from time and snatch a breath-taking one point win. Three out of five against out-of-proportion opposition was a splendid outcome and the welcoming party at Newport Station on 3rd June had good reason to be proud. Bill Clement's letter on behalf of the Welsh Rugby Union set the seal:

"I am directed to extend to you ..... congratulations on the excellence of the report submitted. The success which the combined side achieved, both on and off the field, reflects great credit on both the Rhymney and Glynneath clubs and my Committee deeply appreciates the contribution to the prestige of Welsh rugby made by both clubs while in South Africa." Nevertheless the Welsh Rugby Union was soon to issue a directive that in future no such "accompanying" tour might be made at the same time as the national side!"

(Taken from Philip Atkinson's "100 Years of Rhymney Rugby 1882-1982")

1913-1914

Rhymney 4 v Cross Keys 3

In the competitive but low-scoring Monmouthshire League just before the First World War, Rhymney battled to hold their own. They had limited success, but in the closing days of the 1913-14 season, beat Cross Keys 4-3 at the Eisteddfod Field in what proved a big blow for the visitors. Johnny Jones, an early historian of the club, recalled:

"The season was drawing to a close and Cross Keys and Pill Harriers were at the top of the League table. There was only one point dividing these teams. Cross Keys wanted two points to win the League outright. They came to Rhymney and everyone thought the result was a foregone conclusion. They came and brought a large crowd of supporters along with them. They had everything to be jubilant over. They were on top and Rhymney were very lowly placed in the League. The game had only been in existence about fifteen minutes when their crack wing, Bowden, scored a corner try. The Cross Keys supporters yelled so loudly that they could be heard in Twyn Carno and the lower part of Rhymney. The place kick failed. Rhymney pegged away at them. A scrum was formed in the Cross Keys twenty-five. Rhymney heeled from the scrum and the Rhymney half-back dropped a goal. This put that Rhymney team one point up as there were four points for a dropped goal and three for a try. Half-time arrived and Rhymney were leading.

The second half commenced and the Cross Keys players were highly keyed up. They tried every trick they knew. Time was drawing to a close but they could not do anything right, try as they may. The Rhymney defence held out and they were the victors of a memorable game. There was great excitement at Pill that night when the result became known at Newport that Cross Keys had been defeated and that Pill Harriers had won the coveted Gold Medals."

One feels Rhymney deserved such a result - even if it was doing a favour for a Pill side who had been their arch-tormentors in the League!

(Taken from Philip Atkinson's "100 Years of Rhymney Rugby 1882-1982")