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THE FIRST MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO ASDA LEAGUE WELSH RUGBY NEW
£1.30
www.clubhousewales.com
CLIVE ROWLANDS
Top CatEXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Action As it happens
LEAGUE
KIDWELLY RFC’SUp and Coming Player
Ballet& the
BeastsBred in Heaven
Try it once and be converted
clubHouse
Health
Expert Advice
Results
News
A celebration of all things Welsh
What happens when rugby lads learn to dance
Plus
02 clubHouse
Contents
ONCE AGAIN, THE Millennium Stadium was alight with celebration and jubilation this weekend. But this time the Welsh team watched from the sidelines as the Six Nations champions were crowned.
It’s been a turbulent tournament, with the on-field action looking lacklustre in comparison to the off-field furore. But at least the uproar has proved we’re passionate about our rugby here in Wales—that we care who’s leading our national team. So we’ve devoted an entire page to lifting the nation, rallying the troops and showcasing the unsung heroes of the ASDA leagues.
Because as our feature with local legend Clive Rowlands shows, without local rugby the national game wouldn’t exist. From the Aberdare boys whipped by Italian side Leonessa to the Pontllanfraith lads who pirouetted around the pitch for clubHouse’s exercise experiment, you’re all heroes.
That’s why we’re looking forward to meeting you all. But, in the meantime, keep sending us your news and views and don’t forget to log on to www.clubhousewales.com for daily ASDA league updates, as well as competitions, photos and all your favourites from the magazine.
FEATURED TEAMDivision Three South East Brecon RFC: The young team battling for promotion
This Issue
03
The team: Hattie Brett-Miller (editor), Andrew Gwilym (deputy editor), James Anthony (design), Andy Pierce (online), Alex Brownsell (deputy online), Mhairi Montgomery (production editor), Laura Davies (listings), Oliver Pickup (features), Matt Aplin (writer), Laura Male (writer), Hannah Gilchrist (news), Bethan Davies (writer), Jill Park (features), Emma Shipley (writer), and Jamie Darlow (chief sub)
Kick Off
04
09
11
14
16
18
22
LOCAL LEGEND: CLIVE ROWLANDS On beginning at Abercrave RFC, captaining Wales on his debut and coaching Gareth Edwards
WRU WOES Is Welsh rugby in crisis? Professor Dai Smith, clubhouse chairmen and the fans have their say
DIRTY DANCING Blood, sweat and tu-tus: what happened when the burly ASDA league lads met a ballerina
HEALTH AND FITNESSExpert sports dietitian Jane Griffin answers queries on chips, coffee and chomping vitamins
NEWS This fortnight’s most important news from the five ASDA leagues
Half Time
YOUR VIEWSPictures, letters, news and views from you and your clubhouse
LISTINGSResults and tables from all five ASDA leagues plus fixtures for the coming fortnight
Final Whistle
Noticeboard
Get in Touch [email protected]
07968 203 967www.clubhousewales.com
Welcome to
06UP AND COMING PLAYERDon’t spill beer on this page, because Kidwelly RFC’s Stuart Morris is one for the future
Regular Fixtures
07
10
08PLUS: THE PATRIOT PAGE Summer’s round the corner, we dodged the wooden spoon, and we still love Welsh rugby
TRIED & TESTED: ENERGY BARS A guide to what will give you more energy than the Energizer bunny—and actually taste nice
OI, REF!David Davies, our favourite merry whistle blower, explains the maul—it’s not as scary as it sounds
06BALLS TEST ASDA league lad Adam Martin versus Bath scrum-half Andy Williams. Who’ll win?
clubHouse
ABERDARE RFC News editor Hannah, with the lads from Leonessa, an Italian touring side who beat Aberdare 40-12. clubHouse joined in the celebrations afterwards, when Dai Young and Lyn Howells said they liked issue one.
CROESYCEILIOG RFC The clubHouse team were wined and dined by the Gwent club at their Sportsman Dinner, and chatted to Dragons’s coaches Paul Turner and Leigh Jones about the problems facing the Celtic League outfit.
One Off
On the cover
clubHouse on tour
Kick Off
03clubHouse
ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS of the WRU, Brecon RFC has been a formidable force in Division Three South East. The club has finished in the top half of the league every season since promotion there four years ago. And last year, they stormed to a commanding 23-0 victory over Abercrave, taking the prestigious John Jeffreys Breconshire Cup, too. All this with 20 members of the first team squad former Brecon youth players.
“We are a club who rely on young local talent,” says chairman Ron Rowsell, who believes their self sufficient attitude to replenishing their playing ranks is key to Brecon’s success. “We are lucky. We have a very successful mini and junior section and the youth team is a strong integral part of the club.”
Community spirit is something Brecon have in abundance. “Brecon’s a great club. Our boys give it their all out there on the pitch and our committee work hard behind the scenes to help Brecon thrive,” says committee member Norman Jones. “Everyone in the community gets involved somehow—it’s just like that here.”
And with the club’s progressive and proactive attitude, it’s not surprising the players are so loyal. “The main aim of the club is to provide the best possible facilities for our players in order for them to reach their full potential. In 2000 we opened
our new pavilion which includes four changing rooms and showers, a weight training room, kitchen, referee’s room, physio room, and a hospitality room. We’re also planning to add lights onto the field in the near future,” Rowsell explains.
Currently sixth in Division Three South East, and trailing leaders Treherbert by 20 points, Rowsell admits that Brecon have to be more consistent in order to reach their potential. “The best run of results came at the start of the season when we won our first five matches and drew the
sixth,” he says. “Since then we’ve been less consistent, but I’d like to think we can recapture that form between now and the end of the season.”
But Rowsell is keen to remind sceptics that Brecon’s team is not the finished article quite yet. “We hope that we can fulfil the true potential of the team. We’re a young squad and we have narrowly lost a number of games through our own mistakes,” he says. “We are learning all the time though, and hopefully we can make the most of the collective talent available.”
The StatsColours:
Established:
Captain:
Ones to watch:
Famous old boys:
Home ground:
Top fact:
Red/White hoops
1879 as one of the founder members of the WRU
Peter Owens
Martyn Jones and Mike Chappelle, 2nd team players
Mark Wyatt (Swansea & Wales), Andy Powell (Newport, Llanelli, Cardiff & Wales)
Parc de Pugh
18 first team players came from the youth team
www.breconrfc.co.uk
Young and eager for success, Brecon RFC are building a team for the future
Check out your club’s profile on the clubHouse website:
www.clubhousewales.com
BreconFeatured Team
“The youth team is a strong integral part
of the club
What? No Llanfairpwllgwyngychgo-gerychwyndrobwyllandysuliogogogoch?
It’s not because we can’t spell it. It’s because we don’t know about it. So don’t complain, send stories to [email protected]
Want more?Visit www.clubhousewales.com for all the latest news
LaugharneLAUGHARNE RFC’S LONG RUN of victories has finally come to an end, after losing 15-0 to Lampeter RFC last weekend.
The club hasn’t lost a game since the beginning of the year.
They even beat Division Three West champions Penclawdd RFC 28-23. But last weekend, they hit their first stumbling block of the season.
“Lampeter was an ill-tempered game,” said Alun Jenkins, Laugharne club manager. “They didn’t allow us to play. We’ve had a few injury problems and it’s not a massive squad, so we had to make the best of what we had.”
On 25 March the teams will face each other again, only this time on Laugharne soil. “We’ll have that home advantage,” said Jenkins. “The team always perform better at home and realistically we hope to be in the top three by the end of the season.”
IT’S BEEN A BAD SEASON FOR Hendy RFC. Not only have they been cursed with bad weather, but they are yet to win a single match this season.
The team are 12 points adrift at the bottom of Division Three West. Committee member Dai Timothy puts the team’s bad luck down to their own lack of staying power.
“We’ve been struggling. It’s because of players not turning up for training and a few players retiring. We’re also waiting for fresh talent to come through from the youth team,” says Dai. “Every club has a rough year and this is ours.”
Hendy
TRIMSARAN RFC ARE TAKING ENTRIES for the 18th annual Jonathan Davies youth sevens tournament, scheduled for Saturday 27 May.
Organisers expect 24 clubs to participate and divide into eight groups of three teams.
There are three cups on offer, with the winners of the prestigious Jonathan Davies Cup also receiving £250.
“The tournament is sponsored by Trimsaran’s legendary old boy Jonathan Davies, and it’s always a great success,” said Stuart Jones, secretary for the club.
And this year it’s not just about the games. There will be a grand marquee erected with full bar, plus TV and barbeque facilities all day, making the tournament a great social, as well as rugby occasion.
Trimsaran
DUNVANT RFC IS REELING THIS WEEK AFTER THEIR CAPTAIN, PAUL ‘FISHY’ Morris, was ruled out for three months.
Paul Morris, 41, who is both captain and coach, received a blow to his head in the last minute of the cup match against Maesteg Quins RFC in the
Konica Cup on 18 February. Fishy, nicknamed because of his alcohol tolerance, fractured his cheek bone in two
places. The number eight now has a metal plate in place and doctors have advised Paul not to train for at least six weeks.
Prop Anthony Piper will take over captaincy duties until Paul returns.
Dunvant
CHRIS JENKINS, the star player of First Division high flyers Bonymaen RFC, has undergone surgery for cancer
after a random drugs test exposed the problem.
Jenkins, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer after Bony’s cup exit, had the operation to remove the tumour last week.
Club spokesman Tudor Jones, was happy to say Jenkins was out of hospital just in time to watch his team’s hard fought 6-0 win over Cwmllynfell RFC at the weekend.
“The lads have been giving him plenty of banter and the club wish him all the best,” Jones said.
Bonymaen
04 clubHouse
Kick Off
NEWSCroesyceiliog
TAFF’S WELL RFC ARE DOWN UNDER THIS MONTH AS ONE of their star players joins his Kenyan international squad for the Commonwealth Games.
Teddy Omondi, a student at Glamorgan University, joined his team mates to play in the rugby Sevens tournament. Despite losing
to Wales 33 -0, the Kenyans went on to win the Bowl Final against Tonga 26 -12. “He’s a great player and we just want him back for our next six games,” said
Taff’s Well club secretary, Mike Gibbons.
Taff’s Well
CROESYCEILIOG RFC ARE SET TO REINTRODUCE SECOND team rugby to the club after an absence of over 10 years.
With the recent graduation of 10 youth players the first team squad has swelled to over 30 members and a second team is being introduced to ensure that
everyone gets to play on a regular basis.But Cockerels chairman Colin Wilmott warns the venture may fail if
it does not receive enough support. “It’s not going to be easy,” he says. “The reason we stopped before was because players didn’t support it. But as someone who captained the second team, it’s always good for atmosphere in the club to have two teams.”
Croesyceiliog are appealing for volunteers to help run the new side. “We’ll be looking for an additional coach to work with the first team management and others to help out on a Saturday,” he says. “If there’s anyone who’s willing, then we’d love to hear from them.”
TWO VETERAN RUGBY players came out of retirement for a match at Ystrad Rhondda RFC last week, to make up for lack of players.
Bradley Watts from Ystrad Rhondda and Glen George, a former Welsh international from Fleur De Lys RFC, both gave their all in the match but failed to help the team to a victory. Ystrad eventually lost 10–5.
Fleur De Lys’s club spokesman, Alan Evans was impressed with Glen’s performance. “Glen may be well into his 40s but he loves getting his boots back on,” he said. “His body is not what it used to be and his recovery time is greater than some of the younger lads. But he has been a real asset to us.”
Ystrad Rhondda
THE FUTURE OF BRIDGEND ATHLETIC RFC LOOKS BRIGHT AFTER three youth team members joined the Welsh under-18 side last week.
Flanker Johnny Jones captained the team, who beat the Italians 18-13 in Rome.
Scrum-half Rhys Webb also started and Kyle Maiden came on as a substitute in the second half.
Bridgend’s spokesman Adrian Burt, was pleased with the success. “This is the fruition of our excellent mini and junior set up and a tribute to coaches and organisers of all age groups within the club,” he said.
Bridgend Athletic
ABERCRAVE RFC’S YOUTH TEAM HAS HAD plenty to celebrate recently.
The last fortnight has seen the Swansea Valley club claim a gruelling victory over local rivals Ystradgynlais RFC and score their
hundredth try in the twentieth game of the season. Given the team’s preference for playing attractive rugby, it
was ironic the hundredth try came from a rolling maul.Coach Julian Hopkins praised his team. “It’s been great to
work with the boys this season and we’ve played some fantastic rugby at times,” he said. “We’ve won our league and hope to continue the rest of the season in the same way.”
Abercrave clubHouse
05clubHouse
There’s no hiding place on the rugby field or in our very own balls test. clubHouse finds out whether the ASDA league boys are as tough as the pros.
ADAM MARTIN Loose-head prop for Haverfordwest RFC, currently in Division Three West. He came over from Hamilton, New Zealand in 2004 with a six month work permit. He ended up staying two years.
ANDY WILLIAMSBath scrum-half with three caps for Wales. The former footballer has struggled with injury of late but is back on track and ready to go. clubHouse’s balls test is his first stop.
Would you be tempted to play American Football for the right money?
Can you down a pint of ale in less than five seconds?Have you ever been caught drinking a Bacardi Breezer by a team mate?
Have you ever had more than five stitches in a single injury?
Have you ever scored a try from inside your own half?
Would you take on Andy Sheridan in an arm wrestle?
Would you take on Scarlets dustbin Martyn Madden in a Burger King guts-out?
Yeah, definitely! I’d never be tempted by money. I don’t play sport for the money, I play because I enjoy it.
Yes, pretty damn sure. Especially if it’s Guinness because there’s no bubbles. Yes. No hesitation.
No. Strictly Jack Daniels and Cokefor me.
No. I have caught a team mate though, but I’m not naming any names.
Luckily, no. A broken ankle is the worst I’ve ever had.
Yes, on four separate occasions. In my eye, head, ear and mouth.
No, never. Unfortunately. Yes. I did it against Harlequins a few seasons ago.
Hell yeah. And I’d win — Kiwi power beats English power any day of the week. Guaranteed.
Yeah, I’d have a go.
That’d be nasty. But I’d give it a crack, for sure.
I know Martyn. I’d take him on but I couldn’t beat him.
Balls
Test 0
½
1
½
0
1
Martin loses points for being scared of bubbles while downing a pint. Aww, do they hurt your likkle nosey? He pulls back though, with a defiant challenge to Andy Sheridan. A strong start from Williams, particularly for having had more stitches than Jackie Chan. Despite tailing off with an admission of failure in the guts-out, Williams is the clear victor.
1
4FINAL SCORE
A MAUL OCCURS WHEN A PLAYERcarrying the ball is held by an opponent and is supported by a team mate.
A maul therefore consists of at least three players, all on their feet — the ball carrier and one player from each team. All the players involved must be bound to the maul and must be on their feet and moving towards a goal line. Open play has ended.
Any player looking to joining a maul must
do so from behind the feet of their hindmost team-mate.
Players must not take any actions to collapse the maul. However, the ball carrier is allowed to go to ground to set up a ruck.
The offside line for non-participants in the maul is the hindmost foot. If a maul is stationary for five seconds the referee can demand that the side in possession move the ball out of the maul.
1
1
1
1
1
½
½
6
06 clubHouse
DAVID DAVIES
WRU Referee
OI REF!What’sa maul?
[email protected] of the following people was
this said about?
a David Campese
b Pope John Paul II
c Luke Charteris
d Bill Clinton
e Craig Quinnell
The answer is “d”, but they have all played rugby. Pope JP II played for Poland.
Who’s that then?
“He was by no means
athletic, in fact a bit
lumpy, but made an
excellent second
row forward.”
Kick Off
07clubHouse
Up and coming player: Stuart Morris
Left Stradey School Llanelli in 2004. Currently an apprentice carpenter
Listening to music and playing five-a-side football
Scarlets
Carlos Spencer
Work as hard as I can to become a professional rugby player
Playing for the Scarlets under-20s team against the Gwent Dragons at Narbeth. Probably because we won 35-8
11 years. “That’s a long time isn’t it?”
Outside-Half
Kidwelly RFC
10/3/1987
Club:D.O.B:Position:
“Stuart has the potential to make it as a professional rugby player. For someone so young he is very strong in defence but he needs to improve his speed. He is an all-round great player and an asset to the team.”
Kidwelly CoachRyan Powell
Years at Club:Best rugby moment:
Aim for the future:
Favourite Player:Favourite Team:Hobbies/Interests:
Education:
Llanharan’s badge was introduced in 1953. Its design symbolises the history of the local area, with four quarters depicting the church, farming, mining and Llanharan spaniels. The black cross dividing the badge is in remembrance of the victims of the Llandow air disaster, in which an aeroplane carrying eight local supporters crashed on Llandow airfield on its way back from a Dublin international.
SEAN PITT AND his two brothers Simon and Dean have been playing rugby together for Brynithel RFC (Division Two East) for over fifteen years. Sean’s favoured position is flanker whilst Dean plays at scrum-half and Simon is a winger. “At one point there were five of us brothers playing in the team. One of them coaches the youth team now but there are still three of us playing together,” Sean says.
He describes his household when he
was young as a bit of a scrum with five rugby-mad boys running riot. Despite his siblings being able to look after themselves, Sean still feels protective over them. “If there’s ever a fight on the pitch, I’m first to run over to help them out. You have to be really don’t you?” he says.
He reckons he holds bragging rights though when asked who the best player is. “Oh, that’s got to be me, hasn’t it? All my brothers would agree with that,” he jokes.
Family MattersWhen you’re diving into that ruck, you need to
know your team-mates have got you covered.
It’s even better when those backing you up are
your own flesh and blood
Kick Off
Kick Off
08 clubHouse
Lift Ye Nation
Oh I’m a welsh supporter, now that’s just what I am,
And for the men in blazers, I do not give a damn,
Mike Ruddock brought us victory, the Grand Slam it was won,
But they don’t give a monkey’s, for all that he has done.
JEMMA, 25, AND YSABEL, 23, ARE daughters of Tumble RFC manager, Ewan Hunt. Three years ago they started a website to showcase the club and chronicle the team’s progress in Division Three West. “At every match my sister Ysabel will take photos of the team and afterwards I’ll write up a match report, and then it all goes on the website,” Jemma explains.
The girls have always been into
the game. “My dad has played rugby all my life so it’s always been rugby, rugby, rugby in our house,” says Ysabel. But it was only when Ewan became manager of Tumble RFC, they decided to start the website. “Nobody had one in our division but we thought it would be a good addition to the team,” says Jemma. They like to think of themselves as the pioneers of websites, which have now taken
off at other clubs in the ASDA league. Tumble’s boys are always making suggestions, too. They recently asked for a forum so they could interact more with the site.
The idea’s even growing on their dad. “He didn’t really understand it to start with,” says Jemma. “But he is always logging on there now, checking out what the players are doing and keeping tabs on them.”
Cymru Am Byth
1 2 3 4 5
Behold Ye Unsung Heroes
Check out Tumble RFC’s website at www.tumblerfc.com
The future is bright with the under-19s winning the Grand Slam and the under-21s showing promise. Watch this space, because fly-half James Hook will be a star.
Whoever he is, a new national coach will breathe new life and fresh ideas into the team. We’ll be in fighting form again, just in time for the next World Cup.
Wales have the best fans in the world. No matter what the sporting performance, when we see that flag and hear Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, our hearts fill with pride.
Llanelli Scarlets have taken on and beaten the pride of England, storming their way to the Powergen Cup Final at Twickenham in early April. Dai bach y soldiwr!
The Old Enemy isn’t faring much better. If you’re not convinced, watch the video of England dying on their arses in Paris and smile for a full 80 minutes. Result.
With the Six Nations wooden spoon narrowly avoided and the WRU in crisis, Grand Slam glory is a distant memory. But even with morale at an all-time low, there are still reasons to be proud of Welsh rugby.
Fill Thy Hearts With SongWe trawled the ASDA league clubhouses for the most stirring song—and found this naughty little ditty. Sing along to the tune of My Old Man’s a Dustman.
I hate the men in blazers and everything they do,
They lie and think they’re clever, but don’t fool me or you,
I hate our rugby union, they’ve never done us good,
I think that they should all resign, I really wish they would.
ASDA league rugby’s not just about the big boys charging through tackles. It’s the passionate people working behind the scenes who make the game what it is.
Why?
BAD GRUB GOOD GRUB
Health FitnessAsk the Expert
Jane Griffin has more letters after her name than you’ve had doner kebabs. She’s the RFL’s consultant nutritionist, and here to advise you on the best foods for strength and health
Q How can I make sure my diet is well-balanced?
Q How important is hydration in the lead up to a match?
You need plenty of carbohydrates (cereals, bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes), a reasonable amount of protein (lean meat, fish, dairy and baked beans), plus loads of fresh fruit and vegetables. And try to avoid high fat foods like butter, oil, mayonnaise, and pastry.
Everyone should try to keep well hydrated on a day to day basis. Drink plenty of water and for every caffeinated drink you have, drink an extra glass of water. Plus, have an energy drink at hand for before and after the game to keep sugar levels up.
If your diet contains a wide variety of foods and fluids, you shouldn’t need vitamin and mineral supplements. But if you think you need a top-up take a general multivitamin or jointcare supplement every day.
+
Q Will eating badly before a game affect my performance? Not eating enough carbohydrate-rich foods can mean you won’t start the match with full stores of fuel in your muscles. This means you might miss tackles, have a slower running speed and weakness in the scrum towards the end of the game. Q Should I be taking vitamin supplements?
Q I’m recovering from a long-term injury. Any diet tips? Although energy intake will be less it’s still important to make sure your diet contains adequate amounts of protein, zinc, calcium and sources of low fat, good quality protein. Q Any foods I should ban from my diet? Not really. It’s the overall balance of the daily, weekly and monthly diet that is important rather than the one-off bad foods. Chips once a month is ok—just don’t have them every day.
HOW 2Quit fags
“Particles in the smoke irritate the breathing passages causing them to narrow and produce a greater amount of mucus. This reduces the effective surface area for gas exchange, which has a negative effect on performance. Smoke also contains carbon monoxide which combines easily with the blood and starves muscles of oxygen.”
2Nicotine Replacement TherapyPatches, gum, nasal spray, lozenges, the list goes on. Find what works for you.
3AcupunctureThere’s no medical proof, but many ex-smokers swear by it. And the needles don’t hurt.
1Cold Turkey The obvious one. Hard to begin with, but it does get easier. Be brave.
4ZybanA new non-nicotine drug available on prescription. It suppresses the brain’s response to the buzz.
5NHS Stop Smoking Services For practical advice and support, call the free helpline on 0800 1690 169.
Jane Smart, Sports Dietitian
•Try not to light up three hours before you kick off
•Reduce how much you smoke before the match
•Chew gum and drink water when you get a craving
•Find another way to calm your nerves
Quit for good
Top tips
09clubHouse
Grilled salmonOmega-3 fatty acids found in salmon help maintain a healthy heart.
Fruit smoothieGet the advised five portions of fruit in one go. Bargain.
Steak & vegRed meat is packed with iron and keeps energy levels up.
Fish & chipsThis takeaway is full of salt. Too much can dehydrate your body.
Bacon buttyFried bacon is high in cholesterol that can block arteries.
Doner kebabGrease, salt and dodgy meat. Need we say more?
Kick Off
Health Fitness+TRIED&TESTEDNRG BARS
SIS GO Bar
Grape, cherry and pineapple pieces—this bar is rammed with fruit. But don’t let that put you off. It’s sweet and juicy and if you can ignore the gritty oat texture you’ll forget it’s healthy.
Cherry Vanilla
What you need:Bite-size pieces of beef½ a sliced onion1 clove of garlic, crushedA few sliced mushroomsSome broccoli heads1 sliced red pepperA bag of mixed veg A cup of riceA splash of vegetable oil
What to do:1. Bring the water to the boil and add the rice. Leave to cook for 20 minutes.2. Heat the oil in a wok and add the onions. Fry until translucent. 3. Add the beef and garlic. Fry until brown.4. Add the mushrooms, pepper, broccoli and bag of mixed veg.5. Stir for about 8 minutes.6. Dish it up, tuck in and get going.
BRAWNYBITESProtein, carbs and veg — Beef Stir Fry has got it all. And it’ll leave you bursting with energy for the big game
Next issue
10 clubHouse
Kick Off
High 5 Sports BarChocolate coated caramel
89p
Looks and tastes like chocolate flapjack so you’ll wolf this down. But it’s slightly too sickly to have before a game. Make this your final whistle reward instead.
Boots Energy BarToffee and banana
99p
Saturated with sugar and toffee, this is so chewy it feels like it would rip out a filling. Oh, and it tastes like stale Christmas pudding without the alcohol. And that’s the best part.
Put your back into it Give all your major muscle groups an Olympic workout. Olympic lifts are multi-joint exercises which require players to exert force against the ground, which is similar to most rugby movements.
These lifts not only work your back, but every other muscle in your body. When you lift the bar off the ground and hold the position, all the muscles from your waist down are getting a huge workout, including your hamstrings, calves and glutes. When you lift the bar to your chest and then above your head, you’re working your upper-body muscles such as your biceps and six pack.
Olympic Lifts
Ask a gym
instructor
for advice o
n
the size of
weights
Top 3 energy gels Suss the supplements Ask the expert: physio Andrew Seary
Learn how to stay injury-free all season with top tips from our expert
A safe way to start this lift is to practice each movement individually with light weights on the bar so you can perfect your technique. Although poor technique can lead to injury, when implemented properly there is no risk of excessive harm. Any exercise involving lifting works the muscles that you’ll use in a game situation and will therefore increase your power for the match.
99p
11clubHouse
Half Time
Blood, sweat and tu-tusA cold, wind-beaten, rain-soaked pitch in the Gwent Valley. Fifteen men, one ballet dancer. The brief: to teach big burly lads the art of ballet — grace, balance and co-ordination. The selling point? Stretchy, bendy bodies — perfect for post-match play.
BY BETHAN DAVIES, JILL PARK & LAURA MALE
Have you ever used dance as part of your training?We do a stretching based exercise every time we
train. The leg stretches are the same, but we don’t follow through with any of the dance aspect, like the arms.
What is your normal training regime?We usually do a bit of running then stop for three minutes and do some lower half and lower back stretches. We end up finishing with the neck before we do contact practice.
Will your players be embarrassed at the idea of doing dance?I dare say there’s a little bit of embarrassment as there is with anything new. Some nights it’s a bit of an effort to get the youngsters to stretch. They think they don’t need to.
Who will benefit most?The youngsters seem to be having a lot of fun with it, but it will probably be of more use to the older players.
Who will be more open to the idea of using dance training do you think, the older or younger players?We probably shouldn’t do it as a group exercise. Perhaps we should take the front row aside to do some stretches.
Is this something you will use for training in the future?If the players find it warms them up well we might take it on.
“Dance training improves balance, coordination, muscle flexibility and agility in players,” says physiotherapist Dr Marie Alricsson, who investigated the benefits of dance for cross country skiers at Mid Sweden University.
“It gives them better rhythm, balance and timing which is always needed in ball sports. It also prevents injuries and improves body performance. Overall, dance training lets the team have fun together.”
The Swedish national sailing team used the technique before the Olympic Games in Sydney 2000 and Rosenborg Football Club in Norway have used dance training since the 1980s. Rugby is a high risk sport like football and teams use the back forward-bend a large part of the time. This gives the effect of muscles shortening on the hip and weakening in the abdomen. The hamstrings also get short with an intensive sport activity like rugby. Dance training gives an all-round body exercise and can therefore balance high level, sport specific training.
12 clubHouse
MITCH WHATLEYPontllanfraith coachRUGBY AND BALLET. NOT YOUR OBVIOUS LAGER AND
crisps combo, but buy a bunch of lads enough pints and you can convince them to do anything.
Before Pontllanfraith knew it they were out on the field in tu-tus, pirouetting across the field, leaping through the air, their arabesque’d arms in perfect alignment, toes pointed, arms soft, delicate and flowing, with serene Mona Lisa-like smiles enchanting the spectators below. Alright, not quite.But they gave it a damn good go.
Ballet and dance have long been used in a variety of sports to help with fitness, balance, co-ordination and flexibility. But how difficult was it to convince 15 of Division Three’s finest to take part?
Easy, as it happens. Soon enough the pitch was filled with curious members of Pontllanfraith’s youth and first team, all staring suspiciously at a leg-warmered girl so hyper and bendy they edged away for fear she’d snap and rebound across the pitch. All were excited at the prospect of learning some new techniques for loosening hamstrings that have taken a season’s battering, but most were devilishly eager to impress at home with newfound flexibility.
Pirouettes, pliés and Pontllanfraith
Being flexible improves performance and reduces injury. Many players don’t get into the habit of post-match stretching. Over time, muscles will contract, which hinders flexibility leading to further injury. Ideally, stretching should be performed three times during any exercise session. A gentle stretch before exercise, with a second series after warming up, and a cool-down stretch to finish.
FlexibilityGood posture can make or break you. Back and neck problems are often caused by exercising and completing day to day activities with incorrect posture. Correct posture is an essential part of dance training. It helps by accurately strengthening muscles around the back, shoulders and abdomen, which improves overall performance.
Push your shoulders back and down and arch your back so your pelvis is tilted. Now, angle your pelvis underneath you so your hips are slightly forward and your bottom tucked beneath you. At the same time, pull your stomach in. The best way to do this is to inhale deeply, and then, as you exhale, think of pressing your belly button to your spine. Maintain this position as you exercise. This helps develop core muscles that stabilise your body, letting your arms and legs work productively.
BracingPosture
The Science
Half Time
13
Strong core muscles in the trunk of your body are essential for all athletes. Strengthening these muscles around the abdomen provides further stability for the legs to work and means the stomach can withstand fierce impact. Experiment with a range of exercises that strengthen muscles at the top and bottom of the abdomen, as well as the oblique muscles running sideways across. It is essential whilst completing abdominal exercises that the stomach muscles are braced as described above. This will ensure the muscles develop lengthways as opposed to widthways and won’t hinder movement.
Sit with both legs outstretched, reach your arms above your head and brush them forward, exhaling into the stretch. Make sure you’re lifting up and out of your hips before stretching over, elongating the spine as you’re extending. Repeat 10 times without straining. On the final stretch hold for 10 seconds.
Lying on the floor with your knees bent, round your arms and reach them out in front of you. Begin by lifting your shoulders and neck off the floor with your chin pressed against your chest to protect your neck. Reach firstly to your left, then circle around to the centre, so your hands are outstretched above your knees. Circle again to your right and then retreat to the lying position. Repeat the exercise 10 times, then reverse by circling to your right.
Abdominals
Ab ovalsParallel leg stretch
Half Time
“I was surprised at how many of the squad members found the exercises difficult. They could definitely benefit from investing more time in strengthening their core muscles.”
Her VerdictBETHAN DAVIESDance teacher
I think it could benefit rugby players in the off-season when you need to work on your fitness. During the season people are carrying knocks. I’d definitely give it a try, not just for rugby but for general fitness, too.
We’re always looking for alternative ways of being able to stretch and things like that. I’d like to loosen up as I’m getting onto the end of my days here now. I’m not embarrassed at the prospect of doing dance. As long as it warms up the aches and pains you may have picked up over the years. If it works then it works. That’s what’s important.
Player VerdictPHIL WILLIAMSSecond row
CHRIS BARLOWUnder-17 Coach
To find dance practitioners in your area contact : www.communitydancewales.comFor at-home conditioning, you can follow the New York City Ballet workout DVD.
Teamwork
Try it at your club
clubHouse
When rugby goes wrongMIKE RUDDOCK’S GONE, MOST OF THE FIRST TEAM ARE injured and there’s a general sense of suspicion and distrust of the WRU. It’s fair to say the last month hasn’t been the best for the national side. And it’s all down to Welsh rugby no longer reflecting the society it’s there to serve, according to the foremost authority in Welsh rugby history.
Professor Dai Smith, author of Fields of Praise, a history of the Welsh Rugby Union, says Welsh rugby no longer reflects its roots. Thanks to the introduction of professionalism, with the money, sponsorship and pressure that it brings, a society which traditionally held rugby and coal at its core is being slowly but resolutely marginalised.
Many clubs agree with Smith’s opinion. Phil Hewitt, Tumble RFC chairman, says, “Sometimes I feel people at the top of the national game forget that without local level rugby it would not happen.”
Meanwhile, at national level a history of interference and lack of faith by the WRU have made the Welsh head coaching position something of a poisoned chalice. Smith believes the possible involvement of the players in Ruddock’s departure shows the union has lost touch with its fan base. If so, who can blame caretaker-coach Scott Johnson if he takes up a position in his homeland next season? The Australian rugby authorities certainly appear more competent and their national team benefits because of it.
Australian rugby fans reap the benefits too, able to watch high class rugby for a reasonable price, which is not the situation for some Celtic league teams. Whereas a Super 14s game in Australia costs the punter no more than a fiver, lower standard Celtic league games require the fans to shell out between £15 and £20.
For some fans then, taking their family to the rugby has become a costly business. Alun Lewis from Pontardawe says, “I don’t think the WRU or the regions care about the fans anymore.
It cost me £60
to take my family to watch the Ospreys play Borders recently. I can’t afford that every week.”
In addition, because many of the top games are shown on either Sky Sports, the BBC, or S4C, kick-off times have changed. There is no longer a guarantee of a regular 2.30pm kick-off for fans to enjoy and plan their day around. All this adds up to the simple fact fans are not being put first.
Stuart Jones, secretary of Trimsaran RFC says, “At the top level ticket prices are continually rising, and all the money is going towards sponsorship, hospitality and television.”
Another area where fans are paying top dollar is via the lucrative replica shirt market. The WRU have released a new range of Wales replica shirts for four consecutive years including new jerseys for the 2003 Rugby World Cup and a 125th anniversary away shirt in November 2005. With these shirts priced up to £60, many fans are counting the cost of keeping up with rugby fashion.
“When you consider how often there are new shirts, charging so much for them is daylight robbery,” says Shane Poole of Aberavon. “My son always wants the latest kit but there is only so often you can put your hand in your pocket for another £50.”
This is a far cry from days gone by. While professionalism was always inevitable, there are those who long for the simplicity of the amateur days. Part of the joy of watching the sides of the 1970s came from the fact that many of the players shared the same employment as those in the stands cheering them on. Players like Tom David and Dai Morris would appear for Wales before heading home for a shift down the pit, endearing them to the hearts of a rugby mad nation.
Today’s Millennium Stadium crowd can only dream of the trappings enjoyed by those who wear the red shirt. This has led to some resentment towards those who play and administrate at the top of the game, particularly when the public feel they are not performing well and winning.
This has been evident in the way many clubs have reacted to the current Mike Ruddock debacle, and the
Welsh rugby has looked pretty ropey over the last month. clubHouse investigates what’s gone wrong and whether rugby has lost touch with the people it is meant to serve.
No Welsh shirts were harmed in the making of this picture
Half Time
When rugby goes wrong What do you think? “Money has ruined rugby. Ticket prices are too high. Television is dictating when fans can go and watch their team, and buying a replica shirt is like being robbed.”
“I would love to take my family to a Six Nations game, but they cost roughly £35 each. The WRU are not catering for the fan who has to support his family. Where are the cheaper tickets for children?”
“The way they handled the whole Ruddock thing summed it up for me. It wasn’t about what was good for the game in Wales. It was about what was good for them. They don’t care about fans. As long as they fill out the Millennium Stadium every game, and get their big fat pay cheques they don’t give a damn.”
“The thing that sums it up for me is the price of a match programme. Why are they now anything up to £6? Isn’t it enough if you’ve bought the shirt and a ticket to have a souvenir programme for free? It’s getting ridiculous.”
Welsh rugby has looked pretty ropey over the last month. clubHouse investigates what’s gone wrong and whether rugby has lost touch with the people it is meant to serve.
WRU’s blatant management of the recent Red Zone Roadshows held by Steve Lewis.
One ASDA league chairman, who didn’t want to be named for fear of reprisal from the WRU, told clubHouse, “It was a total PR job. If we had had the call from another club suggesting the establishment of an anti WRU petition, we’d have signed it.”
Phil Hewitt also found the Roadshow provided more questions than answers. “Steve Lewis re-iterated that Mike had stepped down for family reasons but until we get those words from Mike’s mouth it’s difficult to know who to believe. And considering they’ve put a confidentiality clause on his resignation, we’re never going to know exactly what went on,” he says.
Alan Lewis of Tenby RFC believes the WRU must listen to the needs of its clubs to address the current issues in the game. “The WRU must realise it’s owned by its constituent clubs and is there solely to promote the game of rugby union within Wales, not for individual self gratification and empire building,” he says.
“We must employ professionals to administer the game professionally without politics or parochialism. We must take a step back, look at the bigger picture, take a grip of this great institution and stop false patriots taking the WRU and Welsh rugby into oblivion.”
Thomas Edwards, 67, Newport
Have your say [email protected]
Andrews Simons, 42, Gabalfa
Jonathan Morgan, 26, Carmarthen
Stephanie O’Connor, 38, Llanharan
“Money is the root of all evil. Just look at how ridiculous money’s got in football. I hoped it wouldn’t affect rugby, but it has. Everything is much more expensive than it needs to be.”Dafydd Simons, 69, Nantyglo “When you consider that Graham Henry was paid a quarter of a million pounds to coach Wales is it any wonder that tickets and shirts are so high. That money has to come from somewhere. Sadly it’s the fans who are paying through the nose.”Jim Edwards, 24, Pontypool
“I do have some sympathy with the WRU. Any business has to make a profit and that includes the WRU. But some prices are just too expensive. I will never pay £65 for a replica shirt.”Matthew Sampson, 32, Pembroke
BY OLIVER PICKUP
“AUSTIN HEALEY IS THE BEST SCRUM-HALF IN THE world.” Ten words guaranteed to stir any Welshman’s blood. But this is none other than Wales’s own legendary scrum-half Clive Rowlands making this claim. We know Welsh rugby has gone a bit crazy lately, but surely not this crazy.
Thankfully it’s just the famous Rowlands humour kicking in. His face cracks into a smile and he laughs, “Don’t worry I’m only joking. He’s nowhere near as good as Dwayne Peel. He’s the best.” clubHouse is mightily relieved.
During his playing career Rowlands was considered one of the finest scrum-halves of his era. The youngster initially honed his skills playing for Cwmllynfell Youth. “The beauty of village sport was that you would always have a ball and you would use your jumper for a goal post or a try line. This helped us to develop natural ball skills and certainly inspired me to play,” he says.
Rowlands also believes that his education at Maesydderwen School gave him and many others the skills required to be good sportsmen. “Key parts of my development at Maesydderwen were the wide range of skills I picked up. I did football, where if you work on your right foot they made you play on the left so you would
ROWLIN’ BACK THE YEARS
become more confident,” he says. “I did gymnastics which as a scrum-half improved my flexibility. And of course athletics helped to work on areas such as pace. It was a great place to grow up and the opportunity existed to become a good all round sportsman.”
Rowlands is also grateful he was free to play as often as he liked on a weekend. “It’s a shame that youngsters today are sometimes
denied the opportunity to play more than once a weekend,” he says. “I used to play for Maesydderwen School on a Saturday morning and then play for Cwmllynfell Youth in the afternoon. Sometimes I would also play football for Cwm Wanderers on a Sunday morning. That gave me good grounding and a great number of opportunities to develop my rugby skills.
“I really enjoyed playing for Abercrave and other local clubs. There were some great players in the area and it was a rugby education to play alongside them. That enthusiasm for rugby in the Swansea Valley has always been there and remains today.”
After moving on to play for Pontypool, Rowlands won his first cap for Wales against England in 1963, where despite it being his first appearance, he led the team out as captain. “It probably came a bit too soon for me. But it was an incredible honour to lead my
Clive Rowlands tells clubHouse about leading his country, growing up in Cwmtwrch and munching choc ices with Gareth Edwards.
BY ANDREW GWILYM & MHAIRI MONTGOMERY
Clive ‘Top Cat’ Rowlands bares his teeth at the thought of Austin Healey
16 clubHouse
Half Time
“You would always have a ball and you would use your jumper for a
try lineOn growing up in Cwmtwrch
country. In those days there was a great responsibility attached to the captaincy. You were required to help coach the team. That meant preparing the team tactically for the up-coming game rather than having any say in the team selection. I was lucky. The experiences I gained from being captain allowed me to move into coaching very easily.”
Rowlands’s second appearance for his country led to a change in the laws of the game. Wales defeated Scotland 6-0, but during the game there were 111 line-outs, the most there has ever been in an international match. Rowlands was blamed for this trend because of his tactical kicking, but the man himself does not feel solely responsible. “We knew the Scottish pack were strong so we needed to keep the ball away from them. Personally, I’m not convinced there were 111 line-outs, but there you go.”
After his retirement at the age of 29, Rowlands moved seamlessly into management and went on to coach the legendary Welsh sides of the 1970s. He has happy memories of working with high calibre players like Gareth Edwards and Barry John. “It was great to work with such gifted footballers. What made it a special experience was that the whole group were such different people but they were a really tight group,” he says. “They all had different jobs. I mean some were coal miners. Others, such as John Dawes, were teachers. But they could all sit and talk together.
“To keep that going we all used to go to the cinema on the Friday night before a game, be it home or away. We would all be there and the team doctor, Jerry Lewis, would go and get us choc ices and lollipops. You’d have all these athletes eating ice cream the night before a game. Those were great evenings,” he says.
Although never a Lions player, Rowlands was an integral part of the 1989 tour to Australia, where under his management the Lions won 2-1. “That was one of the happiest times of my life. I thoroughly enjoyed the 12 weeks on tour. I worked with two great coaches in Ian McGeechan and Roger Uttley and of course we had some of the best players in the world.”
Rugby has changed enormously in recent years and not always for the better, according to Rowlands. “I remember our prop Dai Young was accused of having stamped on an Australian player,” he says. “As team manager I took the decision to suspend Dai for one match so we would be seen to have handled the matter. We announced it to the press and that was the end of the matter. That’s a real contrast to what went on during the Brian O’Driscoll affair last summer.”
Rowlands rounds off by proudly showing us his numerous scrapbooks of press cuttings from his career. A career that saw him captain, coach and manage his country and become president of the WRU. Not bad for a lad from Upper Cwmtwrch.
“We all used to go to the cinema on the Friday night before a game. Jerry Lewis
would get us choc-ices and lollipops
Clive Rowlands
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17clubHouse
Ten ThingsYou Didn’’’’’’’’tKnow’’’’’About:
Rowlands is the only player who has captained Wales on every occasion he has pulled on the red jersey.
His proudest moment as a player came in 1965 when he led Wales to the Triple Crown and Five Nations Championship.
Recently departed coach Mike Ruddock was the most successful Welsh coach since Rowlands left the post 32 years ago.
Rowlands remains the youngest man ever to coach Wales, at the age of 30.
Under Rowlands, Wales would train on the beaches at Afan Lido. Once, when informed the tide was in, Rowlands commanded fly-half Barry John to “send it back out again.” He failed.
Rowlands captained Swansea to their first victory over a touring side since 1935, when they defeated Australia 9-8 in 1996.
As well as coming up with the idea of tactical kicking to defeat Scotland in 1963, Rowlands also dropped an incredible goal from near the touchline to wrap up the win.
Both Clive and his wife Margaret have survived battles with cancer and have set up the Clive Rowlands Cancer Appeal as a result.
After Wales suffered a 49-6 mauling against New Zealand in the 1987 World Cup semi-final, Rowlands joked Wales would just go back to beating England every Five Nations. Wales have only beaten the old enemy four times since.
10 Rowlands was voted Welsh Sportsman of the Year in 1965 after captaining Wales to Five Nations glory.
12/3/2006
Gilfach Goch P - P Ynysybwl
16/3/2006
Pentyrch 20 - 6 Abercwmboi
17/3/2006
Gilfach Goch 22 - 16 Ruthin
Ynysybwl 29 - 13 Tonyrefail
12/3/2006
Hendy 11 - 13 Tumble
Lampeter 15 - 0 Laugharne
Tenby 35 - 21 Newcastle Em.
17/3/2006
Newcastle Em. P - P Penclawdd
Tumble 16 - 15 Laugharne
12/3/2006
Vardre 17 - 5 Tonna
16/3/2006
Nantyffyllon 35 - 6 Tondu
17/3/2006
Kenfig Hill 0 - 3 Vardre
12/3/2006
Chepstow 10 - 25 Monmouth
16/3/2006
Chepstow 25 - 27 Cardiff HSOB
17/3/2006
Crumlin 19 - 14 Monmouth
No fixtures this fortnight
12/3/2006
Banwen 30 - 10 Felinfoel
Kidwelly 28 - 10 Seven Sisters
Pontyberem 22 - 28 Camarthen Ath.
15/3/2006
Dunvant 53 - 13 Kidwelly
16/3/2006
Banwen 24 - 10 Seven Sisters
12/3/2006
Bargoed 25 - 15 Llantwit Fardre
Rumney P - P Brynmawr
16/3/2006
Croesyceiliog 12 - 34 Newport S.
17/3/2006
Brynmawr 12 - 41 Bargoed
Mountain Ash 7 - 5 Llantwit Fardre
12/3/2006
Llanhilleth 28 - 26 Caldicot
Usk 32 - 3 St Josephs
17/3/2006
Machen 18 - 10 Usk
12/3/2006
Swansea Uplands 0 - 39 Burry Port
17/3/2006
Aberaeron 31 - 0 Llangwm
No fixtures this fortnight
16/3/2006
Rhymney 0 - 0 New Tredegar
17/3/2006
Pontypool Utd P - P Cwmbran
Risca 13 - 23 Pontllanfraith
No fixtures this fortnight
10/3/2006
Penarth 32 - 10 Cowbridge
Penygraig P - P Cilfynydd
16/3/2006
Penygraig 3 - 37 Cowbridge
10/3/2006
Aberavon GS P - P Heol y Cyw
Birchgrove P - P Trebanos
17/3/2006
Birchgrove P - P Maesteg Celtic
18 clubHouse
Division 1
7/3/2006
Narberth 8 - 19 Llangennech
10/3/2006
Blackwood 30 - 17 Merthyr
Caerphilly P - P Builth Wells
Llangennech 11 - 19 Beddau
Llanharan 9 - 18 Bonymaen
UWIC 15 - 43 Newbridge
Ystrad Rhondda 5 - 10 Fleur de Lys
17/3/2006
Bonymaen 8 - 18 Beddau
Fleur de Lys 21 - 29 Merthyr
Llanharan 16 - 15 Llangennech
Narberth 30 - 13 Waunarlwydd
Newbridge 21 - 11 Builth Wells
UWIC P - P Caerphilly
Ystrad Rhondda 12 - 25 Blackwood
19/3/2006
Cwmllynfell 6 - 16 Whitland
Final Whistle
Division 1 Division 2 East
Division 2 West
Division 3 East
Division 3 West
Division 3 South East
Division 3 South West
Division 4 East
Division 4 West
Division 4 South East
Division 4 South West
Division 4 North
Division 5 South East
Division 5 West
Division 5 East
Aberdare 38500 03858 558528 22586622 RRFF
Mountain Ash 52482 20000 278 257 RE 5252 7777 41200 1
Tumble RFC 21158552 25455452 RDD 23145120
Mountain Ash 4377674 8434778458992 78428078
Results, Tables & Fixtures
Aberdare 38500 03858 558528 22586622 RRFF
Mountain Ash 52482 20000 278 257 RE 5252 7777 41200 1
Tumble RFC 21158552 25455452 RDD 23145120
Mountain Ash 4377674 8434778458992 78428078
12/3/2006
Glyncorrwg 30 - 0 Neath Athletic
17/3/2006
Glyncorrwg 59 - 0 Cwmtwrch
Porthcawl 27 - 17 Rhigos
18/02/2006
Llandudno 31 - 7 Llanidloes
Machynlleth 12 - 3 Bangor
Rhos. 13 - 10 Rhayader
Rhyl 24 - 39 Bro Ffestiniog
Wrexham 27 - 14 Welshpool
4/3/2006
Bangor P - P Rhyl
Bro Ffestiniog P - P Rhos.
Llanidloes P - P Machynlleth
Welshpool 32 - 19 Rhayader
Wrexham P - P Llandudno
19clubHouse
Final Whistle Division 5 South West Division 5 North
Aberdare 38500 03858 558528 22586622 RRFF
Mountain Ash 52482 20000 278 257 RE 5252 7777 41200 1
Tumble RFC 21158552 25455452 RDD 23145120
Mountain Ash 4377674 8434778458992 78428078
Photos courtesy of Alan Watkins
Mountain Ash 52482 20000 278 257 RE 5252 7777 41200 1
Tumble RFC 21158552 25455452 RDD 23145120
Mountain Ash 4377674 8434778458992 78428078
For results as they happen, check out:
www.clubhousewales.com
Aberdare 38500 03858 558528 22586622 RRFF
Mountain Ash 52482 20000 278 257 RE 5252 7777 41200 1
Tumble RFC 21158552 25455452 RDD 23145120
Mountain Ash 4377674 8434778458992 78428078
Aberdare 38500 03858 558528 22586622 RRFF
Mountain Ash 52482 20000 278 257 RE 5252 7777 41200 1
Tumble RFC 21158552 25455452 RDD 23145120
Mountain Ash 4377674 8434778458992 78428078
Match ReportsDivision 1 battle at the top
Beddau became the first side to come away from Bonymaen with a victory after a dogged performance sealed an entralling 8-18 away win at Parc Mawr.
The league leaders were without six first choice players, including skipper Darren Poland, and the visitors took full advantage.
Tries from Dominic Busuttil and winger Garan Pearce, both converted by Steve Robinson, put Beddau in command and a drop goal by wing Dan Wyatt rounded of the scoring.
Bony’s only try was scored by substitute Michael Thomas who put points on the board with his second touch of the game.
Bonymaen 8-18 Beddau
Division 2 East showdown
Croesyceiliog’s relegation worries took a turn for the worse after a one-sided encounter at Woodland Road.
The Cockerels took the lead through a Matthew Entwistle penalty, but the Newport Saracens hit back with two tries to go in ahead at the half time whistle.
Newport then piled on the misery with four tries in the second half, answered only by a penalty from outside-half Entwistle.
And the defeat will have further consequences for Croesyceiliog. Influential hooker Anthony Axford picked up a knock and flanker Paul Hicks broke his leg. To compound their misery, scrum-half Nathan Powell was sent off for dissent.
Croesyceiliog 12-34 Newport S.
Previews Division 3 West
Risca v Abercarn The proverbial relegation six pointer between the two bottom clubs in the division.
Risca are 12 points adrift at the bottom and desperately need a win if they are to have any chance of avoiding the drop to Division Four East.
With only two wins all season the home side will need a dramatic reversal of fortune to survive, but stranger things have happened.
In the last encounter between the two sides, Abercarn cruised home to a comfortable 31-3 win.
A similar result on Saturday would keep the visitors own hopes of avoiding the drop alive. And sitting second to bottom, they need that.
Division 2 West
Loughor v CorusLoughor need a victory to maintain their push for promotion as the season enters its final stages.
Dunvant appear to have the title wrapped up but below them, the fight is on for the final promotion spot. And Loughor are a mere three points ahead of Carmarthen Athletic in the race for Division One.
Corus will be looking for a win to try and bring themselves into the equation for promotion. They are 12 points behind their hosts but they have the added bonus of games in hand on all the teams above them.
This will be the first meeting between the two sides this season, so it’s all to play for, as both sides set their sights on Divison One.
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Flutter of the Week
Heinken CupRoot for the underdog, Bath at 25/1
Powergen Cup Back Llanelli all the way, at 2/1World CupBe a patriot, Wales are 33/1
Div 1 P W D L F A PtsBonymaen 23 18 2 3 743 314 56Newbridge 25 17 1 7 523 427 52Beddau 25 17 0 8 619 369 51Whitland 21 14 2 5 435 263 44Cwmllynfell 22 13 2 7 529 356 41Merthyr 22 13 0 9 533 458 39Llanharan 24 11 0 13 506 505 33UWIC 20 10 0 10 537 534 30Llangennech 21 10 0 11 452 408 30Blackwood 21 9 3 9 398 410 30Caerphilly 9 0 10 404 425 27Narberth 21 8 0 13 353 474 24Waunarlwydd 23 7 1 15 339 570 22Builth Wells 20 6 0 14 351 495 18Fleur de Lys 23 5 0 18 283 643 15Ystrad Rhondda 22 3 1 18 238 592 7
Div 2 East P W D L F A PtsBargoed 19 16 0 3 600 350 48Newport Saracens 17 15 0 2 430 204 45Abercynon 18 13 0 5 499 323 39Llantrisant 20 12 0 8 424 383 36Pill Harriers 19 10 4 5 395 287 34Tredegar 20 10 2 8 440 307 32Lantwit Fardre 18 10 2 6 400 256 32Mountain Ash 19 9 1 9 278 308 28Rhydyfelin 17 9 0 8 352 304 27Croesyceiliog 20 7 0 13 388 541 21Nantymoel 18 6 1 11 381 465 19Rumney 17 4 0 13 265 349 12Brynithel 18 4 0 14 217 393 12Brynmawr 20 0 0 20 196 795 0
Div 3 East P W D L F A PtsAbergavenny 17 15 0 2 574 249 45Pontypool Utd 17 13 0 4 422 181 39Blaina 19 10 1 8 455 375 31Fairwater 18 10 0 8 376 245 30Senghenydd 18 10 0 8 328 442 30Nelson 16 9 1 6 312 300 28Llanishen 16 9 0 7 411 309 24Pontllanfraith 17 8 0 9 312 279 24New Tredegar 14 7 1 6 265 327 22Cwmbran 18 7 0 11 278 413 21Rhymney 17 6 1 10 301 343 18Old Illtydians 16 6 0 10 263 345 18Abercarn 18 6 0 12 269 407 18Risca 19 2 0 17 246 597 6
Div 2 West P W D L F A PtsDunvant 18 16 0 2 486 281 48Carmarthen Athletic 21 14 1 6 401 354 43Loughor 19 13 2 4 423 325 41Corus 19 12 2 5 467 268 35*Banwen 19 11 0 8 303 344 33Bridgend Athletic 17 11 0 6 396 341 30*Pontyberem 19 10 0 9 350 336 30Kidwelly 20 7 1 12 392 449 22Kidwelly 20 7 0 13 372 444 21Felinfoel 18 6 1 11 274 343 19Tonmawr 17 6 0 11 295 275 18Gorseinon 18 5 1 12 358 399 16Mumbles 19 4 0 15 336 537 12Seven Sisters 16 4 0 12 247 404 12
Div 3 West P W D L F A PtsPenclawdd 16 15 0 1 581 183 45Trimsaran 19 14 1 4 459 247 43Llangefni 18 12 1 5 486 264 37Llanelli Wanderers 18 11 2 5 354 322 35Haverfordwest 18 11 1 6 406 311 34Laugharne 17 11 0 6 390 304 33Aberystwyth 16 10 0 6 441 233 30Pembroke Dock 18 7 2 9 323 467 23Newcastle Emlyn 19 7 2 10 267 373 23Lampeter 18 7 0 11 313 309 21Tumble 19 7 0 12 291 483 21Tenby 19 4 1 14 316 459 13Amman United 16 4 0 12 253 395 12Hendy 19 0 0 19 274 804 0
Div 3 S East P W D L F A PtsYnysybwl 18 17 0 1 522 215 51Treherbert 18 16 0 2 447 241 48Gilfach Goch 18 12 1 5 291 216 37Pencoed 16 10 1 5 347 214 31Treorchy 15 10 0 5 268 222 30Brecon 17 9 1 7 323 287 28Pentyrch 18 8 1 9 333 283 25Tonyrefail 16 7 0 9 261 288 21Ruthin 18 5 2 11 300 341 17Aberdare 17 5 1 11 246 350 16Hirwaun 18 5 1 12 232 340 16Barry 15 5 0 10 251 351 15Tylorstown 17 4 0 13 283 437 12Abercwmboi 15 1 0 14 128 447 3
Div 4 S East P W D L F A PtsPenallta 15 14 0 1 716 177 42Penarth 19 14 0 5 568 266 42Taffs Well 17 12 0 5 493 224 36Cilfynydd 16 12 0 4 404 219 36Bedlinog 15 11 0 4 366 139 33Cowbridge 15 9 0 6 323 190 27Llandaff North 16 8 1 7 332 422 25Llantwit Major 16 5 0 11 182 297 15Dowlais 15 4 0 11 231 341 12Llandaff 17 4 0 13 242 422 12Penygraig 17 3 1 13 119 501 10Dinas Powys 16 0 0 16 65 823 0
Div 4 East P W D L F A PtsGarndiffaith 17 15 0 2 403 245 45St Peters 17 14 0 3 463 250 42Newport HSOB 16 12 0 4 503 205 36Tredegar Ironsides 15 11 0 4 349 225 33Trinant 15 10 0 5 280 301 30Talywain 17 7 0 10 307 518 21Cardiff HSOB 16 7 0 9 342 312 21Nantyglo 14 5 1 8 206 272 16Crumlin 14 4 1 9 238 380 13Chepstow 16 4 0 12 381 440 12Monmouth 19 4 0 15 380 407 12Oakdale 15 1 0 14 174 476 3
Div 4 West P W D L F A PtsPontarddulais 15 14 0 1 423 198 42Ammanford 16 12 1 3 394 174 37
Llandeilo 15 11 0 4 270 163 33Neyland 17 10 1 6 370 264 31Pembroke 17 7 2 8 271 231 23Milford 15 7 1 7 214 285 22Crymych 14 7 0 7 272 192 21Cardigan 18 6 1 11 267 336 19New Dock Stars 16 6 0 10 233 333 18Cefneithin 16 5 1 10 133 271 16Fishguard 16 4 0 12 217 339 12Llandybie 15 2 1 12 119 397 7
Div 4 S West P W D L F A PtsHeol y Cyw 14 13 0 1 439 174 39Birchgrove 15 11 1 3 325 210 34Glynneath 16 9 0 5 344 271 33Morriston 14 9 1 4 307 219 28Pontycymmer 18 9 0 9 300 316 27Trebanos 16 8 0 8 300 301 24Taibach 15 7 0 8 339 272 21Briton Ferry 17 7 0 10 321 372 21Aberavon GS 17 4 1 12 190 370 13Maesteg Celtic 16 5 1 10 282 348 13Glais 13 4 0 9 187 299 12Abercrave 15 3 0 12 208 390 9
Div 4 North P W D L F A PtsMold 14 14 0 0 450 185 42Pwllheli 16 11 0 5 408 269 33Nant Conwy 14 11 0 3 331 173 33Caernarfon 16 9 1 6 386 286 28Bala 15 7 1 7 297 320 22Denbigh 15 6 0 9 310 291 18Colwyn Bay 14 5 0 9 210 314 15Newtown 15 5 0 10 169 328 15Bethesda 15 4 0 11 271 441 12Dolgellau 14 1 0 13 112 337 3
Div 3 S West P W D L F A PtsNantyffyllon 19 14 1 4 483 228 43Tonna 16 14 0 2 472 190 42Vardre 18 14 0 4 360 163 42Cwmavon 17 13 0 4 469 205 39Cwmgors 19 11 0 8 404 321 33Aberavon Quins 18 9 0 9 339 347 27Bryncoch 17 9 0 8 328 293 27Skewen 18 7 1 10 315 359 22Kenfig Hill 17 6 2 9 343 412 20Ystalyfera 18 6 1 11 308 464 19Brynamman 16 6 0 10 270 313 18Tondu 17 6 0 11 357 350 18Resolven 18 3 1 14 275 553 10Alltwen 16 1 0 15 175 700 3
Tables
20 clubHouse
Final Whistle
19
Div 5 East P W D L F A PtsMachen 15 15 0 0 524 133 45Blaenavon 16 13 0 3 346 189 39Usk 18 11 2 5 363 260 35Abertillery BG 17 11 1 5 358 240 34Gwernyfed 16 11 0 5 356 168 33Bettws 15 9 1 5 310 166 28St Josephs 17 8 0 9 279 380 24St Albans 17 7 0 10 262 316 21Ynysddu 16 5 2 9 196 301 17Llanhilleth 18 4 1 13 205 469 13Caldicot 19 3 1 15 197 377 10RTB Ebbw Vale 18 0 0 18 130 527 0
Div 5 North P W D L F A PtsLlandudno 14 14 0 0 722 97 42Wrexham 14 12 0 2 401 124 36Llanidloes 15 10 0 5 310 170 30Welshpool 15 9 0 6 288 208 27Machynlleth 13 8 0 5 256 221 24Bro Ffestiniog 11 5 0 6 269 223 15Rhyl 14 4 0 10 270 397 12Rhayader 14 3 1 10 217 340 10Rhosllanerchrugog 12 2 1 9 156 441 7Bangor 14 0 0 14 68 736 0
Div 5 S West P W D L F A PtsBP Llandarcy 16 15 0 1 606 131 45Ystradgynlais 18 13 1 4 437 223 40Glyncorrwg 15 13 0 2 562 139 39Cefn Cribbwr 18 13 0 5 376 313 39Rhigos 15 10 1 4 250 211 31Porthcawl 17 10 0 7 413 348 30Neath Athletic 15 9 0 6 326 222 27Cwmgwrach 17 7 0 10 273 343 21Crynant 17 5 0 12 226 419 15Cwmtwrch 18 3 1 14 210 516 10Baglan 16 2 1 13 192 453 7Pontardawe 14 2 0 12 153 490 6Pyle 16 2 0 14 233 449 6
Div 5 S East P W D L F A PtsPorth 15 15 0 0 755 53 45Bridgend Sports 15 12 0 3 467 160 36Cefn Coed 13 10 1 2 328 146 31Rhiwbina 13 8 1 4 408 188 25Ferndale 16 7 0 9 273 342 21Pontyclun 13 7 0 6 237 238 21South Wales Police 16 6 0 10 321 402 18Old Penarthians 14 3 0 11 149 504 9Deri 14 2 1 11 147 536 7Ogmore Vale 15 0 1 14 85 599 1
Div 5 West P W D L F A PtsLlanybydder 17 16 0 1 667 11 48Burry Port 17 15 0 2 498 161 45Aberaeron 18 15 0 3 602 225 45Betws 17 14 0 3 533 256 42Gowerton 18 12 0 6 559 294 36Tycroes 17 10 1 6 283 195 31Llangwm 20 7 0 13 322 534 21Bynea 17 7 0 10 273 407 21Swansea Uplands 18 6 1 11 286 452 19Penygroes 17 6 0 11 357 357 18Pontyates 17 5 0 12 209 481 15Furnace 18 3 1 14 236 462 10St Clears 17 3 1 13 142 355 10St Davids 18 2 0 16 147 586 6
25/3/2006
Merthyr v Narbeth; Whitland v Ystrad Rhondda; Builth Wells
v Bonymaen; Llangennech v UWIC; Caerphilly v Cwmllynfell;
Blackwood v Llanharan; Beddau v Newbridge; Waunarlwydd
v Fleur de Lys
Brynmawr v Llantrisant; Croesyceiliog v Bargoed; Llantwit
Fardre v Abercynon; Mountain Ash v Rumney; Nantymoel
v Brynithel; Newport Saracens v Pill Harriers; Tredegar v
Rhydyfelin
Dunvant v Seven Sisters; Felinfoel v Banwen; Gorseinon
v Kidwelly; Loughor v Corus; Mumbles v Maesteg Quins;
Pontyberem v Carmarthen Athletic; Tonmawr v Bridgend
Athletic
Cwmbran v Blaina; Llanishen v New Tredegar; Nelson v
Fairwater; Pontllanfraith v Abergavenny; Pontypool Utd v Old
Illtydians; Risca v Abercarn; Rhymney v Senghenydd
Laugharne v Lampeter; Llangefni v Penclawdd; Newcastle
Emlyn v Hendy; Pembroke Dock v Aberystwyth; Tenby v
Amman Utd; Trimsaran v Llanelli Wanderers; Tumble v
Haverfordwest
Division Three West
Division Three East
Division Two West
Division One
Division Two East
Barry v Pencoed; Gilfach Goch v Hirwaun; Ruthin v Aberdare;
Treherbert v Pentyrch; Treorchy v Brecon; Tonyrefail v
Ynysybwl; Tylorstown v Abercwmboi
Aberavon Quins v Tondu; Cwmavon v Cwmgors; Kenfig Hill v
Tonna; Nantyffyllon v Brynamman; Resolven v Vardre; Skewen
v Alltwen; Ystalyfera v Bryncoch
Chepstow v Monmouth, Crumlin v Trinant, Garndiffaith v
Oakdale, Nantyglo v Talywain, Newport HSOB v Cardiff HSOB,
St Peters v Tredegar Ironsides
Cefneithin v Fishguard, Llandeilo v Cardigan, Milford v
Pembroke, New Dock Stars v Ammanford, Neyland v Crymych,
Pontarddulais v Llandybie
Dinas Powys v Cowbridge, Dowlais v Cilfynydd, Llandaff
North v Llandaff, Penallta v Penygraig, Penarth v Llantwit
Major, Taffs Well v Bedlinog
Aberavon Green Stars v Glynneath, Abercrave v Maesteg Celtic,
Birchgrove v Pontycymmer, Morriston v Glais, Taibach v Briton
Ferry, Trebanos v Heol y Cyw
Bethesda v Colwyn Bay, Denbigh v Bala, Mold v Dolgellau,
Nant Conwy v Pwllheli , Newtown v Caernarfon
Abertillery BG v Gwernyfed, Bettws v Machen, Blaenavon v
Llanhilleth, RTB Ebbw Vale v St Josephs, St Albans v Caldicot,
Usk v Ynysddu
Burry Port v Bynea, Gowerton v Betws, Llanybydder v Furnace,
Llangwm v Pontyates, Penygroes v Aberaeron, Swansea
Uplands v Tycroes
Blaengarw v Ferndale, Canton v Pontyclun, Cefn Coed v
Bridgend Sports, Ogmore Vale v SWP, Old Penarthians v Deri,
Rhiwbina v Porth
Crynant v Pontardawe, Cwmgwrach v Cefn Cribbwr,
Cwmtwrch v Baglan, Neath Athletic v BP Llandarcy, Rhigos v
Pyle, Ystradgynlais v Porthcawl
Machynlleth v Wrexham, Rhayader v Bro Ffestiniog,
Rhosllanerchrugog v Bangor, Rhyl v Llanidloes, Welshpool v
Llandudno
Celtic LeagueBBC Wales
24 March at 7.10pm Cardiff Blues v Glasgow Warriors
S4C25 March at 5.30pm
Llanelli Scarlets v Munster26 March at 4.10pm
Ospreys v Edinburgh Gunners
TV Pick
of the
Week
Division Four South East
Division Four West
Division Three South West
Division Four South West
Division Four East
Division Three South East Division Four North
Division Five East
Division Five West
Division Five South East
Division Five South West
Division Five North
Fixtures
21clubHouse
www.clubhousewales.com
22 clubHouse
Over to you...
Llanelli Wanderers’s triennial dinner
—how did they beat Tenby the next day?
Final Whistle
The lads from Aberdare drink to
the Italian touring side Leonessa,
managed by Lyn Howells.
Building for the future—the under-9s Maesteg team smile for their big moment. Sweet!
“clubHouse’s devotion to ASDA league clubs is great. There’s not enough focus on grass roots rugby at the moment. The structure of Welsh rugby needs to be changed to allow it to prosper. The season should be split into two. The first section should be made up of a league competition between eight clubs, and the second section for regional rugby. This would give youngsters more of a chance to play
with internationals and regional players. The regions should be West Glamorgan, West Wales, Mid Glamorgan and East Wales. This would get away from the current set up that gravitates towards super clubs, not regions, such as Llanelli
Scarlets and Cardiff Blues. Start a campaign, clubHouse...” Clive Rowlands, Cwmtwrch
Has Welsh rugby lost touch with its roots? “Yes. They need to get new managers in and start again from scratch. They need to listen to what the people want instead of all this political infighting.”Margaret Gardener, 58, Newport“No, the regions still have plenty of junior rugby teams and that’s where the spirit lies.”Phillip Osborne, 20, Abertysswg“Yep. There are too many prima donnas at the moment. And how can you have foreigners in charge of the national team?”Gerry Dempsey, 53, Cardiff“Not in Welsh rugby, no. It’s so engrained in Welsh culture. It’s core to Wales as a national sport and it’s less superstar driven than football.”Chris Matthews, 21, Penarth
Llanishen RFCinvites you to
An evening at the racesThurs 30 March
7.15pmLlanishen RFCYy Glas AvenueLlanishenCardiffCF14 5DX02920 761 688
Only £3 and that includes chicken & chips
My greatest rugby moment
“It was actually after I’d given up playing the
game. I was coach of Abercrave Youth when we
won the Welsh Youth Cup in 1980. We met Neath
Youth in the final at their home ground, The
Gnoll. They were so confident they’d set up video
cameras around the ground to film the game. So
the victory was even sweeter.
We’d played some really good rugby that
season, with a good pack of forwards and a very
capable back line. I remember our winger Ian
Jeffreys was a particularly good finisher. He
went on to play professionally for Ebbw Vale.
We also had Clive Rowlands’s son Dewi in
the team. It was great to see a bunch of great
young lads achieve something they were told
was impossible.”
Elwyn Gwilym, Abercrave fan
Want to share your stories? We’d love to hear your greatest rugby moments over the [email protected]
Got a great caption for this gem?Log on to:
www.clubhousewales.com to enter our competition
and win a rugby PlayStation game
Do you deserveto be here?
Then get in touch: www.clubhousewales.com
Risca’s captain with team mascot at the home match against Rhymney.
From the archives
23clubHouse
cH
20 years ago...
It’s a family affair at Division Three West Penclawdd RFC.
1 year ago...
After France beat Wales at the International Stadium in Cardiff, the visiting fans released five cockerels onto the pitch. The garlic-loving birds had been painted red, white and blue and were expected to fly back to France. But their stay in the Welsh capital was to be longer than anticipated. The birds, which had been smuggled across the channel, were held in quarantine for 35 days by
the authorities. Today no-one knows of their whereabouts. 10 years ago...
The Welsh rescued their Five Nations season with a hard fought 16-15 win over France on 16 March 1996. It was their only Five Nations win that
year with Rob Howley scoring the only try of the game. Wales ended the championship one place off the bottom of the table and vowed to change their game plan.
This time last year Welsh rugby was on top of the world, winning the Grand Slam for the first time in 27 years. They cruised past Ireland 32-20, with two tries from Gethin Jenkins and Kevin Morgan. Man of the tournament was Martyn Williams, who bagged two tries in Wales’s second half comeback against the French.
What’s the best thing about ASDA league rugby? We asked Croesyceiliog RFC
Mountain Ash claim this is their current first team. Hmm, the shell suit raises a few eyebrows.
“It’s in the heart. It’s been my life since I was six-years-old. It’s an addiction.” Ieuan Mustow
“It’s your life. Your rugby team is like an extra family.”Owain James“It’s not the winning, it’s the celebrating afterwards. It’s being part of the club and socialising that matters.”John Attwell
“It’s about having all the boys around you, not winning. That’s what this level is all about.”Chris Williams My greatest rugby moment
“It was actually after I’d given up playing the
game. I was coach of Abercrave Youth when we
won the Welsh Youth Cup in 1980. We met Neath
Youth in the final at their home ground, The
Gnoll. They were so confident they’d set up video
cameras around the ground to film the game. So
the victory was even sweeter.
We’d played some really good rugby that
season, with a good pack of forwards and a very
capable back line. I remember our winger Ian
Jeffreys was a particularly good finisher. He
went on to play professionally for Ebbw Vale.
We also had Clive Rowlands’s son Dewi in
the team. It was great to see a bunch of great
young lads achieve something they were told
was impossible.”
Elwyn Gwilym, Abercrave fan
Want to share your stories? We’d love to hear your greatest rugby moments over the [email protected]
Find out what it’s all about in the
next issue of clubHouse
Out April 5
Oh,Canada“Say, Philip! Aberdare RFC are on tour — bound for the city of Toronto, in the land of snow, ice hockey and posh policemen in daft hats!”
