Pontypridd RFC
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Full name | Pontypridd Rugby Football Club | ||
---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | Ponty, The Valley Commandos | ||
Founded | 1876 | ||
Location | Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales | ||
Ground(s) | Sardis Road (Capacity: 7,861) | ||
Coach(es) | Chris Dicomidis | ||
Captain(s) | Cally James | ||
Most caps | Bob Penberthy 877 | ||
Top scorer | Neil Jenkins 3,185 | ||
Most tries | Karl Swain 179 | ||
League(s) | Welsh Premier Division | ||
2023-24 | 7th [1] | ||
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Official website | |||
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51°36′02″N 3°20′48″W / 51.600460°N 3.346571°W Pontypridd Rugby Football Club (Welsh: Clwb Rygbi Pontypridd) is a rugby union team from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. It competes in the Indigo Group Premiership, that it won for four consecutive seasons between 2012 and 2015, and the WRU National Cup, that it has won on 6 different occasions, the most recent being in 2014.
Established in 1876, Pontypridd RFC play their home games on the banks of the River Rhondda, at Sardis Road, Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf in Wales, with their age-grade section playing at Taff Vale Park in Pontypridd, and Pontypridd High School Fields in nearby Cilfynydd.
Pontypridd RFC experienced a successful period during the 1990s under head coach, Dennis John, referred to as the club's "Golden Age",[2] and enjoyed further success between 2001 and 2003 with the appointment of head coach, Lynn Howells. The transition to Regional Rugby in Wales in 2003 saw the downgrading of Pontypridd to a semi-professional team, followed by financial difficulties for the club,[3] and eventual demise of Pontypridd's "Celtic Warriors" region.[4]
Pontypridd RFC has since refinanced and restructured,[5][6] and, despite a mooted stadium sale,[7][8] it continues to be regarded as a beacon for rugby in the South Wales Valleys.[9]
Pontypridd RFC has produced numerous players for the Wales national rugby union team and long thrived on the 'unfashionable club' tag.[10][11]
Club history
[edit]Early history
[edit]Pontypridd RFC are generally accepted to have been formed in 1876[12] by a number of young local men who moved into the area during the Industrial Revolution of the late 19th century. However, the first reported match involving Pontypridd was played on 18 December 1873 against Roath (Cardiff).[13] They were represented at a meeting in Tenby in 1880 that would later lead to the formation of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1881.[14] Pontypridd's Edward Treharne, who also played for Cowbridge Grammar School as a student,[15] was named in the very first Welsh International side in 1881. Pontypridd supplied two more players to the Welsh team before the turn of the 19th century, Tom Williams and Ernie George.
In their early days, Pontypridd RFC played their home games at Taff Vale Park in Treforest, the current home of their junior section, before moving to the People's Park alongside the River Rhondda. However, in 1908 they moved once more to a new home in Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd itself,[16] where they would stay for 65 years.
1945–1989
[edit]Pontypridd have long been regarded as one of the more unfashionable Welsh clubs, and during this period were over-shadowed by the more prominent Welsh clubs, Llanelli, Swansea, Neath, Cardiff and Newport, known collectively as the Big Five. Players with Pontypridd often found it hard to break into the international team while at the club, meaning a number would leave for higher profile teams each season. Despite this the club were consistently successful, achieving a long line of top ten finishes in the unofficial Welsh league, a competition they won for the first time in the 1962/1963 season.
However the 1970s would bring Pontypridd its first period of real success. Following the redevelopment of the A470 trunk road near their home ground, the team moved to its current home of Sardis Road in Pontypridd in 1974.[16] This move was immediately followed by success in the unofficial league championship, winning it in 1975–76, 1977–78 and 1978–79[17] whilst never falling from the top four for seven years under the captaincy of two of Pontypridd's greatest ever players – Bob Penberthy and Tommy David.
1990–2002
[edit]The 1990s saw a huge change in Welsh rugby, especially with the inauguration of the first official Welsh leagues in 1990. Pontypridd were placed in the top (first) division for that season and have until now never been out of the top-level in the Welsh game. They consistently finished in the top five, which was considered an achievement due to the stature and pedigree of the clubs they finished among. Third places in 1991–92, 1993–94 and 1995–96 plus a runner up finish to Cardiff RFC in 1994–95 was a promising return for the club.
During the 1993–94 season there was speculation about an Anglo-Welsh competition containing only the 'Big Four' Welsh clubs of Cardiff, Neath, Swansea and Llanelli. Pontypridd's 27–12 victory over Neath in November was considered to have made the case for a 'Big Five', and coach Dennis John expressed pleasure at having put an end to such speculation later in the season following a narrow defeat to Cardiff in the Welsh Cup semi-final.[18][19]
In 1996 the club won its first official major honour, beating Neath RFC in the final of the Welsh Cup, a match still considered one of the best ever. They repeated this achievement again in 2002 and 2006. The following season (1997) saw them win the Welsh League, narrowly over the same opponents. Both of these successes were obtained by what many consider Pontypridd's best ever team, led by Nigel Bezani and including players such as Richie Collins, Neil Jenkins, Paul John and Dale McIntosh.
During the 2001–02 season, Pontypridd enjoyed an incredibly successful campaign, winning the Principality Cup and narrowly losing to Sale Sharks in the final of the Parker Pen Shield competition.[20]
From then until 2003 Pontypridd consistently finished in the top five of the league but failed to challenge for top spot (and to qualify for the Heineken Cup – Europe's top tournament) as they struggled to cope with the added financial pressures of the newly professional game, losing a number of players to larger clubs and relying heavily upon their much admired youth academy system. However, in 2003 the Welsh Rugby Union would change the game in Wales forever with the advent of Welsh Regional Rugby.
2003–present
[edit]After much negotiation and rumour of a merger with local rivals Cardiff RFC, Pontypridd finally found themselves in a partnership with Bridgend RFC, forming the Celtic Warriors that would represent the whole of the South Wales Valleys region.[21]
However financial difficulties at Pontypridd lead the team to sell its stake in the Warriors to Bridgend RFC benefactor Leighton Samuel and all games were moved away from Sardis Road before the club was controversially dissolved by the WRU in the summer of 2004.[22]
They were then reformed as Ponty Rugby Ltd playing at a semi professional level in the newly formed Welsh Premiership and unpopularly placed under the umbrella of local rivals Cardiff Blues by the WRU, Pontypridd continue to be the top team in the Glamorganshire south Wales Valleys and are considered by many of their fans to be the Valleys' regional representative side, with Cardiff still perceived by the residents of the Valleys as rivals.[23]
In 2005 Pontypridd were the beaten finalists in the WRU Challenge Cup, narrowly losing to Llanelli 24–25, having led 24–8 with only 10 minutes remaining until a former Pontypridd player Neil Boobyer was brought into the game and helped turn the game around in Llanelli's favour.[24]
The following year they would surpass their previous season's record as Saturday 6 May 2006 Pontypridd beat Neath 26–25 to win the WRU Challenge Cup (then called the Konica Minolta Cup, and currently called the SWALEC Cup after the sponsors of the tournament) in a well fought final at the Millennium Stadium.[25] Neath were pre-match favourites having recently secured the Welsh Premier league by a large points margin, and going into the game chasing a league and cup 'double'. This was a replay of the classic 1996 final, when Pontypridd had also stopped Neath RFC 'doing the double'.
17 May 2008 saw Pontypridd enter a repeat performance against Neath at the Millennium Stadium. The score, however, was not to be repeated, as Neath beat Pontypridd 28–22.
In 2010–11 the Swalec Cup was secured after victory over Aberavon, 35–24 at the Millennium Stadium and Ponty finished in first place in the Principality Premiership with 107 points but with play-offs to crown the overall league champions introduced they lost in the final at Sardis Road against 3rd placed Llanelli to deny Ponty a historic double, reaching the Semi-Finals of the British & Irish Cup before losing to eventual winners Bristol was also a fine achievement.
The club again reached two finals the following season, losing to Cross Keys in the final of the Swalec Cup 32–19 on 7 May 2012 before being crowned Welsh Champions for the first time in 15 years after a second successive first-place finish in the Principality Premiership this time led to a Play-Off final win over Llanelli at Sardis Road on 18 May. The club also made the Quarter-Finals of the British & Irish Cup, losing away to Leinster 'A'.
The 2012–13 season was arguably the most successful in the club's history as Ponty won an historic league and cup double. First beating Neath in the final of the Swalec Cup on 4 May 2013, 34–13 and then after finishing 23 points clear in the Principality Premiership with 21 wins from 22 matches they secured the title in style by defeating Llanelli in the Play-Off Final at Sardis Road on 18 May by 47–15.
The 2013–14 season saw Ponty repeat their success of the previous year, winning an unprecedented Double Double, claiming the Swalec Cup on 4 May 2014 against Cross Keys at the Millennium Stadium by 21–8, and after finishing top of the Principality Premiership for the fourth successive season, a third league title in a row was secured on 18 May 2014 with 38–17 victory over Cross Keys in the Play-Off Final at Sardis Road. The club also defeated London Welsh, London Scottish and Cornish Pirates on the way to the British & Irish Cup Semi-Finals before exiting the competition against Leinster 'A' following a defeat on try count following a 22–22 draw. The 2014–15 saw Ponty reach a fifth successive Swalec Cup final before going down to a surprise defeat by Bridgend, while a fifth successive 1st-place finish in the Principality Premiership led to a fourth league title in a row after a 28–14 victory over Ebbw Vale at Sardis Road on 17 May 2015 in the play-off final.
Despite remaining successful at the highest level attainable by a non-regional side, Pontypridd RFC has seen a huge loss in their fan base due to the disenfranchisement of Welsh rugby supporters in the Valleys[26] over to the appointment of Cardiff Blues as their 'regional' team. Yet despite this, Pontypridd's hardcore support base remains one of the biggest club followings in Wales[27]
Pontypridd RFC continue to earn plaudits for the incredible contribution they have made to International Rugby. Former Pontypridd players seen wearing the red of Wales in recent years include Gethin Jenkins, Kevin Morgan, Richard Parks, Michael Owen, Martyn Williams, Dafydd James, Mefin Davies, Brent Cockbain, Robert Sidoli, Sonny Parker, Ceri Sweeney, Ian Evans, Matthew Rees, Morgan Stoddart, Cory Hill, Kristian Dacey, Seb Davies, Dillon Lewis, Tomos Williams and Jarrod Evans.
Club shield
[edit]The club shield denotes the town of Pontypridd's famous arched bridge – once the largest single-span bridge in Europe[28] – built by William Edwards in 1756 and known as the "Old Bridge".
The chevrons are an interpretation of the ancient arms of Iestyn ap Gwrgant, the last ruler of the Kingdom of Morgannwg. The de Clare family – Norman Lords of the Welsh Marches, under whose authority the ancient shire of Glamorgan was placed – used a similar design to Gwrgant's arms.[29] Both sets of chevrons were once seen on the coat of arms of Mid Glamorgan County Council,[29] in which the town of Pontypridd was situated prior to the Local Government Act of 1994.[30]
An identical chevron design is now seen in the coat of arms of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, which superseded Mid Glamorgan.
The black and white colours are the team colours of Pontypridd RFC.[31]
- Development of the Pontypridd RFC Club shield
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Arms of ap Gwrgant
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Arms of de Clare family
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Pontypridd's "Old Bridge"
Sponsorship
[edit]Pontypridd's most notable main sponsor was local company, Buy As You View. The company began life as Just Rentals in Tonypandy in 1976, and sponsored Pontypridd RFC from the early nineties until 2004. It employed numerous former players, including Neil Jenkins and Lee Beach and ran the Buy As You View Schools Rugby Initiative, working in partnership with Pontypridd RFC.[32]
Pontypridd's main sponsor from 2004 to 2009 was Pontypridd-based environmental and waste management company, Egan Waste Services.[33]
In 2009, Pontypridd-based company Amber Electrical become the club's main sponsors in a highly publicised partnership deal.[34]
2010 saw Egan Waste Services step up their support of Pontypridd by becoming the club's main sponsors once more.[35]
Club kit has been supplied by numerous firms, including Umbro, Hogger Sports, Cica, Rossco, Canterbury of New Zealand, Kukri Sports, Errea, Rhino Rugby and Mizuno. Kappa became the club's kit suppliers for the start of the 2018–19 season.
Statistics
[edit]Club honours
[edit]Welsh Premier Division Champions – 1996–97, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15
Welsh Premier Division Runners Up – 1994–95, 1998–99, 2010–11, 2015–16
WRU Merit Table Champions – 1975–76
WRU Merit Table Runners Up – 1977–78, 1978–79
Western Mail Welsh Championship Winners – 1963, 1976, 1978, 1979
WRU National Cup Winners – 1995–96, 2001–02, 2005–06, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2013–14
WRU National Cup Runners Up – 1978–79, 1994–95, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2016–17
WRU Premiership Challenge Cup Winners – 2015–16
WRU Challenge Trophy Winners – 1997–98
WRU Challenge Trophy Runners-Up – 1998–99
WRU Champions Challenge Winners – 1996
European Rugby Shield Runners Up – 2001–02
European Rugby Shield Semi-Finalists – 2002–03
British & Irish Cup Semi-Finalists – 2010–11, 2013–14
WRU National 7s Tournament Winners – 2013
WRU National 7s Tournament Runners Up – 2014, 2015
Abercynon 7s Tournament Winners – 2008, 2009, 2010
Abercwmboi 7s Tournament Winners – 2017
Welsh Leagues
[edit]Season | Division | Pos | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Play-Offs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1990–91 | 1 | 5th | 44 | 30 | 2 | 12 | |
1991–92 | 1 | 3rd | 47 | 35 | 0 | 12 | |
1992–93 | 1 | 5th | 40 | 24 | 3 | 13 | |
1993–94 | 1 | 3rd | 22 | 17 | 1 | 4 | |
1994–95 | 1 | 2nd | 22 | 17 | 0 | 5 | |
1995–96 | 1 | 3rd | 22 | 16 | 1 | 5 | |
1996–97 | 1 | 1st | 22 | 20 | 0 | 2 | |
1997–98 | Premier | 3rd | 14 | 8 | 2 | 4 | |
1998–99 | Premier | 2nd | 20 | 12 | 0 | 8 | |
1999–00 | Welsh/Scottish | 4th | 22 | 14 | 2 | 6 | |
2000–01 | Welsh/Scottish | 9th | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | |
2001–02 | Welsh/Scottish | 7th | 20 | 9 | 0 | 11 | |
2002–03 | Premiership | 6th | 16 | 6 | 1 | 9 | |
2003–04 | Premiership | 3rd | 30 | 20 | 2 | 8 | |
2004–05 | Premiership | 10th | 32 | 17 | 1 | 14 | |
2005–06 | Premiership | 3rd | 30 | 21 | 0 | 9 | |
2006–07 | Premiership | 4th | 26 | 16 | 1 | 9 | |
2007–08 | Premiership | 3rd | 26 | 16 | 1 | 9 | |
2008–09 | Premiership | 5th | 26 | 16 | 2 | 8 | |
2009–10 | Premiership | 4th | 26 | 16 | 1 | 9 | |
2010–11 | Premiership | 1st | 26 | 23 | 1 | 2 | Lost to Llanelli 18–24 |
2011–12 | Premiership | 1st | 26 | 19 | 0 | 7 | Beat Llanelli 15–13 |
2012–13 | Premiership | 1st | 22 | 21 | 0 | 1 | Beat Llanelli 47–15 |
2013–14 | Premiership | 1st | 22 | 16 | 1 | 5 | Beat Cross Keys 38–17 |
2014–15 | Premiership | 1st | 22 | 21 | 0 | 1 | Beat Ebbw Vale 28–14 |
2015–16 | Premiership | 1st | 22 | 17 | 0 | 5 | Lost to Ebbw Vale 12–38 |
2016–17 | Premiership | 5th | 22 | 13 | 0 | 9 | |
2017–18 | Premiership | 3rd | 29 | 23 | 0 | 6 | |
2018–19 | Premiership | 3rd | 30 | 22 | 0 | 8 | |
2019–20 | Premiership | 5th* | 18 | 10 | 0 | 8 | *Season cancelled |
2021–22 | Premiership | 7th | 11 | 7 | 0 | 4 | |
2022–23 | Premiership | 10th | 22 | 5 | 0 | 17 | |
2023–24 | Premiership | 7th | 24 | 12 | 1 | 11 |
Cup Final history
[edit]Year | Opponent | Result | Score | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|
1979 | Bridgend | Lost | 12–18 | Schweppes Cup |
1995 | Swansea | Lost | 12–17 | Swalec Cup |
1996 | Neath | Won | 29–22 | Swalec Cup |
1996 | Neath | Won | 60–19 | WRU Champions Challenge |
1998 | Cardiff | Won | 15–10 | WRU Challenge Trophy |
1999 | Llanelli | Lost | 18–41 | WRU Challenge Trophy |
2002 | Llanelli | Won | 20–17 | Principality Cup |
2002 | Sale Sharks | Lost | 22–25 | Parker Pen European Shield |
2005 | Llanelli | Lost | 24–25 | Konica Minolta Cup |
2006 | Neath | Won | 26–25 | Konica Minolta Cup |
2008 | Neath | Lost | 22–28 | Konica Minolta Cup |
2011 | Aberavon | Won | 35–24 | Swalec Cup |
2012 | Cross Keys | Lost | 19–32 | Swalec Cup |
2013 | Neath | Won | 34–13 | Swalec Cup |
2014 | Cross Keys | Won | 21–8 | Swalec Cup |
2015 | Bridgend | Lost | 15–19 | Swalec Cup |
2016 | Bedwas | Won | 38–34 | Fosters Challenge Cup |
2017 | RGC 1404 | Lost | 11–15 | WRU National Cup |
Team management, players and former players
[edit]Team management
[edit]Pontypridd RFC have been led by a number of high-profile coaches since the 1980s, Clive Jones – a prominent figure in Treorchy RFC's 1993/94 Heineken League successes – was instrumental in ensuring Pontypridd's place in the top tier during the latter part of the eighties.[2]
In 1992, Dennis John took over as head coach, assisted by former Pontypridd flanker, Lynn Howells, and led Pontypridd into what is widely regarded as their "Golden Age",[2] with Ponty winning the Welsh Cup Final in the 1995–96 season, and winning the Welsh Premier League in the 1996–97 season.
With the departure of John in 1999, former Pontypridd and Wales flanker, Richie Collins became head coach, and while some significant scalps – notably a win over Heineken Cup winners Leicester in 2000[36] – came his way, his tenure in charge was short-lived.
In September 2001, Clive Jones rejoined Pontypridd as director of rugby, and had, by December 2001, brought Lynn Howells back from Cardiff,[37] who then proceeded to marshal the club to become Principality Cup winners in May 2002[38] and guided the team to the final of the Parker Pen European Shield days later.[39] The advent of Regional Rugby in 2003 saw Howells depart to become coach of parent-region, the Celtic Warriors, with former Pontypridd flanker, Justin Burnell filling the void.[40]
Burnell's departure in 2004 was followed by the appointment of former Pontypridd flanker, Simon King[41] who, along with assistant coach, former Pontypridd and Wales captain and scrum-half Paul John, guided Pontypridd to the final of the Konica Minolta Cup in 2004–05, before winning it in 2005–06.[42]
Paul John took over as head coach in at the commencement of the 2006–07 season, and, assisted by former Pontypridd and Wales back row, Dale McIntosh, led the club to the final of the Konica Minolta Cup in 2007/08.[43]
During May 2010, it was decided that Paul John and Dale McIntosh would switch roles, as the demands on John in his capacity as head coach of the Wales Sevens team were becoming too great. Dale McIntosh therefore leads Pontypridd into the 2010–11 season as head coach, while Paul John assumes the mantle of assistant coach.[44]
McIntosh left his role in October 2013 to take up a full-time position with the Cardiff Blues, leading to a restructure of the Pontypridd coaching team with Paul John as head coach, being backed up by Gareth Wyatt and Geraint Lewis with another former Wales international Garin Jenkins also joining the backroom staff. After playing his part in continuing the club's success, Lewis has since departed to become a full-time WRU skills coach being replaced as forwards coach by another former Pontypridd player in Robert Sidoli.
Justin Burnell returned to Pontypridd as director of rugby in the summer of 2017, replacing the previous coaching team of John and Sidoli, whilst Paul Matthews replaced Wyatt, who departed to join up with the Wales Women's team the following year.
The current team manager is former Pontypridd player, Dan Godfrey, and the Forwards coach is Lee Davies.[45]
Current coaching staff
[edit]Position | Name |
---|---|
Head Coach | Chris Dicomidis |
Assistant/Skills coach | Iestyn Harris |
Player/Backs Coach | Garyn Smith |
Player/Forwards Coach | Kristian Parker |
Player/Scrum Coach | Rob Jones |
Conditioning Coach | Nathan Evans |
Team Manager | Stuart Rix |
Position | Name |
---|---|
Club Captain | Cally James |
Co-Vice Captain | Joel Raikes |
Co-Vice Captain | Dale Stuckey |
Notable former management staff
[edit]Billy Griffiths (coach)
Clive Jones (coach & director of rugby)
Dennis John (Head Coach)
Lynn Howells (Head coach & assistant coach)
Steve Richards (fitness coach)
Richie Collins (Head coach)
Justin Burnell (Head coach & Director of Rugby)
Simon King (Head coach)
Steele Lewis (assistant coach)
Mike Griffiths (scrum coach)
Nigel Bezani (team manager)
Eddie Jones (team manager)
Gary Jones (team manager)
Dale McIntosh (Head coach)
Paul John (Head coach)
Geraint Lewis (forwards coach)
Garin Jenkins (scrum coach)
Rob Sidoli (forwards coach)
Richard Langmead (team manager)
Gareth Wyatt (Head coach)
Darren Bool (strength & conditioning coach)
Dan Godfrey (team manager)
Players
[edit]Current squad
[edit][46] Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.
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International players
[edit]Senior international sevens players
[edit]Cally James
Dale Stuckey
Under 20 international players
[edit]Former players
[edit]Kieron Assiratti
Gareth Baber
Mathew Back
Duncan Bell
Nigel Bezani
Dane Blacker
Tom Billups
Neil Boobyer
Billy Boston
Aled Brew
Jonathan Bryant
Brent Cockbain
Richie Collins
Crispin Cormack
Sven Cronk
Gavin Dacey
Kristian Dacey
Brett Davey
Tommy David
Mefin Davies
Seb Davies
Will Davies-King
Corey Domachowski
Ian Evans
Jarrod Evans
Dai Flanagan
Taufaʻao Filise
Dan Godfrey
Ian Gough
Graham Gittins
Mason Grady
Mike Griffiths
Cory Hill
Sam Hobbs
Simon Humberstone
Dafydd James
Will James
Lee Jarvis
Ellis Jenkins
Gethin Jenkins
Neil Jenkins
Phil John
Paul John
WillGriff John
Gary Jones
Kingsley Jones
Paul Knight
Tavis Knoyle
Dillon Lewis
Geraint Lewis
Jason Lewis
Steele Lewis
Shane Lewis-Hughes
Nicky Little
Christian Loader
Dafydd Lockyer
Jan Machacek
Christian Martin
Jonathan Mason
Niko Matawalu
Dale McIntosh
Kevin Morgan
Matthew Nutthall
Wayne O'Connor
Michael Owen
Sonny Parker
Richard Parks
Bob Penberthy
Greg Prosser
Matthew Rees
Pat Riordan
Russell Robins
Mark Rowley
Matthew Screech
Rhys Shellard
Robert Sidoli
Morgan Stoddart
Nathan Strong
Ceri Sweeney
Ngalu Ta'u
Tu Tamarua
Edward Treharne
Fe'ao Vunipola
Damien Welch
Tomos Williams
Martyn Williams
Gareth Wyatt
Thomas Young
Club captains
[edit]- 1876–1877 James Spickett
- 1877–1879 Henry Briscoe
- 1880–1881 David Treharne
- 1883–1884 William Spickett
- 1894–1895 Ernest George
- 1895–1896 Jack Morgan
- 1898–1899 Billy Rees
- 1900–? Rowley Thomas
- 1906–1907 Duncan McGregor
- 1911–? Frank Hawkins
- 1920 W R Thomas
- 1928–1929 Dick Elliott
- 1945–1947 Jeff Scott
- 1947–1948 Len Arnold
- 1948–1949 Viv Jenkins/Dennis Prater/Tom Hughes
- 1949–1950 Des Jones
- 1950–1951 Des Jones/Roy Roberts
- 1951–1952 Des Jones
- 1952–1953 Bobby Narbett
- 1953–1954 Gordon Matthews
- 1954–1955 Gordon Matthews
- 1955–1958 Russell Robins
- 1958–1959 Jock Watkins
- 1959–1960 T Brian "Shrimp" Williams
- 1960–1962 Graham Gittins
- 1962–1964 Eddie Jones
- 1964–1965 Russell Jones
- 1965–1966 Tommy Coombes
- 1966–1967 Byron Broadstock/Tommy Coombes
- 1967–1968 Joe Smith
- 1968–1969 Arfon Jones
- 1969–1970 Joe Smith
- 1970–1971 Bob Penberthy
- 1971–1973 Dennis John
- 1973–1974 Wayne Evans
- 1974–1975 Bill Davey
- 1975–1977 Bob Penberthy
- 1977–1981 Tommy David
- 1981–1982 Robin Morgan
- 1982–1983 Mike Alexander
- 1983–1984 Bob Dyer
- 1984–1985 John O'Callaghan
- 1985–1987 Kerry Williams
- 1987–1988 Phil John
- 1988–1990 Ceri Jones
- 1990–1991 Paul Knight
- 1991–1992 Steele Lewis
- 1992–1996 Nigel Bezani
- 1996–1999 Neil Jenkins
- 1999–2000 Dale McIntosh
- 2000–2001 Paul John
- 2001–2002 Dale McIntosh
- 2002–2003 Mefin Davies
- 2003–2004 Dale McIntosh
- 2004–2005 Paul Matthews
- 2005–2006 Dale McIntosh
- 2006–2010 Nathan Strong
- 2010–2013 Chris Dicomidis
- 2014–2021 Dafydd Lockyer
- 2021-2022 Morgan Sieniawksi
- 2022-2024 Kristian Parker
- 2024- Cally James
Games played against international opposition
[edit]Year | Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Tour |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1979 | 26 September | Lost | 3–9 | 1979 Romania rugby union tour of Wales[47] | |
1981 | 1 December | Lost | 3–6 | 1981–82 Australia tour of Britain & Ireland[48] | |
1985 | 10 April | Won | 6–4 | 1985 Spain tour of Wales[2] | |
1988 | 8 November | Lost | 22–23 | 1988 Western Samoa rugby union tour of Britain and Ireland[49] | |
1994 | 22 November | Lost | 3–9 | 1994 South Africa rugby union tour of Britain and Ireland[2] | |
1995 | 4 November | Won | 31–13 | 1995 Fiji tour of Wales[50] | |
1997 | 7 January | Lost | 13–15 | 1997 United States rugby union tour of Wales[2] | |
1998 | 10 January | Won | 34–3 | WRU Challenge Cup International Invitational[51] | |
1999 | 23 January | Won | 52–10 | WRU Challenge Cup International Invitational[2] | |
1999 | 27 January | Won | 69–7 | WRU Challenge Cup International Invitational[2] | |
1999 | 18 August | Won | 20–6 | 1999 Canada tour of Wales[2] |
Pontypridd youth and junior teams
[edit]With the loss of their extremely successful Academy set up that was handed over to their Cardiff rivals by the WRU, Pontypridd RFC re-formed a Youth side in 2006, coached by Sean Oliver and Wayne Gristock (formerly Porth Harlequins RFC).
Starting in the bottom division of the Blues league, the side made notable progress that saw them punch well above their weight and earn the nickname the 'Upstarts', when after hugely successful first season that saw them promoted seven divisions to the BB League (Blues Second Division).
The following season saw the formation of a second Youth team who again had to start in the bottom league and were coached by former Pontypridd players Dai Legge and Mike Kelleher. By the end of the 2007/8 season both youth teams had won their perspective leagues outright and earned automatic promotion, with the senior youth now playing in the top division in only their third season since forming. Several youth players have gained notable honours, including representative honours with Welsh Crawshays and Welsh Schoolboys, with players in the Cardiff Blues Academy and several older players now training with Pontypridd RFC's senior team.
Behind this successful youth setup is the Pontypridd Mini & Junior Section that was formed in 1997, the section started out with just a handful of junior players and volunteer coaches, but has grown into one of the biggest and most successful junior sections in Wales. The section contains every age group from under 7s to under 16s, with the youth sides containing players under the age of 19; with almost 300 young players in their ever-swelling ranks. The section is hugely successful, winning dozens of tournaments and trophies each season, and competing successfully in international tournaments throughout Europe where they have won every foreign tournament they have entered.
At the commencement of the 2008–09 season, it was decided that both Senior and Junior Youth teams would merge, forming a large and capable new Pontypridd Youth section. The new season will see a single squad of 35 players being selected, playing in the 2008–09 RAF Youth League: Blues Region. The squad is coached by Wayne Gristock and Sean Oliver, and managed by Chris Kingsbury MBE.
Prior to the commencement of the 2010–11 season, notification was given of a major change in the running of the Youth section, as it was decided that the section would transfer from the hands of the Mini & Junior Rugby section, and would instead fall under the remit of the senior Team Management. The hope is to discover new stars of the future, who will regularly train alongside the main body of the senior XV, echoing the past achievements of the Pontypridd Youth setup in bringing Michael Owen, Gethin Jenkins and Ceri Sweeney, amongst others, to the attention of the World.[52]
See also
[edit]- Celtic Warriors
- Pro14
- Heineken Cup
- Parker Pen European Shield
- British and Irish Cup
- Principality Premiership
- SWALEC Cup
References
[edit]- ^ "Principality Premiership | Welsh Rugby Union | Official Website : Principality Premiership Index". Wru.co.uk. 17 May 2011. Archived from the original on 12 November 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "A brief history | About Pontypridd RFC | The Club". Ponty.net. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Ponty: The big rescue package". Wales Online. 22 September 2003. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Warriors' buy-out 'mortal blow'". BBC News. 18 May 2004. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ "A New Beginning | Club News | News & Views". Ponty.net. Archived from the original on 27 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "The first day of the rest of our lives | Club News | News & Views". Ponty.net. 15 October 2003. Archived from the original on 27 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Retail setback hits Sardis Road". BBC News. 13 June 2006. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ Hands, David (12 February 2005). "Pontypridd put historic ground up for sale". The Times. London. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ "Valleys is the place for fifth region | Noticeboard | News & Views". Ponty.net. Archived from the original on 27 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ Cole, Robert (6 November 1993). "Rugby Union: Pontypridd's chance to outdo the Joneses". The Independent. London. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ Clutton, Graham (9 February 2002). "Welsh-Scottish League: Little's large contribution inspires Pontypridd". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ Smith (1980), pg 26.
- ^ "CARDIFF.|1873-12-20|The Cardiff Times - Welsh Newspapers".
- ^ Smith (1980), pg 37.
- ^ Smith (1980), pg 38.
- ^ a b Thomas (1980), pg 225.
- ^ Thomas (1980), pg 224.
- ^ "Rugby Union: Ponty's case for a Big Five". Independent.co.uk. 22 October 2011.
- ^ "Rugby Union Commentary: Jones has the jump on luckless Pontypridd". Independent.co.uk. 22 October 2011.
- ^ [1] [dead link]
- ^ "What the Pontypridd fans think". Wales Online. 7 January 2004. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "UK | Wales | Warriors' buy-out 'mortal blow'". BBC News. 18 May 2004. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Warriors to the very last drop". Wales Online. 8 May 2006. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Llanelli 25–24 Pontypridd". BBC News. 7 May 2005. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ Archived 5 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine[dead link]
- ^ "Howells pleas for Valleys' future | Noticeboard | News & Views". Ponty.net. 27 January 2003. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ [2] Archived 7 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Rhondda Cynon Taf Tourism, Visit the Valleys, South Wales UK". Destination RCT. 11 February 2011. Archived from the original on 12 November 2010. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ a b "Heraldry of the world – Outdated file". Ngw.nl. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "CIVIC HERALDRY OF ENGLAND AND WALES-WALES 1974–1996". Civicheraldry.co.uk. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "A quick guide to Pontypridd RFC | About Pontypridd RFC | The Club". Ponty.net. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Tributes to television firm boss | Noticeboard | News & Views". Ponty.net. Archived from the original on 27 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Sponsorship update – Egan Waste Services Ltd | Club News | News & Views". Ponty.net. Archived from the original on 27 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Amber in partnership as main club sponsor | Partnership News | Corporate". Ponty.net. Archived from the original on 27 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Egan Waste Services – main club sponsors | Partnership News | Corporate". Ponty.net. Archived from the original on 27 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ Hicks, Daniel (22 October 2000). "Collins hails his Ponty battlers". The Independent. London. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ "Jones joins Pontypridd again". BBC News. 25 September 2001. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ Wildman, Rob (18 May 2002). "Principality Cup Final: Davey puts boot in as Llanelli lose out again". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ Moore, Jonathon (26 May 2002). "Sale claim Shield glory". BBC News. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ "Burnell, Justin | Hall of Fame | Playing Staff". Ponty.net. Archived from the original on 27 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "King takes the reins at Sardis Road | Noticeboard | News & Views". Ponty.net. 25 November 2012. Archived from the original on 27 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Warriors to the very last drop | Noticeboard | News & Views". Ponty.net. Archived from the original on 27 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "John offers inspiration ahead of Cup Final | Noticeboard | News & Views". Ponty.net. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Coaching role reversal | Club News | News & Views". Ponty.net. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Team Management | Playing Staff". Ponty.net. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Players". Ponty.net. Archived from the original on 3 October 2002. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
- ^ Jenkins, Vivian, ed. (1980). Rothmans Rugby Yearbook 1980–81. Queen Anne Press. pp. 50–51. ISBN 0-362-02018-3.
- ^ Jenkins, Vivian, ed. (1983). Rothmans Rugby Yearbook 1982–83. Rothmans Publications Ltd. p. 25. ISBN 0-907574-13-0.
- ^ Jones, Stephen, ed. (1989). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1989–90. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 39. ISBN 0356178625.
- ^ "Welcome to Fiji Rugby Union – Fiji vs Pontypridd". Fijirugby.com. 4 November 1995. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ Rob Cole (12 January 1998). "Rugby Union: Pontypridd's backs help overcome combative visitors – Sport". The Independent. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Ponty Youth structure given a major boost | Ponty Youth". Ponty.net. 17 October 2013. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
External links
[edit]- Ponty.net Official website
- Ponty Rugby Unofficial website
- TerraceTalk Pontypridd Rugby supporters' forum
- PontyKids Pontypridd Mini and Junior Rugby
- PontyYouth[permanent dead link] Pontypridd Academy and development rugby
Bibliography
[edit]- Smith, David; Williams, Gareth (1980). Fields of Praise: The Official History of The Welsh Rugby Union. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. ISBN 0-7083-0766-3.
- Thomas, J.B.G. (1980). The Illustrated History of Welsh Rugby. London: Pelham books Ltd. ISBN 0-7207-1268-8.