News

This Saturday Rhydyfelin once again face opposition from the east as the Gwent Valley side Nantyglo RFC come to Hawthorn Rec in our final regular season home game in division 1 East. This is however no ordinary game for ‘The Village’ as the relative minnows of Valleys rugby are set to take the league title and become Division 1 (east) champions for the first time in their history. A playoff against fellow mid district side Treorchy RFC awaits on Saturday 6th and 13th May, however the outcome of those fixtures will not have any negative impact when the club look back on what has turned out to be an incredible season. As well as the league and possible promotion to the championship, Rhydyfelin also have the Silver Ball Final to look forward to versus Tondu RFC on Saturday May 20th at Aberavon RFC.

Looking back on the past decade or more as we’ve gained promotion through the leagues, some club legends have been part of those victories. The championship winning season of 2005/6 is the easiest to make comparison with, having that season won 26 from 26 in division 3 and making the Silver Ball Final. It may be with hindsight that we look back on the class of 2016/17 in years to come and realise the talent that’s infront of us on a weekly basis, winning Division 1 with only 1 league defeat is by no means an easy task. The squad as we know is 95% our own players, something other clubs in our division, and some wishing to be at this level, cannot say. This side has come through their careers together, losing the odd player here and there but this season it’s all come together. We’ve welcomed back some talent that left in the past and have had the fortune of others not looking at the greener grass on the other side of the fence/a470. Records have tumbled, tries have been coming left right and centre and even Luke Rees completed a pass last week! 

It’s not been without hard work, this season has been coming for a while. Supporters and players alike have known the potential we have in our small little village and this Saturday that potential will be realised. Come the final whistle it’ll be official, the Village have arrived!!

Outside of the 1st team the 2nds have also had another successful campaign, retaining the Mel Davies cup beating Caerphilly in the final and taking runner up spot in their District Div ©. It’s not been easy this season with a period of 6 months where we hardly played a game due to weather and opposition withdrawing from fixtures, but credit to the boys they’ve stuck at it and should be rewarded with a position in a higher league next season, having beaten div A sides on a number of occasions this season.

The youth have also finished their league season in the runner up spot in division BB of the WRU youth leagues, with a 2nd cup finals to come next weeknd. On Wednesday 26th April they took on Pontypridd in the Taff Rhondda Merit Table Final, unfortunately going down 23-13. On Saturday 6th May they face Treorchy in the final of the Mid District Cup competition. Again it’s been a superb season for the youth with some great talent on the production line, some of whom have stepped up to both the 1st and 2nd team squads already this season. Four players have also gone on to be chosen for Wales Boys Club, a great honour for the club. No doubt we are hoping to finish the season with some silverware however the club are proud of what’s already been achieved both on and off the field.

There’s some big days and nights ahead, but already we can say this has been a season to remember whatever the outcome.