Lockyer needed little introduction to the fans at The House of Pain, where he enjoyed a glittering 381-game, trophy-laden career with Pontypridd over an 18-year period. He brought the curtain down on his iconic semi-pro career last year in order to take up coaching and “play the odd game” back at Abercwmboi, his local club.
Abercwmboi’s 33-21 semi-final win over Cilfynydd seven days prior ensured Lockyer would once again be the centre of attention at Sardis Road, although he had to make do with preparing in the strange atmosphere of the away dressing room.
At stake was a maiden Mid District title for Abercymboi and they duly went on to pick up the biggest prize in their 42 year history by beating Abercynon 25-17. Mason Williams and Owain Reddick touched down for two unconverted tries for The Village, with outside-half Neil Burnett adding five penalties.
Abercynon outscored Abercwmboi three tries to two with Nathan Jones, Iwan Dawes and Morgan Davies all touching down as they more than played their part in a thrilling final.
“I didn’t think I’d play here again after I finished, but then first season I go back to my local club we end up playing in a cup final on Sardis Road, it’s fate really isn’t it,” said the 36-year-old Lockyer.
“It was exciting to go back because of all the memories and just nice to be back at Sardis and see a couple of old friends. It was good win and a massive triumph for the club, considering we’d never won the District Cup before.”
It was the fourth meeting of the season between the two sides and a third win for Abercwmboi, who won the Division 2 East central title with a perfect 10 out of 10 record.
Abercynon were bidding to take the Mid District title for the first time since 2011. They had seen off Gilfach Goch 37-28 in the other semi-final.
Williams gave Abercwmboi a sixth minute lead on the right wing, latching on to a kick from Burnett, who missed the conversion. Burnett was though successful with a penalty attempt on 10 minutes, but Abercynon hit back less than two minutes later with a try of their own, as Jack Bruford’s offload sent Jones over, with the former taking care of the extras.
Abercwmboi took a 16-7 lead into the break after a second Burnett penalty and a try right on half-time from hooker Reddick. Burnett split the posts again to extend the lead to 19-7 with 20 minutes remaining.
But Abercynon tries from Dawes and Davies, either side of a fourth Burnett penalty, set-up a grandstand finish and pulled them back to within five after Bruford had missed both conversion attempts. Despite a couple of nervy moments, Abercwmboi held on and Burnett sent over a fifth penalty to seal it.
“It could have gone either way. There was nothing between us really and having played them a couple of times already this year we knew it would be tough, but we just held on, our defence was good and that won us the game in the end, really, added Lockyer.
“We’ve had to dig in a few games this year but we just work hard for each other, the boys give everything and in rugby that’s usually enough.”
