The passing of the Wales rugby league Under 19 cap and Dragonhearts centre was a huge shock to the rugby community in Newport. Saracens secretary Mark Vickery says the team will be playing for him at #RTP24 on Saturday, 6 April.
“I know his family miss him terribly and we miss him too, as a player and as a human being. The boys will be looking to the sky on Saturday,” said Vickery.
Sarries have a powerful history with Wales and British & Irish Lions legend Bobby Windsor and Wales scrumming rock Tony ‘Charlie’ Faulkner, who formed the Pontypool and Wales front-row with Graham Price, both playing for them before hitting the big time.
“Sadly, Charlie is no longer with us, but Bobby comes to games sometimes and gives the players encouragement. He was our President for a time,” added Vickery.
“And not many people know Eddie Butler played for and coached Newport Saracens. Eddie was a great man, captained Wales and was a legendary broadcaster before his untimely death.
“Speedy winger Matthew Robinson and flanker Jason Forster, who were both capped by Wales, also appeared for us. We hosted cup kings Llanelli in 1984 at Sandy Lane and held them to 19-9.
“Lions and Wales forward Derek Quinnell was a tough judge at that game. Llanelli went on to win the cup that season so our result against them holds us in good company.”
Nicky Parkes, an ex-Saracens and Cross Keys captain who was a as tough as teak and a popular flanker, is club president and a charismatic figure.
About half the team who will be on duty against Division 4 West Central top guns Tonna, whose only loss to date this season was against South Gower, came through the junior ranks and lined up against Glamorgan Wanderers in the Welsh Youth final at the Principality Stadium in 2013.
“It was a great day even though we lost, and we are hoping to go one better this weekend. We have a thriving junior section and hope they will be at the game,” said Vickery.
Player coach Patrick James played for the victorious Monmouthshire side in the WRU Inter-Districts team at Principality Stadium last week. He had clubmates Ewan Burrows, Kirk Lewis and brother Dex Lewis in the squad with him.
“We have sold out three buses and hope to source more. A match like this will hopefully inspire youngsters from our junior section, which has grown and grown over the last two years,” added Vickery.
As well as chasing cup glory against Tonna, the Sarries are also very much in the hunt for promotion and the title in Division 4 East. Beaten only once in the league this season by second placed Crumlin, they are handily placed in third, eight points behind leaders New Panteg with three games in hand.
They will get the chance to take revenge on Crumlin at home on 20 April in what will be a crucial game in the battle for a top two finish.
