The great Welsh rugby bard certainly won’t be there because he will be at the head of a small army of supporters of the village rugby team, who are heading to Principality Stadium to face Llanelli Wanderers in the Division 1 Cup final.
At the last count the club had filled 16 buses for the trip to the Welsh capital. The only reason there weren’t any more was because the club couldn’t find any more buses available!
Last month, club president, and groundsman, Max was at the home of Welsh rugby to unveil some new verses of his immortal rugby anthem, ‘Hymns ‘n Arias’, ahead of the Wales v France Six Nations match.
If Glynneath win the cup, then he might have to pen a few more lines to commemorate what would be among the greatest achievement in the club’s rich history. In 2006, the Youth team triumph at the then Millennium Stadium in a 14-10 win over Rumney in the Welsh Youth Cup final.
Two years later they picked up the first of four championship titles in the space of six years, which culminated in winning the Division 1 West crown with an unbeaten record in 2014. These days they ply their trade in Division 1 West Central and currently sit in third place in the table with another title well within their sights.
There were Silver Ball triumphs in 2012 and 2014, as well as an appearance in the competition. There was also an appearance at the then Millennium stadium in 2011 in the Swalec Plate Final, although Ammanford spiled the party by walking off with the silverware.
One person who remembers that day very well is current head coach Grant Epton, who was in the Glynneath side.
“We had a tour of the ground the day before the game and then we met for breakfast at the White Horse. We dropped down into the stadium off Westgate Street and then walked up the steps to the changing rooms,” recalled Epton.
“It was a really warm day, and the game went by in a flash. Greg Roberts got the first try and even though we lost, we gave a good account of ourselves.
“We will be better prepared to take it on this time, and it sounds as though the whole of the village will be there supporting us. I’m hoping it will feel like a home game and I know it is going to be noisy.”
It was noisy enough after outside half Dylan Francis kicked the math winning penalty in the 16-15 semi-final win over Mountain Ash to secure a dream day out in the Welsh capital. Some suggested Francis should have a statue built alongside the one of Max Boyce after his great kick!
It has been no easy road to the Principality for Epton’s side with all four games being away from home. They beat Rhydyfelin 24-20 in the quarter final, toppled Tondu 18-14 the round before that and won 38-3 at Bethesda in their first assignment.
A 26-3 West Wales Cup semi-final at the end of last month put paid to any thoughts of a ‘treble’, but a league and cup double is still on the cards.
“We could have been aiming for a treble until the defeat at Gowerton, but I’ve reminded the players that we haven’t won anything yet,” said Epton, who has been at the club for 25 years as player, captain and coach.
“We’ve been averaging 30 points per game, and in most matches, we’ve had a dominant scrum. The backs have scored 48 tries and the forwards 29.”
Probably the most well-known era of the club was the ‘Invincible Season’ in 1961-62, when the team captained by Bas Thomas won 37 and drew four of their 41 games. They won the Championship Cup, League Shield and Silver Ball Trophy.
Their undefeated run continued for 11 games in the following season until they were finally defeated by St Luke’s College, Exeter. Their unbeaten streak lasted 55 games, although during the club’s ‘Golden Period’ between 1919-22 they won 86, drew 27 and lost only 16 of their 129 matches.
“It would be nice to do something to match the great sides of the past. We’re third in Division 1 West Central at the moment and need one more win to guarantee promotion,” added Epton.
