The 43-year-old former Bath, Scarlets and Cardiff Blues back row man had to play against world class stars such as Joost van der Westhuizen and Gary Teichmann on his international debut. The names in the Oakdale side that will meet his team later this month might not be as big, but they will pose as big an obstacle to picking up the title on the biggest day out in the club’s 144 year history.
As player-coach at the Division 3 East A – he is also master in charge of rugby at Llandovery College – Thomas was at the heart of a dramatic second half revival in the semi-final against previously unbeaten Nantgaredig at Llanharan that saw them fight back from 20-10 down to win 25-23.
Usually an impact player who gets 20 minutes, Thomas played the full 80 at the Dairy Field and crossed for a vital try as his side conjured up a winning try from wing Anthony Squire deep into injury time. That levelled things up at 23-23 and young outside half Nathan Williams provided the killer touch with the conversion from in front of the posts.
Williams, fresh out of youth team rugby, had kept his cool in the quarter-finals to kick the match winning penalty in an 18-17 triumph over Penygraig. He also kicked the winning conversion in the 9-7 victory at Treharris earlier in the tournament.
“I can’t believe we are through to the final – it’s brilliant” said a physically and emotionally exhausted Thomas after the final whistle.
His latest final will come 21 years after he played in the epic Heineken Cup final between Bath and defending champions Brive in Bordeaux. On that occasion Bath came out on top 19-18.
The final will be an all-Gwent affair between the top two teams in Division 3 East A. They have met twice already this season and the current score is 1-1.
In January, Oakdale won 27-0 at the Recreation Ground while Abergavenny took the spoils 13-7 when they were the hosts in October. Something will have to give on the biggest stage of them all.
Oakdale also won a thriller, beating Bridgend Sports 20-15 at Taffs Well. Tries from Connor Jenkins and Shane Kerby, plus 10 points from the boot of outside half Simon Veall sealed the deal for Oakdale to send them into their first final.
They currently have a two-point lead over Abergavenny at the top of table with both teams having lost just one of their 14 fixtures. Will it be a trophy each at the end of the season or will one of them do the double?
