After losing their SWALEC National League Division 1 East status in 2011, they regained it in some style 12 months on as they bounced back to win the SWALEC Division 2 East title – just as they had done four years earlier.
Back in 2006/07 Ystrad were relegated from SWALEC Division 1 East, but hit back to win the Division 2 East title the following season with 19 wins, 81 tries and 87 points. Chris Hanly’s squad suffered one more defeat, four, but secured the same amount of points and scored more tries.
The title was safely secured with one game left to play with a 26-13 home win over Llantrisant and nothing more than a little bit of pride was at stake on the last weekend of the season at Ynysybwl, when the team that finished fourth in the league came up with a 21-14 win.
But nothing could detract from a remarkable recovery by the team coached by Simon Jenkins and Dylan Jones and managed by Bradley Hughes. They are back where they feel they belong.
“We got relegated last year and had to stick together through the bad times. It was really hard, and we were getting low numbers at training, but we’re a close bunch of boys and pulled together,” said skipper and second row Chris Hanly.
“We’ve had a young side and a number of the players have grown up a lot this year. They’ve been coming through for a couple of years, they’ve developed really well and there’s an air of real confidence at the club now.
“After coming down we wanted to prove ourselves to everyone all over again. That’s why we’re really chuffed to have won the title. There was a massive turn-out at the club from right across the community.
“I’ve had seven years at the club and it’s been up and down with promotion and relegation. We had a couple of years in Division One and we all know we’re going to have to fight together to stay up. It is going to be difficult next season, but all the boys are focussed on giving it a real go.
“Hopefully, we have learned from previous years in Division One and we will take that on board. We’re looking for a mid-table finish.
“It has been a huge honour for me to captain the club and winning the title is a massive deal for everyone. We’re all buzzing and there’s been a great atmosphere in the club. This title also gives our mini section something to aim for in the future and it is a big deal for them as well.”
