It is a big week for the ‘Tyrchs as they re-open their main lounge after a major refurbishment tomorrow to ensure they are all spick and span as they move into their 140th year in 2023. But it was the action on the field that mattered most on Saturday afternoon.
The stage was set on a newly re-seeded pitch at Parc Y Dwrlyn Fields and the teams from both Pentyrch and Tylorstown didn’t disappoint the healthy crowd who flocked to see the Admiral National League Division 3 East Central clash.
Pentyrch RFC
Two new coaches, some new players and many bodies that hadn’t experienced hits like those dished out during a competitive contest were on display. The points went to the home team in the end thanks to a 23-5 triumph.
The biggest smile on the day was on the face of the Pentyrch president, the former S4C rugby commentator Huw Llywelyn-Davies, who designated the match as a memorial to former chairman Gary Samuel, who died last month.
There was a minute’s silence for the former Cardiff scrum half and coach, who also played for Pontypridd, before both the Youth and 1st XV fixtures and the clubhouse rose to salute him once again when there was a tribute for him at Sardis Road ahead of the Indigo Prem game between Ponty and Cardiff.
Pentyrch RFC president, Huw Llywelyn-Davies
“We were very anxious to make it a fitting tribute to a man who always advocated open rugby. Former players all said how much they enjoyed his coaching and it was Mark Ring who always claimed it was Gary Sam who encouraged his Cardiff team not to be afraid to take risks and to do their best to excite the crowd,” said Llywelyn-Davies.
“Our Youth side were outstanding in beating Llanharan by more than 50 points and the 1st XV were superb in both attack and defence in order to beat a strong Tylorstown team. Gary would have been thrilled at that.
“He would also have been thrilled to see so many friends of his from the community here in Pentyrch and from the two choirs in which he sang thoroughly enjoying themselves. We’ve all remembered him and given him a toast on and off the field – He will be sorely missed, not only here in Pentrych, but also across Welsh rugby.”
As a village club founded in 1883, Pentyrch have a flourishing club at the heart of a wonderful facility that caters for rugby, cricket, football, tennis and bowls. Other local societies use the clubhouse facilities each week.
The thriving Mini & Junior section has played its part in producing some very good players – Seb Davies, Harri Robinson and Robin Sowden-Taylor all graduated into professional rugby and the Wales team and Jack Davies played on the wing for Llanelli in the Indigo Prem in their first fixture against Swansea –
A win over Caerphilly, from a higher division, in pre-season gave new head coach Chris Moss an inkling that things were coming together nicely and the win over Tylorstown confirmed that.
“Chris is supported by our outside half Morgan Hayward and we’ve had one of two new players join us this season. They made an impact with three of the four tries coming from two of them,” added Llywelyn-Davies.
“We have a few players to come back into the side, so we feel we’re in good shape. We’re playing some good rugby and the season looks promising on the field.”
But perhaps the biggest boost for the president was seeing a packed clubhouse on Saturday evening as the players began to lick their wounds and the supporters began to get into full voice. It helped they were back by members of Gary Sam’s two choirs, Côr Meibion Taf and Côr Hen Nodiant.
“We sang a few songs to pay tribute to Gary after the game and I hope his family enjoyed it. It was a fitting way to honour him – running rugby on the field and some wonderful singing afterwards,” said Llywelyn-Davies.
“The clubhouse was full and a lot of our success off the field is down to a hard working committee, some generous vice-presidents and a club manager, Trish, who has been very successful in attracting new groups to use our facilities.
“We are able to remain open every day of the week, although it has been a struggle over the past two years to do that, and the treasurer has worked tirelessly to keep us afloat. We’re very proud to be a hub for our community and many local societies meet here during the week.
“We are constantly examining ways to cut costs and raise revenue and we’re hoping our investment in solar panels will help us through the energy crisis.”
First half tries from hooker Ethan Williams and No 8 Dean Maisey gave the ‘Tyrchs a 13-5 lead – the Tylorstown try came from prop Marcus Thomas – and there were two more after the break to snap up the bonus-point.
It wasn’t the start that one of the new coaches at Tylorstown was looking for. Having switched from Porth Quins in the summer, Anthony James had hoped to get off to a winning start.
“The result didn’t go with us, although I thought we were the better side in the first half. Things just didn’t go our way,” said James.
“We’d only had one pre-season game and I think our game sharpness suffered because of that. It was just great to see the lads back out there and, even though the result didn’t go our way, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
“It was my first game with the club after a two month pre-season and all the players are keen and excited to get back to a full-on league campaign.
“It’s just nice to have rugby back in our lives as we used to know it and, as I told the players after the game, we go again next weekend.
“We’ve had good numbers at training and a few of the players who thought they were going to hang up their boots are starting to reappear. Unfortunately, a few teams have had to fold or drop down the divisions.”
