Aberavon Quins RFC
Encyclopedia
Aberavon Harlequins RFC (AKA "The Mighty Quins") is a Welsh
rugby union
team located in the Fairfield area of Port Talbot
, and just a few minutes away from the town centre & Aberavon
. In 1955 the team applied for and were successful in gaining membership to the Welsh Rugby Union
. Today the club is a feeder club for the Ospreys.
Currently the club has several sides playing under the name. There are two senior sides, a youth team, an under 15's team and an under 12's team. The senior 1st team currently plays in the WRU Division Two West
. The Youth team are also currently playing in the WRU National Youth League Division D.
Two semi-professional/professional players to have played for the club in the past are James Hook
and Richard Hibbard
, who now play for USA Perpignan
& Ospreys, respectively and have both received full Welsh caps. Hook also played a part in the Welsh Rugby Union World Cup squads of 2007 & 2011, as well as the Six Nations Championship
Grand Slam winning side of 2008.
Other notable past players include Johnny Ring, Trevor Lloyd
, Len Cunningham, Tony O'Connor and Alan Martin
, who all represented Wales, with some even going on to represent the British and Irish Lions
.
& Aberavon RFC
.
In 1926/27, Aberavon RFC formed a second XV. This inevitably attracted the better Quins players and for a few seasons for which this team ran it was a struggle to keep the Quins going.
In 1932/33, the club was reformed by Dick Lody, Dill Stanford, Don Mainwaring and H.Williams. This marked a period of great expansion there was great improvement in enthusiasm and fixtures. The club went from strength to strength, until the outbreak of World War II
. Inevitably playing of all sport was curtailed but a decision by the local authority in connection with the war effort brought mixed blessings to the club. Their playing area laid by their own efforts, was needed for the ‘Grow Your Own Food’ campaign, and became allotments for local residents.
When the war ended another era began. The club was again to reform. Dick Lody was the sec, Fred Bamsey the Treasurer (Fred’s father Griff had been captain in 1922/23). Players were keen to get back in harness, eventually the allotments were ploughed up and levelled, reseeded and the area fenced off. Posts were moved to an area close to the Brwyna and once more they changed in St Dyfrigs Hall as in 1918. The captain of the team was Griff Davies who was later a long serving treasurer. Despite difficulties The Burton Cup and Hospitals Cup were won.
In 1951 the playing strength received a tremendous boost, when former Maesteg RFC
, Wales
and British Lions
scrum half Trevor Lloyd
came back to his original club Aberavon Harlequins. Lloyd made an immediate impact on the playing side and soon made his presence felt. His arrival co-incided with the club’s application for WRU status.
1955/56 was the best ever playing record in the Quins history. In over thirty matches they lost only once. They beat Taibach RFC
(inaugural Glamorgan Silver Ball winners) three times and beat a number of other WRU clubs. Trevor Lloyd’s invaluable experience, toughness and enthusiasm made all the difference to the team. He was a fine example of how clubs like the Quins have been repaid for their existence as a feeder club. His presence demonstrated that traffic between smaller and bigger clubs does not need to be one way.
In the season 2001/02 the Quins' were placed in Lloyd’s TSB Division Two West, along with local rivals Corus (Port Talbot) RFC
, however the two teams fortunes could not have been more differing. The Quins; with a great history & heritage were struggling to adapt to the professional era, where players were now expecting to be financially rewarded for their efforts on the field of play. Even though clubs were still capped at how much they could pay their players, many of the lower league clubs suffered as a result of this ruling.
The Quins were no exception losing many players to higher paying clubs such as BP Landarcy, Cwmavon RFC
& Corus. The Quins struggled in their inaugural season in the new WRU league format, fielding largely patch-up sides made together of local players from neighbouring teams & loyal Quins' stalwarts. Due recognition must be given to Aberavon Naval RFC for loaning the Quins several of their first team players, so much so that even today they are nicknamed the (unofficial) Quins second team!
After an arduous couple of seasons in division 2 west the Quins stared relegation in the face before their fate was sealed with a points deduction for fielding ineligible players. The Quins were demoted to ASDA Division 3 South West and the horizon was bleak.
It was during these difficult years though that steady progress was being made amongst the Quins age grade rugby and one team in particular were causing quite a stir. By the time they were at youth level everyone in Port Talbot was talking about the Quins' team captained by Marc Breeze (later of Aberavon, London Welsh RFC, Ospreys & Barbarians F.C.). Players such as; Billy Lavis, Craig Cox, Chris Jones, Dan Phillips, Gareth Pugh, Glenn Williams, Marc Shepard, Marcus David, Rhys Williams, Stuart Phillips & the Owen brothers were making some serious headlines for themselves and keeping the first team regulars looking precariously over their shoulders!
The first team though, coached at the time by John Breeze (Marc’s uncle), were wise not to rush the youngsters and they were blooded into senior first team action gradually. Youth team coach at the time (and former first team prop) Andrew Dacy decided that the team needed one more season together to fully realize their potential and therefore created the Quins' first ever U21 side; which famously recorded a 32-15 victory against the British Army
U21 in January 2006. Dacy later went on to replace John Breeze as first team coach and continue the sterling work he had started with this exciting crop of young players. The Quins now with the perfect mix of youth & experience slowly began to creep back up the ranks, finishing the 2006/07 season in 4’th.
The 2007/08 season saw Quins' stalwart, record captain and silver ball winner David ‘Gus’ McGrath return to the club as coach, teaming up with backs coach John Rees. The Quins were back! Enjoying an impressive cup run and finishing the season second in the league before narrowly losing out in a promotion play-off to Gilfach Goch RFC
. By the time the 08/09 season arrived the players were champing at the bite! Now seasoned first team players & with a year behind them under the leadership of Gus, John & captain Richie Wanklyn, the Quins were ready to mix it up!
The season culminated as being the most trophy laden the club has ever enjoyed with the first team being crowned champions of division 3 South West & the development side winning the Neath/Port Talbot District Cup. Then on Saturday the 23’rd of May, 2009 (after a 28 year wait), the Quins regained the famous Glamorgan County Silver Ball Trophy
, with a 17-3 victory over Llantwit Fardre RFC
at the Dairy field in Llanharan. Subsequently what followed was the presidents cup & promotion back to SWALEC Division 2 West, where the Quins are still playing today & holding their own by continuing to bring rich crops of young talent through the ranks.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
team located in the Fairfield area of Port Talbot
Port Talbot
Port Talbot is a town in Neath Port Talbot, Wales. It had a population of 35,633 in 2001.-History:Port Talbot grew out of the original small port and market town of Aberafan , which belonged to the medieval Lords of Afan. The area of the parish of Margam lying on the west bank of the lower Afan...
, and just a few minutes away from the town centre & Aberavon
Aberavon
Aberavon is a settlement in Neath Port Talbot county borough, Wales. The town derived its name from being near the mouth of the river Afan, which also gave its name to a medieval lordship. Today it is essentially a district of Port Talbot, covering the central and south western part of the town...
. In 1955 the team applied for and were successful in gaining membership to the Welsh Rugby Union
Welsh Rugby Union
The Welsh Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board.The union's patron is Queen Elizabeth II, and her grandson Prince William of Wales became the Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union as of February 2007.-History:The roots of the...
. Today the club is a feeder club for the Ospreys.
Currently the club has several sides playing under the name. There are two senior sides, a youth team, an under 15's team and an under 12's team. The senior 1st team currently plays in the WRU Division Two West
WRU Division Two West
The Welsh Rugby Union Division Two West is a rugby union league in Wales.- Competition:There are 12 clubs in the WRU Division Two West...
. The Youth team are also currently playing in the WRU National Youth League Division D.
Two semi-professional/professional players to have played for the club in the past are James Hook
James Hook (rugby player)
James William Hook is a Welsh rugby union player for USA Perpignan. Hook is widely regarded as one of the most talented players in world rugby....
and Richard Hibbard
Richard Hibbard
Richard Hibbard , is a Wales international rugby union player. A hooker, he started playing rugby at age grade levels at clubs in the town of Port Talbot, such as; Aberavon Quins RFC & Taibach. He went on to play at senior level for Taibach, Aberavon RFC and Swansea before making his name at the...
, who now play for USA Perpignan
USA Perpignan
Union Sportive des Arlequins Perpignanais or Unió eSportiva Arlequins de Perpinyà , generally abbreviated as USAP in both languages, is a French rugby union club that plays in the city of Perpignan in Pyrénées-Orientales. The club currently competes in the Top 14, the top level of the French...
& Ospreys, respectively and have both received full Welsh caps. Hook also played a part in the Welsh Rugby Union World Cup squads of 2007 & 2011, as well as the Six Nations Championship
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
Grand Slam winning side of 2008.
Other notable past players include Johnny Ring, Trevor Lloyd
Trevor Lloyd
Trevor Lloyd is a former international rugby union player.Lloyd hailed from Port Talbot, where he started playing club rugby with the Aberavon Quins RFC, he made his debut for Wales on 14 March 1953 versus Ireland and was selected for the 1955 British Lions tour to South Africa...
, Len Cunningham, Tony O'Connor and Alan Martin
Alan Martin
Alan Martin could refer to:*Alan Martin , Former Australian rules footballer*Alan Martin , English footballer*Alan Martin , Scottish goalkeeper...
, who all represented Wales, with some even going on to represent the British and Irish Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
.
Captains List
- H. Williams 1946-47
- G. Davies 1947/48
- J. Vaughan 1948-49
- A. Jones 1949-50
- D. Stanford 1950-51
- C. Cowell 1951-52
- B. Harwood 1952-53
- D. Stevens 1953-54
- J. Maddocks 1954-55
- A. Palmer 1955-56
- D. Jones 1956-57
- S. Bagshaw 1957-58
- W. Hopson 1958-59
- A. Palmer 1959-60
- J. Maddocks 1960-61
- A. Palmer 1961-62
- I. Thomas 1962-63
- R. Davies 1963-64
- D. Spiers 1964-65
- L. Hunt 1965-66
- A. John 1966-67
- A. John 1967-68
- D. Roberts 1968-69
- A. John 1969-70
- K. Lloyd 1970-71
- B. Locke 1971-72
- P. Parry 1972-73
- D. Whitelock 1973-74
- D. Whitelock 1974-75
- L. Ford 1975-76
- L. Ford 1976-77
- L. Ford 1977-78
- D. Roberts 1978-79
- D. Broad 1979-80
- D. Broad 1980-81
- A. Hoare 1981-82
- L. Ford 1982-83
- D. McGrath 1983-84
- D. McGrath 1984-85
- J. Rees 1985-86
- D. McGrath 1986-87
- D. McGrath 1987-88
- D. McGrath 1988-89
- D. McGrath 1989-90
- L. Whitelock 1990-91
- D. McGrath 1991-92
- M. Tobin 1992-93
- D. Smith 1993-94
- H. Williams 1994-95
- A. Suter 1995-96
- A. Suter 1996-97
- A. Dacey 1997-98
- R. Parfitt 1998-99
- A. Williams 1999-00
- G. Matthews 2000-01
- A. Williams 2001-02
- P. Miller 2002-03
- P. Miller 2003-04
- P. Miller 2004-05
- P. Miller 2005-06
- D. Gibbs 2006-07
- R. Wanklyn 2007-08
- R. Wanklyn 2008-09
- R. Wanklyn 2009-10
- L. Hayden 2010-11
- L. Hayden 2011-12
Club honours
- 1981-82 Central Glamorgan League - Champions
- 1981-82 Glamorgan County Silver Ball TrophyGlamorgan County Silver Ball TrophyThe Glamorgan County Silver Ball Trophy , is a Welsh rugby union competition open to all non-premier Welsh Rugby Union clubs playing in the Glamorganshire area....
- Winners - 1982-83 President's Cup - Winners
- 1987-88 Central Glamorgan League - Champions
- 1989-90 Central Glamorgan League - Champions
- 2005-06 Neath and Port Talbot District Cup - Winners (Development XV)
- 2008-09 Glamorgan County Silver Ball TrophyGlamorgan County Silver Ball TrophyThe Glamorgan County Silver Ball Trophy , is a Welsh rugby union competition open to all non-premier Welsh Rugby Union clubs playing in the Glamorganshire area....
- Winners - 2008-09 WRU Division Three South WestWRU Division Three South WestThe Welsh Rugby Union Division Three South West is a rugby union league in Wales.- Competition:There are 12 clubs in the WRU Division Three South West...
- Champions - 2008-09 Neath and Port Talbot District Cup - Winners (Development XV)
- 2009-10 President's Cup - Winners
- 2009-10 Neath and Port Talbot District Cup - Winners (Development XV)
Club Records
- Record 1st XV Victory - 88 - 0 .v. Hirwaun, home. 15/09/1979
- Record Appearances as Captain 1st XV - David McGrath 7 Seasons
- Record 1st XV Appearances - Phil Parry 703
- Record Points Scorer in a Season - Russell Baker 275 points, season 1986/87
- Record Points Scorer in a Match - Marc Sheppard 32 points, .v. Tonna, season 2007/08
- Record Try Scorer in a Season - Francis Reynolds, 27 tries, season 1970/71
- Record Try Scorer of all Time - Alan Jones, 287 Tries
- Record Try Scorer in a Match - George Glover 6 tries, .v. Beddau season 1968/69, Craig Cox 6 tries, .v. Cwmgorse season 2007/08
A Brief History ...
The real beginning was in 1904 when they were known as the Aberavon Excels and played in an all white strip. After the first world war in 1918 the nucleus of the Excels met and formed the Aberavon Harlequins R.F.C. as it has been known as ever since. They played on flat waste ground in what is now the Sandfields Estate; this then became to be known as the Harlequins Field. They changed in St Dyfrigs Church Hall. Sid Davies who had been with the Excels was the secretary and the skipper was Griff Bamsey, who together with his brother Willie became stalwart forwards with Neath RFCNeath RFC
Neath Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. The club's home ground is The Gnoll, Neath. The first team is known as the Welsh All Blacks because of the team colours: black with only a white cross pattée as an emblem...
& Aberavon RFC
Aberavon RFC
Aberavon RFC is a rugby union club located in the Welsh town of Port Talbot, although the club's name refers to the older settlement of Aberavon which lies on the western side of the town...
.
In 1926/27, Aberavon RFC formed a second XV. This inevitably attracted the better Quins players and for a few seasons for which this team ran it was a struggle to keep the Quins going.
In 1932/33, the club was reformed by Dick Lody, Dill Stanford, Don Mainwaring and H.Williams. This marked a period of great expansion there was great improvement in enthusiasm and fixtures. The club went from strength to strength, until the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Inevitably playing of all sport was curtailed but a decision by the local authority in connection with the war effort brought mixed blessings to the club. Their playing area laid by their own efforts, was needed for the ‘Grow Your Own Food’ campaign, and became allotments for local residents.
When the war ended another era began. The club was again to reform. Dick Lody was the sec, Fred Bamsey the Treasurer (Fred’s father Griff had been captain in 1922/23). Players were keen to get back in harness, eventually the allotments were ploughed up and levelled, reseeded and the area fenced off. Posts were moved to an area close to the Brwyna and once more they changed in St Dyfrigs Hall as in 1918. The captain of the team was Griff Davies who was later a long serving treasurer. Despite difficulties The Burton Cup and Hospitals Cup were won.
In 1951 the playing strength received a tremendous boost, when former Maesteg RFC
Maesteg RFC
Maesteg Rugby Football Club is a rugby union team from the town of Maesteg, South Wales. The club presently play in the Welsh Rugby Union Division One West and is a feeder club for the Ospreys.-Club history:...
, Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
and British Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
scrum half Trevor Lloyd
Trevor Lloyd
Trevor Lloyd is a former international rugby union player.Lloyd hailed from Port Talbot, where he started playing club rugby with the Aberavon Quins RFC, he made his debut for Wales on 14 March 1953 versus Ireland and was selected for the 1955 British Lions tour to South Africa...
came back to his original club Aberavon Harlequins. Lloyd made an immediate impact on the playing side and soon made his presence felt. His arrival co-incided with the club’s application for WRU status.
1955/56 was the best ever playing record in the Quins history. In over thirty matches they lost only once. They beat Taibach RFC
Taibach RFC
Taibach Rugby Football Club are a Welsh rugby union club based in Taibach near Port Talbot in Wales, UK. The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is also a feeder club for the Ospreys....
(inaugural Glamorgan Silver Ball winners) three times and beat a number of other WRU clubs. Trevor Lloyd’s invaluable experience, toughness and enthusiasm made all the difference to the team. He was a fine example of how clubs like the Quins have been repaid for their existence as a feeder club. His presence demonstrated that traffic between smaller and bigger clubs does not need to be one way.
Recent History ...
At the turn of the Millennium, in an attempt to modernize the governing body of Welsh rugby union, and bring Wales fully into the professional era, it was decided to restructure the Welsh leagues and source out new sponsorship revenue for them. Teams would be allocated a division depending on their recent season’s order of merit & where they are on the map.In the season 2001/02 the Quins' were placed in Lloyd’s TSB Division Two West, along with local rivals Corus (Port Talbot) RFC
Corus (Port Talbot) RFC
Corus Rugby Football Club are a Welsh rugby union clubs based in Port Talbot. The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Ospreys....
, however the two teams fortunes could not have been more differing. The Quins; with a great history & heritage were struggling to adapt to the professional era, where players were now expecting to be financially rewarded for their efforts on the field of play. Even though clubs were still capped at how much they could pay their players, many of the lower league clubs suffered as a result of this ruling.
The Quins were no exception losing many players to higher paying clubs such as BP Landarcy, Cwmavon RFC
Cwmavon RFC
Cwmavon Rugby Football Club also known as Cwmafan Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Cwmafan, Wales. Cwmavon RFC is a member club of the Welsh Rugby Union, and is a feeder club for the Ospreys....
& Corus. The Quins struggled in their inaugural season in the new WRU league format, fielding largely patch-up sides made together of local players from neighbouring teams & loyal Quins' stalwarts. Due recognition must be given to Aberavon Naval RFC for loaning the Quins several of their first team players, so much so that even today they are nicknamed the (unofficial) Quins second team!
After an arduous couple of seasons in division 2 west the Quins stared relegation in the face before their fate was sealed with a points deduction for fielding ineligible players. The Quins were demoted to ASDA Division 3 South West and the horizon was bleak.
It was during these difficult years though that steady progress was being made amongst the Quins age grade rugby and one team in particular were causing quite a stir. By the time they were at youth level everyone in Port Talbot was talking about the Quins' team captained by Marc Breeze (later of Aberavon, London Welsh RFC, Ospreys & Barbarians F.C.). Players such as; Billy Lavis, Craig Cox, Chris Jones, Dan Phillips, Gareth Pugh, Glenn Williams, Marc Shepard, Marcus David, Rhys Williams, Stuart Phillips & the Owen brothers were making some serious headlines for themselves and keeping the first team regulars looking precariously over their shoulders!
The first team though, coached at the time by John Breeze (Marc’s uncle), were wise not to rush the youngsters and they were blooded into senior first team action gradually. Youth team coach at the time (and former first team prop) Andrew Dacy decided that the team needed one more season together to fully realize their potential and therefore created the Quins' first ever U21 side; which famously recorded a 32-15 victory against the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
U21 in January 2006. Dacy later went on to replace John Breeze as first team coach and continue the sterling work he had started with this exciting crop of young players. The Quins now with the perfect mix of youth & experience slowly began to creep back up the ranks, finishing the 2006/07 season in 4’th.
The 2007/08 season saw Quins' stalwart, record captain and silver ball winner David ‘Gus’ McGrath return to the club as coach, teaming up with backs coach John Rees. The Quins were back! Enjoying an impressive cup run and finishing the season second in the league before narrowly losing out in a promotion play-off to Gilfach Goch RFC
Gilfach Goch RFC
Gilfach Goch Rugby Football Club is a rugby union team from the village of Gilfach Goch, South Wales. Gilfach Goch RFC was established in 1889, has been a member of the Welsh Rugby Union since 1956 and is a feeder club for the Cardiff Blues....
. By the time the 08/09 season arrived the players were champing at the bite! Now seasoned first team players & with a year behind them under the leadership of Gus, John & captain Richie Wanklyn, the Quins were ready to mix it up!
The season culminated as being the most trophy laden the club has ever enjoyed with the first team being crowned champions of division 3 South West & the development side winning the Neath/Port Talbot District Cup. Then on Saturday the 23’rd of May, 2009 (after a 28 year wait), the Quins regained the famous Glamorgan County Silver Ball Trophy
Glamorgan County Silver Ball Trophy
The Glamorgan County Silver Ball Trophy , is a Welsh rugby union competition open to all non-premier Welsh Rugby Union clubs playing in the Glamorganshire area....
, with a 17-3 victory over Llantwit Fardre RFC
Llantwit Fardre RFC
Llantwit Fardre Rugby Football Club is a rugby union team from the village of Llantwit Fardre, South Wales. The club was formed in its present state in 1946 and obtained membership of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1949...
at the Dairy field in Llanharan. Subsequently what followed was the presidents cup & promotion back to SWALEC Division 2 West, where the Quins are still playing today & holding their own by continuing to bring rich crops of young talent through the ranks.