Garndiffaith RFC
Encyclopedia
Garndiffaith Rugby Football Club are a Welsh
rugby union
club based in Garndiffaith
in South Wales. The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union
and is a feeder club for the Newport Gwent Dragons
.
The first games played by Garndiffaith RFC took place in 1922 against local sides such as Caerleon
College and Pontypool Quins. The club disbanded after the outbreak of World War II
, and reformed on June 28th 1946.
The first Garndiffaith Rugby side was formed in 1922 and their fixtures then consisted of sides like Caerleon College, Llanhilleth All Blacks and Pontypool Quins (who later became Pontypool United RFC
) . All were respected sides in the Monmouthshire
area and during these early years the Garn side were winning more games than they were losing. Gardiffaith's home record occurred in the mid-1920s to the mid-1930s when the club went without being defeated at home for nine seasons. That level of performance attracted a large following of supporters but the record finally broke when Pontypool Quins visited the Garn and won by 3 points to nil.
The level of Garndiffaith's play during this period attracted other clubs of senior level, who came to watch them play, which resulted in them becoming a nursery side for other clubs. On one occasion Pontypool RFC
committee watched the senior ream play and within two weeks the whole of the back division turned out for Pontypool.
Garndiffaith's top players include Billy Werret, who for five years was reserve inside half to Wick Powell
of London Welsh and who went on to Captain Pontypool and Arthur Fynn went on to play at Pontypool and gain a Monmouthshire cap.
Players paid one shilling to join and threepence contributions each week. Their ground was Pen-y-lan fields and the committee held their meetings at the Rose & Crown public house which became their headquarters. Their first game was against Talywain
on September 1st 1946. The result was Garndiffaith 5 Talywain 3.
caps in 1952/53. When his career finished his time with Newport he came back to play for the Garndiffaith at the age of 44.
Wilf Parfitt played wing forward for the Garndiffaith and went on to captain Pontypool against the Springboks
in 1951. The second Welsh international to join Garndiffaith in the early 1950s was Graham Jones. He went from the Garn to Ebbw Vale
, where he won three caps. He returned to coach Gardiffaith and made them stronger in both fitness and ability.
Other players from the Garn to go to first class clubs include, Arthur Fynn who went to Pontypool and Willy Beal who joined Tredegar
.
Brian Cordy, played his first game in 1953 when just 17 years of age. He captained the side in the 1964/65 season. He also played for Pontypool before returning to Garndiffaith as coach in 1969/70 where he coached the side for ten years. During which time they won the Monmouthshire Union League twice and were runners up twice. The club also won the Ben Francis Cup and came runners up during that period. Cordy went to senior coach and alongside his role at the Garn he helped coach the Monmouthshire Union and Monmouthshire County Sides. In 1979/80 he left the Garn to take up coaching duties at Abertillery
, who were then a first class club. Cordy is a Life Member of the club.
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...
club based in Garndiffaith
Garndiffaith
Garndiffaith is a village located in Torfaen, south east Wales. It is a small rural area situated between Talywain and Varteg, three miles north of the town of Pontypool and 3.5 miles south of the town of Blaenavon...
in South Wales. The club is a member of 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...
and is a feeder club for the Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons are one of the four professional Rugby Union regional teams in Wales. They are jointly owned by Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union and play all their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Heineken Cup...
.
The first games played by Garndiffaith RFC took place in 1922 against local sides such as Caerleon
Caerleon
Caerleon is a suburban village and community, situated on the River Usk in the northern outskirts of the city of Newport, South Wales. Caerleon is a site of archaeological importance, being the site of a notable Roman legionary fortress, Isca Augusta, and an Iron Age hill fort...
College and Pontypool Quins. The club disbanded after 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...
, and reformed on June 28th 1946.
Early history
Garndiffaith Rugby Club (known to locals as Garn) consisted of prominent ex-schoolboys who served as a nursery side for many of the senior clubs. The boys changed and bathed at the Band Club (now the Garndiffaith Workingmen's Club). Washing in half barrel's, with hot water carried from a house opposite the club. Mr Josh Bannions trained the side and they played their rugby on a field which now houses Rock Villa Close.The first Garndiffaith Rugby side was formed in 1922 and their fixtures then consisted of sides like Caerleon College, Llanhilleth All Blacks and Pontypool Quins (who later became Pontypool United RFC
Pontypool United RFC
Pontypool United Rugby Football Club are a Welsh rugby union club based in Pontypool South Wales. The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Newport Gwent Dragons, currently playing in the Welsh Rugby Union Division 3 East and Challenge Cup.Pontypool United are a...
) . All were respected sides in the Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire is a county in south east Wales. The name derives from the historic county of Monmouthshire which covered a much larger area. The largest town is Abergavenny. There are many castles in Monmouthshire .-Historic county:...
area and during these early years the Garn side were winning more games than they were losing. Gardiffaith's home record occurred in the mid-1920s to the mid-1930s when the club went without being defeated at home for nine seasons. That level of performance attracted a large following of supporters but the record finally broke when Pontypool Quins visited the Garn and won by 3 points to nil.
The level of Garndiffaith's play during this period attracted other clubs of senior level, who came to watch them play, which resulted in them becoming a nursery side for other clubs. On one occasion Pontypool RFC
Pontypool RFC
Pontypool Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team based in the town of Pontypool. Pontypool RFC has a long history within Welsh rugby and is one of the most notable clubs, being present at the formation of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1881, but disbanding before the turn of the 19th century...
committee watched the senior ream play and within two weeks the whole of the back division turned out for Pontypool.
Garndiffaith's top players include Billy Werret, who for five years was reserve inside half to Wick Powell
Wick Powell
William Charles "Wick" Powell was a Welsh international rugby union scrum-half who played club rugby for London Welsh and county rugby for Middlesex...
of London Welsh and who went on to Captain Pontypool and Arthur Fynn went on to play at Pontypool and gain a Monmouthshire cap.
Post war history
Garndiffaith had to disband during the Second World War. When the war was over there was a local meeting to reform the team, and at a meeting on 28 June 1946 the club was recreated.Players paid one shilling to join and threepence contributions each week. Their ground was Pen-y-lan fields and the committee held their meetings at the Rose & Crown public house which became their headquarters. Their first game was against Talywain
Talywain RFC
Talywain Rugby Football Club are a Welsh rugby union club based in Talywain near the town of Pontypool, Wales. The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Newport Gwent Dragons....
on September 1st 1946. The result was Garndiffaith 5 Talywain 3.
International and first class players
Several players have started with Garndiffaith and have gone on to win international caps. One such player was W. A. Williams who played outside half. He went on to Pontypool where he picked up an injury, when fit again he was left out of the side to face Neath. He then moved to Talywain before moving on to Newport, where he gained three WelshWales 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...
caps in 1952/53. When his career finished his time with Newport he came back to play for the Garndiffaith at the age of 44.
Wilf Parfitt played wing forward for the Garndiffaith and went on to captain Pontypool against the Springboks
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
in 1951. The second Welsh international to join Garndiffaith in the early 1950s was Graham Jones. He went from the Garn to Ebbw Vale
Ebbw Vale RFC
Ebbw Vale Rugby Football Club is a Welsh Rugby Union Club based in the town of Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, South Wales. The club currently play in the WRU Division One East and the SWALEC Cup. It also acts as a feeder club for the Newport Gwent Dragons....
, where he won three caps. He returned to coach Gardiffaith and made them stronger in both fitness and ability.
Other players from the Garn to go to first class clubs include, Arthur Fynn who went to Pontypool and Willy Beal who joined Tredegar
Tredegar RFC
Tredegar Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team based in Tredegar. The club was founded in 1893 but at that time played under the name Tredegar Harriers. The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Newport Gwent Dragons....
.
Brian Cordy, played his first game in 1953 when just 17 years of age. He captained the side in the 1964/65 season. He also played for Pontypool before returning to Garndiffaith as coach in 1969/70 where he coached the side for ten years. During which time they won the Monmouthshire Union League twice and were runners up twice. The club also won the Ben Francis Cup and came runners up during that period. Cordy went to senior coach and alongside his role at the Garn he helped coach the Monmouthshire Union and Monmouthshire County Sides. In 1979/80 he left the Garn to take up coaching duties at Abertillery
Abertillery RFC
Abertillery Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club based in Abertillery. According to their web site, they were founded in 1883, though other sources state 1884. Their team colours are green and white and their home ground is Abertillery Park in Abertillery. The club is a member of the...
, who were then a first class club. Cordy is a Life Member of the club.
Club honours
- 2006/07 WRU Division Four EastWRU Division Four EastThe Welsh Rugby Union Division Four East is a rugby union league in Wales.-Competition:There are 12 clubs in the WRU Division Four East...
- Champions - 2008/09 WRU Division Three EastWRU Division Three EastThe Welsh Rugby Union Division Three East is a rugby union league in Wales.- Competition:There are 12 clubs in the WRU Division Three East...
- Champions