Rhymney RFC
Encyclopedia
Rhymney Rugby Football Club is a Welsh
rugby union
club based in Rhymney
in Wales
. The Senior team presently play in the Welsh Rugby Union
Division Three East league. Rhymney is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union
and is a feeder club for the Newport Gwent Dragons
.
Rugby union was first played in Rhymney in the late 19th century, though the exact date is unverified. Their earliest international player from the town was Bill Evans, who played for Wales against Ireland in 1882 and Scotland in 1883. The earliest known photograph of a Rhymney team, is dated circa 1887. In 1910 Rhymney RFC applied for and were granted membership of the Welsh Rugby Union
, and were allowed to play in competitive matches with other teams in the area, primarily in the Monmouthshire League.
Like many Welsh clubs in the depression hit 1920s, Rhymney RFC disbanded in 1924 and lost their WRU membership. In 1933 Rhymney RFC reformed and in 1945 regained their WRU status. During the 1945 season, Rhymney lost probably their greatest player, Bob Evans
, to top tier team Newport. Club captain Evans would go on to represent Wales
on ten occasions and in 1950 would play for the British Lions
.
A period of growth during the 1950s saw the acquirement of a new playing field, viewing stand and the club's first official clubhouse.
(2 caps) Bob Evans
(10 caps) Tom James
(9 caps)
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 Rhymney
Rhymney
Rhymney is a town and a community located in the county borough of Caerphilly in south-east Wales, within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire. Along with the villages of Pontlottyn, Fochriw, Abertysswg, Deri and New Tredegar, Rhymney is designated as the 'Upper Rhymney Valley' by the local...
in Wales
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...
. The Senior team presently play in 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...
Division Three East league. Rhymney 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...
.
Rugby union was first played in Rhymney in the late 19th century, though the exact date is unverified. Their earliest international player from the town was Bill Evans, who played for Wales against Ireland in 1882 and Scotland in 1883. The earliest known photograph of a Rhymney team, is dated circa 1887. In 1910 Rhymney RFC applied for and were granted membership 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 were allowed to play in competitive matches with other teams in the area, primarily in the Monmouthshire League.
Like many Welsh clubs in the depression hit 1920s, Rhymney RFC disbanded in 1924 and lost their WRU membership. In 1933 Rhymney RFC reformed and in 1945 regained their WRU status. During the 1945 season, Rhymney lost probably their greatest player, Bob Evans
Bob Evans (rugby player)
Bob Evans was a Welsh rugby union flanker who played club rugby for Newport and county rugby for Monmouthshire...
, to top tier team Newport. Club captain Evans would go on to represent 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...
on ten occasions and in 1950 would play for the 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...
.
A period of growth during the 1950s saw the acquirement of a new playing field, viewing stand and the club's first official clubhouse.
Notable players
Bill EvansBill Evans (rugby player)
William Frederick Evans was a Welsh international rugby union player, who won two caps for Wales in 1882 and 1883.-Rugby career:Evans was born in Rhymney, Monmouthshire...
(2 caps) Bob Evans
Bob Evans (rugby player)
Bob Evans was a Welsh rugby union flanker who played club rugby for Newport and county rugby for Monmouthshire...
(10 caps) Tom James
Tom James (rugby player)
Tom James is a Welsh rugby union footballer.He was a former Welsh athlete before turning to rugby. His older brother, Robbie, is a professional welterweight boxer and former Welsh ABA Champion....
(9 caps)