Pontypridd Rugby Football Club are a rugby union team from Wales, playing in the Welsh Premier Division. A rugby union scrum. ... Welsh Premier Division Logo The Welsh Premier Division (also called the Principality Premiership for sponsorship reasons) is a rugby union league in Wales. ...

Club history

Pontypridd RFC are generally accepted to have been formed in 1876 by a number of young local men who had moved into the area during the Industrial Revolution of the late 19^th Century. They were represented at the formation meeting of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1880 and had a player (Edward Treharne) named in the very first Welsh International side in 1881. A Watt steam engine. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) (Welsh: Undeb Rygbi Cymru) is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board. ...

In their early days, Pontypridd RFC played their home games at Taff Vale Park in Treforest before moving to the People's Park alongside the Rhondda River. However in 1908 they moved once more to a new home in Ynysyngharad Park in Pontypridd itself, where they would stay for 65 years.

Often regarded as one of the more unfashionable Welsh clubs even then (unsurprising considering the stature of Llanelli, Swansea, Neath, Cardiff and Newport as the Big Five at the time), players often found it hard to break into the international team while at Pontypridd, meaning a number would leave for greener pastures each season. Despite this the club were consistently successful, pulling out a string of top-ten performances in the unofficial Welsh league, a competition they won for the first time in the 1962/1963 season. Official website www. ... Swansea Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby team which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. ... // Neath Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. ... Cardiff Rugby Football Club was founded 1876. ... Based on the east bank of the River Usk, at Rodney Parade, the rugby section of Newport Athletic Club gained itself a world wide reputation in the twentieth century. ...

However the 1970s would bring Pontypridd its first period of real success. Following the redeveloment of the A470 trunk road near their home ground, the team moved to its current home of Sardis Road in Pontypridd in 1974. This move was immediately followed by success in the unofficial league championship, winning it in 1975/76, 1977/78 and 1978/79 whilst never falling from the top four for seven years under the captaincy of two of Pontypridd's greatest ever players - Bob Penberthy and Tom David. Bob Penberthy is a former rugby football player who set the record for appearances (with 877) for Pontypridd RFC between 1961 and 1985. ... Tom Tommy David is a former Welsh international rugby union player. ...

The 1990s saw a huge change in Welsh rugby, especially with the inauguration of the first official Welsh leagues in 1990. Pontypridd were placed in the top (first) division for that season and have never yet been out of the top-level in the Welsh game. They consistently finished in the top five, quite an achievement considering some of the clubs around them were considered much bigger names. Third places in 1991/92, 1993/94 and 1995/96 plus a runner up finish to Cardiff RFC in 1994/95 was a good a promising return for the club. Cardiff Rugby Football Club was founded 1876. ...

However it was in 1996 that the team would win its first official major honour, beating Neath RFC in the final of the Welsh Cup, a match still considered one of the best ever. They repeated this achievement again in 2002 and 2006. The following season (1997) saw them win the Welsh League, narrowly over the same opponents. Both of these successes were obtained by what many consider Pontypridd's best ever team, lead by Nigel Bezani and including players such as Ritchie Collins, Neil Jenkins and Dale McIntosh. // Neath Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. ... Ritchie Collins is a former international Wales rugby union player. ... Neil Jenkins (born 8 July 1971) is a former rugby union footballer who played fly-half, centre, or full back for Pontypridd and Cardiff, Wales and the British Lions. ... The Chief Dale McIntosh - Pontypridd hero. ...

From then until 2003 Pontypridd consistently finished in the top five of the league but failed to challenge for top spot (and to qualify for the Heineken Cup - Europe's top tournament) as they struggled to cope with the added financial pressures of the newly professional game, losing a number of players to larger clubs and relying heavily upon its much admired youth academy system. However in 2003 the WRU would change the game in Wales forever with the advent of Welsh Regional Rugby. The Heineken Cup sponsored by Heineken (known as the H Cup in France due to alcohol advertising laws) is an annual rugby union competition involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the Six Nations: England, France, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Italy. ... The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) (Welsh: Undeb Rygbi Cymru) is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board. ...

After much negotiotion and rumour of a merger with local rivals Cardiff RFC, Pontypridd finally found themselves in a partnership with Bridgend RFC, forming the Celtic Warriors that would represent the whole of the South Wales Valleys region. Cardiff Rugby Football Club was founded 1876. ... Bridgend RFC or the Bridgend Ravens are a Welsh rugby union club based in Bridgend in south Wales. ... The Celtic Warriors were a regional Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ...

However financial difficulties at Pontypridd lead the team to sell its stake in the Warriors to Bridgend RFC benefactor Leighton Samuel and all games were moved away from Sardis Road before the club was controversially dissolved by the WRU in the summer of 2004. Bridgend RFC or the Bridgend Ravens are a Welsh rugby union club based in Bridgend in south Wales. ... The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) (Welsh: Undeb Rygbi Cymru) is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board. ...

They were then as a semi pro side placed under the umbrella of Cardiff Blues by the WRU, Pontypridd continue to be the top team in the Glamorganshire South Wales valleys and are considered by many of their fans to be the valleys' representative side.

In 2005 Pontypridd were beaten finalists in the Welsh Challenge Cup, narrowly losing to Llanelli 24-25, having been leading 24-8 with only 10 minutes remaining until a former Pontypridd player Neil Boobyer entered the fray and stole the cup from under their noses.

The following year they would go one better and on Saturday May 6th 2006 Pontypridd beat Neath 26-25 to win the Welsh Challenge Cup (currently called the Konica-Minolta Cup after the sponsors of the tournament) in a well fought final at the Millennium Stadium. Neath were pre-match favourites having recently secured the Welsh Premier league by a large points margin, and going into the game chasing a league and cup 'double'. This was a replay of the classic 1996 final, when Pontypridd had also stopped Neath 'doing the double'.

Home Ground

Pontypridd RFC play their home games at Sardis Road, Pontypridd, South Wales, with their junior section playing at Taff Vale Park and Coedylan School Fields, Cilfynydd. Pontypridd is a town in Glamorgan, Wales, in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taff. ... This article is about the country. ...

Directions

by Road

From the M4: Take Junction 32 onto the A470 following the signs for Merthyr Tydfil. Take the exit signposted Pontypridd and Ynysybwl and follow the road around to the left. At the traffic lights, head right towards the Rhondda Valleys. After passing Pontypridd Train Station on your left, the road veers around to the left under a bridge, take the first left at the traffic lights, and Pontypridd Rugby Football Club is on your right.

From North Wales: Follow the A470 for Cardiff, and take the exit signposted Pontypridd and Ynysybwl. At the roundabout take the third exit heading back towards the A470, at the next roundabout, take the second exit for Pontypridd and the Rhondda Valleys. At the traffic lights, head right towards the Rhondda Valleys. After passing Pontypridd Train Station on your left, the road veers around to the left under a bridge, take the first left at the traffic lights, and Pontypridd Rugby Football Club is on your right

by Train

From Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil or Treherbert: The Cardiff trains will take you directly to Pontypridd.m

From all other locations: Change at Cardiff Central or Cardiff Queen Street for trains to Pontypridd.

At Pontypridd station, leave through the main exit and head left past Capel Sardis (Sardis Chapel). The road veers around to the left under a bridge, take the first left at the traffic lights, and Pontypridd Rugby Football Club is on your right.

Contact Details

Ponty Rugby Ltd The Clubhouse Sardis Road Pontypridd Rhondda Cynon Taf CF37 1HA Tel: +44 (0) 1443 405 006 Fax: +44 (0) 1443 407 087

Mini & Junior Rugby

Chairman: Mark Newbery

Secretary: Martyn Lewis

Treasurer: John Blewitt

Executive Treasurer: Mark Langford

Mini & Junior Rugby Section Contact: Neil Hughes pontykids@btinternet.com

Youth: Sean Oliver 07789 065159

Statistics

Major Honours

Western Mail Welsh Championship Winners - 1962/1963, 1975/1976, 1977/1978, 1978/1979

WRU Merit Table Winners - 1975/1976
WRU Merit Table Runner up - 1977/1978, 1978/1979

Welsh Premier Division - 1996/1997
Welsh League Runners Up - 1994/1995 Welsh Premier Division Logo The Welsh Premier Division (also called the Principality Premiership for sponsorship reasons) is a rugby union league in Wales. ...

Welsh Cup Winners - 1995/1996, 2001/2002, 2005/2006
Welsh Cup Runners up - 1978/1979,1994/1995, 1996/1997, 2004/2005 The WRU Challenge Cup (currently known as the Minolta Cup due to sponsorship) is Wales premier knockout rugby union competition. ...

Champions Challenge Cup Winners - 1997

European Rugby Shield Runners Up - 2001/2002

Welsh Leagues

Notable Former Players

• Brent Cockbain (Lock) - Wales International
• Tom David - Wales/British Lions International
• Mefin Davies (Hooker) - Wales International
• Graham Gittins
• Dafydd James (Wing/Centre) - Wales International
• Gethin Jenkins (Prop) - Wales International
• Neil Jenkins (Outside-Half) - Wales/British Lions International, World Record Points Scorer
• Phil John (Hooker) - Wales International
• Paul John (Scrum Half) - Wales International
• Geraint Lewis (Back-Row) - Wales International
• Kevin Morgan (Full-back) - Wales International
• Michael Owen - Wales/British Lions International, Back row
• Sonny Parker (Centre) - Wales International
• Richard Parkes (Flanker) - Wales International
• Bob Penberthy - Record Appearances
• Robert Sidoli (Lock) - Wales International
• Karl Swain - Record Try Scorer
• Ceri Sweeney (Outside-Half) - Wales International
• Lee Thomas (Centre/Outside-Half) - Wales Youth International
• Edward Treharne - Played in first Welsh International game 1981
• Jock Watkins
• Gareth Wyatt (Wing) - Wales International
• Rhys Shellard (Openside Flanker)

Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Brent Cockbain (born 15 November 1974 in New South Wales) is a Welsh rugby union player who has won 20 caps for Wales as a lock. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Tom Tommy David is a former Welsh international rugby union player. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... David Mefin Davies (born 2 September 1972 in Nantcaredig) is a Welsh rugby union footballer who plays as a hooker in the Wales national rugby union team. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Dafydd Rhys James (born 24 July 1975 in Mufulira) is a rugby union footballer who plays at centre for Llanelli Scarlets and Wales. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Gethin Jenkins is a Welsh rugby player. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Neil Jenkins (born 8 July 1971) is a former rugby union footballer who played fly-half, centre, or full back for Pontypridd and Cardiff, Wales and the British Lions. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Phil John is a former Wales international rugby union player. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Paul John is a former Wales international rugby union player. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Geraint Lewis is a former Wales international rugby union player. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Kevin Andrew Morgan (born 23 February 1977 in Pontypridd) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays for Newport Gwent Dragons and has won 34 caps for Wales, mainly at full back but also as a winger. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Michael Owen (born 7 January 1980) is a Welsh rugby player. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Sonny Toi Parker (born 27 August 1977 in Thames, New Zealand) is a welsh rugby union footballer who plays for the Wales national rugby union team. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Richard Parkes is a former Wales international rugby union player. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Bob Penberthy is a former rugby football player who set the record for appearances (with 877) for Pontypridd RFC between 1961 and 1985. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Robert Sidoli (born 21 June 1979) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays for Cardiff Blues and has won 25 caps for Wales as a lock. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Ceri Sweeney (born 21 January 1980 in Glyncoch) is a rugby union footballer who plays at fly-half for Newport Gwent Dragons and Wales. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Edward Treharne is a former Wales international rugby union player and played in the first Wales international in 1881. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ... Gareth Wyatt (born 4 March 1977), is a Welsh rugby union player. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_(bordered). ...

See also

• Celtic Warriors
• Celtic League
• Heineken Cup

The Celtic Warriors were a regional Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ... The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving regional sides from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, seen by many as the third major league in Europe, after the English Guinness Premiership and the French TOP 14. ... The Heineken Cup sponsored by Heineken (known as the H Cup in France due to alcohol advertising laws) is an annual rugby union competition involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the Six Nations: England, France, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Italy. ...

External links

• Bridgend RFC official site
• Pontypridd RFC official site
• Ponty Rugby unofficial site
• Teamponty Pontypridd Rugby Supporters Resource Website
• Terrace talk Pontypridd rugby forum
• Pontykids Pontypridd Mini and Junior Rugby
• Rugby Development Pontypridd Academy and development rugby
• Pontypridd Disrict Schools Rugby