In 1965, a deadly explosion at Cambrian Colliery in the Rhondda valley claimed 31 lives. Two years later the colliery closed down, ripping the heart out of the local community. The legacy of the miners lives on through the local rugby ground, as Cambrian Welfare chairman Jonathan Davies explains.
“The ground is at the top of a mountain,” says Davies, who explains that a century ago, miners took their pickaxes to a patch of land and levelled it. “There wasn’t really a team or a league to play in, but it was something for the miners to do at weekends and the pitch has been there ever since.”
The team that now calls the Tump (a term for a hillock, likely related to the Welsh word twmp) home was only formed in 1982, by Davies’ dad and his mates. “Much the same as the miners. It started off as something to do at the weekend, but then it got serious,” Davies says. The club, which has gone on to win a string of trophies, are named after the ground, known locally as Welfare Park.
“We’re in a socially deprived area,” says Davies. “There isn’t much for kids to do here. But they get to play rugby for free, and we recently set up a boot bank. A lot of parents can’t afford to give their kids a good pair of boots, so when an older lad grows out of a pair, we put them in the boot bank, ready for another kid to use.”
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Rugbynomics Hits New Zealand
In signs that the lads from Mordor are worried that they could finally give back the Bled this year the Nearlies are looking at overseas talent to fill the void. Stuff is reporting that Richie (not that one) and Shannon Frizell are potentially returning to the fold. Although Robertson clearly wants his first-five back in New Zealand, he declined to talk in depth about the likelihood of him getting out of his contract.
“My job is to get the best players for the All Blacks,” Robertson said. “I am not going to talk on individual players but my role is to get the best All Blacks that are available out on the field for our country. What goes on behind the scenes, obviously we have to be really professional, especially around employment stuff. That’s all I can say, really, to that.”
Wallaroos v USA Melbourne 4:30pm in Melbourne
After a tough hit out against the Canucks the Wallaroos take on the USA this weekend. Best of luck ladies. It is nice to see some of the cap numbers starting to get up there.
WALLAROOS TEAM
- Brianna Hoy (NSW Waratahs) – 4 caps
- Tania Naden (ACT Brumbies) – 11 caps
- Eva Karpani (NSW Waratahs) – 22 caps
- Kaitlan Leaney (NSW Waratahs) – 16 caps
- Michaela Leonard (c) (Western Force) – 23 caps
- Siokapesi Palu (ACT Brumbies) – 7 caps
- Ashley Marsters (Melbourne Rebels) – 27 caps
- Piper Duck (NSW Waratahs) – 11 caps
- Samantha Wood (Western Force) – 1 cap
- Arabella McKenzie (NSW Waratahs) – 22 caps
- Desiree Miller (NSW Waratahs) – 3 caps
- Trilleen Pomare (Western Force) – 25 caps
- Georgina Friedrichs (NSW Waratahs) – 20 caps
- Maya Stewart (NSW Waratahs) – 9 caps
- Caitlyn Halse* (NSW Waratahs) – debut
Reserves
- Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke (Western Force) – 1 cap
- Sally Fuesaina (ACT Brumbies) – 1 cap
- Bridie O’Gorman (NSW Waratahs) – 18 caps
- Atasi Lafai (NSW Waratahs) – 10 caps
- Leilani Nathan (NSW Waratahs) – 3 caps
- Layne Morgan (NSW Waratahs) – 20 caps
- Faitala Moleka (ACT Brumbies) – 7 caps
- Lori Cramer (Queensland Reds) – 20 caps
Super Rugby Pacific Round 13
Friday 5:05 PM AEST – Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika at SKY Stadium, Wellington,
HURRICANES (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, Raymond Tuputupu, Siale Lauaki, Justin Sangster, Ben Grant, Brad Shields (c), Du’Plessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, Richard Judd, Aidan Morgan, Kini Naholo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Daniel Sinkinson, Harry Godfrey
RESERVES: James O’Reilly, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Peter Lakai, Jordi Viljoen, Riley Higgins, Salesi Rayasi
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Lotu Inisi, Jonathan Taumateine, William Havili, Neria Fomai, Julian Savea, Henry Taefu. Fine Inisi, Danny Toala
RESERVES: Sama Malolo, Tevita Langi, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Alamanda Motuga, Aisea Halo, Christian Lealiifano, Anzelo Tuitavuki
Referee: James Doleman Assistant Referees: Jono Bredin, Fraser Hannon
Friday 7:35 PM AEST – Melbourne Rebels v Chiefs at AAMI Park,
REBELS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai (c), Tuaina Taii Tualima, Josh Canham, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Darby Lancaster, Nick Jooste, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Jake Strachan
RESERVES: Ethan Dobbins, Matt Gibbon, Pone Fa’amausili, Angelo Smith, Maciu Nabolakasi, Rob Leota, Jack Maunder, Glen Vaihu
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Tupou Vaa’i, Simon Parker, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert Brown, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
RESERVES: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi
Referee: Nic Berry Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, George Myers
Saturday 12:05 PM AEST – Fijian Drua v Queensland Reds at HFC Bank Stadium, Suva,
DRUA (1-15): Jone Koroiduadua, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Epeli Momo, Waqa Nalaga, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
RESERVES: Mesulame Dolokoto, Emosi Tuqiri, Samu Tawake, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Vilive Miramira, Peni Matawalu, Kemu Valetini, Taniela Rakuro
REDS (1-15): Peni Ravai, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Cormac Daly, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, John Bryant, Tate McDermott (co-c), Lawson Creighton, Floyd Aubrey, Hunter Paisami, Taj Annan, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
RESERVES: George Blake, Sef Fa’agase, Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, James O’Connor, Tim Ryan
Referee: Angus Gardner Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Jeremy Markey
Saturday 2:35 PM AEST – ACT Brumbies v Crusaders at GIO Stadium, Canberra,
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Connal McInerney, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Nick Frost, Jahrome Brown, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Ollie Sapsford, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Liam Bowron, Rhys van Nek, Sosefo Kautai, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Ben O’Donnell
CRUSADERS (1-15): Joe Moody, Codie Taylor (c), Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Quinten Strange, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Fergus Burke, Sevu Reece, David Havili, Jone Rova, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl
RESERVES: George Bell, George Bower, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
Saturday 5:05 PM AEST – Blues v Highlanders at Eden Park, Auckland,
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Sam Darry, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali’i (c), Akira Ioane, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, Corey Evans, Bryce Heem, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes
RESERVES: Soane Vikena, Mason Tupaea, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Cameron Suafoa, Taufa Funaki, Stephen Perofeta, Kade Banks
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (c), Henry Bell, Jermaine Ainsley, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Nikora Broughton, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Martin Bogodo, Jake Te Hiwi, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES: Jack Taylor, Ayden Johnstone, Saula Ma’u, Will Tucker, Will Stodart, James Arscott, Sam Gilbert, Finn Hurley
Referee: Paul Williams Assistant Referees: Dan Waegna, Mike Winter
Saturday 7:35 PM AEST – Western Force v NSW Waratahs at HBF Park, Perth,
FORCE (1-15): Harry Hoopert, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams (c), Izack Rodda, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, George Poolman, Kurtley Beale
RESERVES: Feleti Kaitu’u, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Michael Wells, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Sam Spink, Henry O’Donnell
WARATAHS (1-15): Lewis Ponini, Jay Fonokalafi, Enrique Peiretto, Fergus Lee-Warner, Miles Amatosero, Lachlan Swinton, Charlie Gamble, Jed Holloway, Jake Gordon (c), Will Harrison, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Triston Reilly, Mark Nawaqanitawase
RESERVES: Ben Sugars, George Thorton, Brad Amituanai, Hugh Sinclair, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Izaia Perese
Referee: Jordan Way Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, Jordan Kaminski
Happy’s Fearless Predictions
Canes by 20
Rebels to stun the Chiefs by 7
Reds by 7 the Drua are not at their spiritual home and have the trip back from Perth
Brumbies by 10 at home to finally put the stake in the heart of the Saders
Blues by 20 to kill off the Highlanders season
Force to beat the Tahs M*A*S*H ward.
Hoss back tomorrow peace out.
