Croeso cynnes iawn i bawb o Glwb Rygbi Abertawe yn ôl i Fanc Yr Eglwys heddiw! A warm welcome to our friends from Swansea RFC for our first home Super Rugby Cymru League fixture of the 25/26 season.
I make no apology for opening my programme notes and our 25/26 season with a tribute to a former Drover and first XV captain that we sadly lost so very suddenly during the off season. Wyn (Waggotts/Waggs) Williams epitomised the strength and character of the players that represented the Drovers as we progressed from West Wales rugby into the National League structures in the late 80s and early 90s and having played at least 112 times for the club he deservedly earned himself a place in what is shown in the Club archives as the “Team of the 80s. The characteristics that Wyn showed on the pitch were also reflected in his work and family life. He was a hard worker in a tough industry but he loved every minute of it and took much pride in the many large ground work projects he had been involved in both locally and much further afield. Wyn will be sadly missed and has been taken from us far too soon and far too quickly. Gorffwyswch mewn heddwch Wyn a’n cydymdeimlad diffuant i Sarah, Hazel, Mr a Mrs Williams (John a Vera) a’r teulu cyfan.
The opening games of the season are always particularly interesting as whatever the preseason training and matches have shown it is only when the competitive games start do we really get a true feel for how teams are likely to perform. Whilst the first round games last weekend perhaps reflected the form over recent seasons there were some interesting signals that 25/26 could be a closer affair. In terms of today’s teams The Drovers will naturally have been delighted with an away bonus point win over the last year’s league champions, Newport and whilst Swansea failed to take the game at Pontypool Park they certainly put up quite a challenge and Pooler had to work hard to retain their run of home wins. With a new coach and some good signings Swansea could well be one of the teams that will move up the table this season. Following a disappointing showing at St Helens last season the Drovers will certainly not be complacent and will have to continue with last week’s form to be certain of a win today. Some things never change and once again we seem to be entering a turbulent time in Welsh Rugby. What is certain is that something needs to change not only to address the terrible results at International level but to address the declining popularity of our national game at all levels which is now affecting participation levels as well as the touchline supporters. From an SRC viewpoint there seems to be, at last, a recognition that we are an important component of the game but at the regional level the potential changes are potentially seismic. Whatever your views of the WRU’s preferred option are you have to have sympathy for those professional players whose livelihoods could be at risk after all they have families and mortgages just like the rest of us. The consultation process continues for a few weeks more and there is an opportunity for everyone to put in their penny’s worth but whilst not wishing to influence anyone I simply hope that rugby continues to be played at Parc Y Scarlets not least because I am a rate payer but also because tradition is important!
Over the last 6 months or so we have been updating our ever popular play area alongside the clubhouse. This would not have been possible without the generous support of our Junior Drovers who have funded the entire refurb. Today we are delighted to recognise this support with the presentation of a plaque that will be placed on permanent display at the play area for all to see.
Our match sponsors today are Ad Clad who not only support the club so much but they have also been instrumental in the success of the Junior Drovers. Diolch yn fawr Eirian a Laura!
Er Gwaethaf Pawb a Phopeth Ni Yma o Hyd! Ymlaen Y Porthmyn!
Peter Rees Cadeirydd/Chairman