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Pontypridd RFC
Club HistoryPontypridd 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 19th 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. 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 ne 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 (unsuprising 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. 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 Sardi 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 Tommy David . 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. 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 and an achievement they matched again in 2002. The following season 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. From then until 2003 finishes around 5th place were common place as Pontypridd struggled to cope with the added pressures of the nbewly 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 . After much negotiotion and rumour of a merger with Cardiff RFC that would have seen an end to top-flight rugby in the area, Pontypridd finally found themselves in a more agreeable partnership with Bridgend RFC , forming the Celtic Warriors region that would represent the whole of the South Wales Valleys region. However financial diffiulties at Pontypridd lead the tam to sell its stake in the Warriors to Bridgend RFC benifactor Leighton Samuel and all games were moved away from Sardis Road before the region was finally dissolved by the WRU in the summer of 2004. This leaves Pontypridd in a problem situation of being the top team in the Valleys again but without the means to hold onto any of their top players. The future is very uncertain for Pontypridd RFC and indeed for rugby in the area as a whole. Home GroundPontypridd RFC play Their home games at Sardis Road, Pontyprodd , South Wales. Directionsby RoadFrom 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 TrainFrom Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil or Treherbert: The Cardiff trains will take you directly to Pontypridd. 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 DetailsPonty Rugby Ltd The Clubhouse Sardis Road Pontypridd Rhondda Cynon Taf CF37 1HA Tel: +44 (0) 1443 405 006 Fax: +44 (0) 1443 407 087 StatisticsMajor HonoursWestern Mail Welsh Championship Winners - 1962/1963, 1975/1976, 1977/1978, 1978/1979 WRU Merit Table Winners - 1975/1976
Welsh League Winners - 1996/1997
Welsh Cup Winners - 1995/1996 , 2001/2002
Champions Challenge Cup Winners - 1997 European Rugby Shield Runners Up - 2001/2002 Welsh Leagues
Notable Former Players
See alsoExternal links
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