History of the Club

The first recorded rugby match in Crickhowell took place on Boxing Day 1881. It was reported in the Abergavenny Chronicle and Monmouthshire Advertiser of 30th December 1881.

"In the afternoon a football match was played, in the Abergavenny road grounds,between Tredegar and Crickhowell, which, we regret to find, terminated in a serious dispute, and the home team left the field refusing to continue the game, or go to any return match at Tredegar."

Despite this inauspicious start, rugby football continued, with reports in the Chronicle becoming more frequent in the1883-84 season.

The earliest known fixture card and fixture list

The club grew and for some 23 years organised rugby football was played in Crickhowell. For reasons unknown, the club died out and no team was fielded from 1905 until 1912.

On Friday September 6th. 1912, The Abergavenny Chronicle and Monmouthshire Advertiser ran the following news article;

Rugby Football Club for Crickhowell

"A well-attended meeting called to consider the question of forming a Rugby football club in the Crickhowell district , was held in the Beaufort Arms Hotel, Crickhowell, on Saturday evening. Mr. Wm. Townsend presided and he was supported by Mr. Gordon Williams, Mr. S.C. Davies, Mr. David Morgan,, Mr. W Batty, Mr. J.E. Waters, Mr. J.H. Leonard, Mr. Charlie Leonard, Mr. Victor Evans, Mr. J.H. Edwards and others.
The chairman said there was a feeling that a Rugby football club should be organised in the town. Crickhowell, years ago, had a club which would hold its own with good class clubs, and there was no reason why the winter game should not be revived in the district. (Applause). There were one or two essential things to remember should they form a club. It must be run on business-like lines; the best traditions of sport must be observed; and the best feelings of fellowship should always exist among the players. Every player should conduct himself in a gentlemanly way on and off the field. (Applause). What was more, players must abide by the decisions of the committee and officials. (Hear, hear).
Mr. Wm. Lewis moved and Mr. Gordon Williams seconded, and it was carried unanimously, that a Rugby Football Club should be formed in the town, to be called “The Crickhowell Rugby Football Club.”
Mr. S.C. Davies, Tower Street, Crickhowell was appointed secretary and Mr. Joseph Meale treasurer. The Beaufort Arms Hotel was adopted as the headquarters of the club and it was resolved that the colours should be blue and black jerseys and navy knickers and stockings.
Mr. W. Batty was appointed captain, but the appointment of vice-captain was deferred for consideration until the next meeting, and also those of the offices of president, vice-presidents. &c. The question of renting a suitable ground and other matters were left to a committee comprising Messrs. D. Morgan, J.E. Waters, J.H.Leonard, Victor Evans, W. Batty, Wm. Townsend, Gordon Williams and the secretary, who will report to a general meeting of members to be called on Saturday next.
It was decided that a practice match should be played, if possible, on September 14th, and all who intend playing are cordially invited to send their names to the secretary, Mr.s.C.Davies, by Saturday next.
Twenty-six members were enrolled in the meeting. The Secretary will be glad to receive any assistance from intending players and supporters. He is to arrange fixtures with good clubs in the Brynmawr, Tredegar, Beaufort and Ebbw Vale districts.
Mr. S.C. Davies said he had spoken to Capt. Cole-Hamilton, The Plas, Llangattock, and he said he would support a Rugby football club in the district. (Loud applause) Capt. Cole-Hamilton is an old Oxford university player.
The prospects of a new club seem very promising. Batty, the captain, is a player with a great reputation, and needs no introduction. Several old Rugby players have also promised to assist, and it is believed that a prominent Breconshire gentleman, who plays for one of the crack London rugby football clubs, will help in most matches. Charlie Leonard, the ex Blaenavon rugby threequarter and a capital sportsman, will probably play. "

The team of 1912/13

The club continued happily until the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, when all the players were "serving with various branches of His Majesty's Forces"

A further attempt to revive the club was made some years after the war. On Friday 7th. November 1924, The Abergavenny Chronicle and Monmouthshire Advertiser again reported;

" A well-attended meeting in connection with the newly-formed Rugby Football Club was held at the Church Hall, Crickhowell, on Saturday, the Rector of Crickhowell, the Reverend George Roberts, presiding. It was resolved to call the club the Crickhowell and District Football Club, and Mr. W. Batty stated there was every prospect that, through the kindness of a local lady, they were likely to have an excellent field near the town. Mr. John Phillips, of Lloyds Bank, Crickhowell, was unanimously appointed treasurer and it was decided the colours of the club shall be blue and black. A practice match will be held on Saturday between teams selected by Mr. W. Batty and Mr. Alfred Meale and Mr. Charles Leonard. The meeting decided to defer the appointment of captain for the present. The secretary, Mr. Arthur Clements, stated that Major the Hon. W. Bailey had very kindly promised to give the club goal-posts, and the chairman said he would be pleased to present the club with a new ball. (Applause)."

The enthusiasm was short-lived, however, and the club did not appear after the 1926 season.

Now roll forward toThursday 5th. November 1981 when the Abergavenny Chronicle once again found itself reporting on the formation of a Crickhowell Rugby Football Club.


"For a town with a population of less than 2,000 Crickhowell can be proud of its facilities for sport. There is a flourishing cricket club, although we hear little of its activities nowadays, the tennis club is expanding, attracting some very promising players, there is soccer in which the youth play an active part and a flourishing bowls club. The latter tends to attract the older men. I gather the club would welcome some younger players. Badminton used to be available but whether it still is I do not know.
One sport has, until now, been missing and that is rugby football. I am told a club existed at some time before the war but was never revived. This season we have a Crickhowell RFC and to find out how it came to be formed I went to see Roy Williams at the headquarters of the club, the Britannia Inn. It was there that the “Britannians” as they are affectionately called, were born.
In the inn there are two bars. One is equipped with juke box, pool table and so on. Naturally it is to there that the younger people gravitate. Their elders, by only a year or two in some cases, congregate in the other bar, so much so that it came to be known as the geriatric ward. The scene was set for friendly rivalry.
Back in January of this year one of the “wards”, I am not sure which, challenged the other to a game of rugger, a challenge which was accepted, and the match took place.
One can imagine the scene. Some of the players had never kicked a rugby ball in their lives but everybody enjoyed themselves and it was from this that the idea of a permanent club was born.
With the help of a loan from Roy Williams the necessary equipment was purchased and insurance cover arranged through the Welsh Rugby Union. The problem of a ground was solved, and we have heard this so often in Crickhowell, with the help of the Crickhowell depot, Cwrt y gollen who made a pitch available at a very low charge to cover additional costs.
By the beginning of this season the club was ready for serious rugby. It involved a great deal of preliminary work but the people of Crickhowell have given wonderful assistance. Much of the credit for the club’s successful formation goes to Mr. A. McInnes who is now Hon. Secretary. So much work has been put in that the club has now repaid the loan and all is set for a bright future.
The treasurer, Mr. M. Powell, reports a healthy balance sheet but naturally any further help will be welcomed.
Fixture Secretary, Mr. H. Pinney, has arranged a full programme for the current season including, on 2nd. January, a match against a visiting team from the 3rd. Parachute Regiment.
In its first season one would not expect brilliant performances from a newly formed club, but Crickhowell have done quite well to date. They lost their first two games by 48-4 and 22-8 but drew the third. Then came a magnificent win by 21-6. Three more followed in the latest game at the time of writing Crickhowell had a resounding win over H.M.B.I. Usk by 28-4.
With some thirty playing members of the club it follows that they cannot all play each Saturday. To compensate for this and provide match practice for the others, scratch games among themselves are sometimes played on Sundays.
Besides friendly games Crickhowell RFC plays in Pontypool DRU League in which they have won half their matches. They have won one and lost one!
It is a success story and I am sure all our readers will join me in wishing Crickhowell RFC every success in the future.
I shall be pleased to hear of the exploits of other clubs and organisations in the town, their successes and failures. Remember that if you want the support of the public you must let the public know what you are doing.
The spirit of Crickhowell rugby was admirably expressed by Chairman, Roy Williams when he told me, “It is how you play the game that counts, not whether you win or lose”. We wish that there was more of that spirit in the modern sporting scene."

Roy Williams 1921 - 1999
founding father of modern-day Crickhowell RFC

In 1986 with grant aid and help from local businesses, the club managed to purchase its own ground near Crickhowell. Two pitches were set up and changing facilities built. In 2003 the ground was named "Parc Broyd" to honour the 80th birthday of Life President and long-time supporter, Bob Broyd.

Bob's Stone

Bob Broyd 1923 - 2008

Our current president, Colin James.

Some trivia bits.

Crickhowell has produced two British Lions!

Though it is not known if he ever played for the club, Crickhowell-born Reginald Truscott Skrimshire of Newport RFC was the star of the 1903 British Lions Tour to South Africa.

Reginald T. Skrimshire

Read about Reg in Wikipedia by clicking the link below

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reg_Skrimshire

Dewi Morris is probably the British Lion most in Crickhowell recognise. In his younger days, Dewi played at scrum - half for Crickhowell on several occasions.

Crickhowell RFC are sponsored by

http://www.webbscrickhowell.com/