Paul Williams (Ebbw Vale Programme Notes)

“It’s just like Baywatch”

I feel that S4C commentator Dave Rogers deserves a mention here for that wonderfully hyperbolic statement he uttered as the camera lingered on a view of the sun setting over last week’s match here against Pontypool. Now I’m often credited with having a vivid imagination, but I have to admit that in a lifetime of regular visits to the Talbot Athletic Ground I have never looked across at the rooftops of Evelyn Terrace and spotted even the slightest resemblance to a beach in California. I will, however, concede that Mr Rogers’ running commentary throughout the game was first class, and I say that as one who’s generally quite critical of today’s TV sports commentators generally (just ask my wife)!

So, we find ourselves at the business end of the season, facing opponents whose mission during 2024-25 has been somewhat different to that of the Wizards. Ebbw Vale, notwithstanding a disappointing SRC Cup Final at Llandovery (what kind of knockout tournament has it’s showpiece final at the home ground of one of the teams involved?) are up there challenging for the title, while here at the Talbot Athletic Ground it’s been a formative season with a largely new and young squad that we’ve watched develop and gel together as the weeks and months have passed. We’ve cheered them on and agonised with them as a disproportionate number of results have gone against them by the odd few points time and time again, but there can be no denying that the season has provided us with a great many enduring memories, not least being our opening day visit to Ebbw Vale and our first sight of the new Wizards as they put up a decent show even in defeat. Thanks to the intervention of the good old Welsh weather almost an entire season has passed before we can offer the Steelmen and their loyal followers a warm welcome to the Talbot Athletic Ground as they travel here midway through a demanding seven days containing three fixtures, only one of which is at home.

Meanwhile, back here at the Talbot Athletic Ground, we wrap up our SRC league participation with the trip up to North Wales this coming weekend and then await news of where and against whom we will be playing in the play-offs. Today, therefore, may be the last chance for Aberavon supporters to cast their votes for the season’s awards – the ballot box is on the clubhouse bar, and voting papers are available from Dennis Morgan or Jeff Preece who’ll doubtless be in their usual corner near the stage after the match. To assist in your deliberations, you may like to note that our top scorers going into tonight’s match are:

However, while “points make prizes”, there is so much more to the game than who kicks the goals or touches down, and there are those who work hard to provide the opportunities for those who claim the points – the “unsung heroes”, the longstanding, hard-working “quiet” ones, the pillars of defensive strength and so on, whose best moments are often overlooked. Think hard and long before casting your votes! The categories are ‘Player of the Year’, Clubman of the Year, Most Promising Player and Young Player of the Year.

Enjoy the game.

End of an Era

As the end of the season looms large, we also face a more emotional end with the retirement from playing of one of Aberavon’s most popular players. Following his arrival at the Talbot Athletic Ground during the 2010 close season, Rowan Jenkins quickly settled in as a worthy successor to so many fine gentlemen of the front row, sharing the loose-head berth with Neil White and following in the footsteps of the likes of Mike Harris and Lloyd Howell. Far from the biggest exponent of his chosen rugby trade, he nevertheless embodied the old adage, “if you’re good enough, you’re big enough”, and his reputation swiftly spread throughout the clubs as a scrummaging technician with whom to be reckoned, with the added bonus of having a surprising turn of speed.

Sadly Rowan’s playing career was brought to a premature end by a serious knee injury at the Brewery Field back in January, and although he has now recovered, he has decided to call time on a career that saw him make 342 appearances in an Aberavon jersey, a couple of ‘guest’ appearances for Cardiff in European competition in tandem with a stint as groundsman here at the Talbot Athletic Ground, and above all widespread recognition as one of the best in his position in Welsh Club Rugby.

Diolch yn fawr, Rowan, from us all here at Aberavon RFC. Your contribution will long be remembered by us all.