The history of Llanelli Cricket Club

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The first match versus A.S. Poissy, resulted in a fine 21 pts. - 9 victory for the Wanderers with 17 pts. coming from the boot of outside half Geraint Llewellyn. The other match was played against St. Germain en Laye, and the Wanderers must have been feeling the effects of French hospitality as they were trailing by 24 pts. to 3 at half time! Quite what refreshed the team at the interval is not known, but it was sufficient for the Wanderers to achieve a drawn result at 27 points each to maintain the Wanderer's record of being unbeaten on the Continent. Following Handel Greville's recall to the Scarlets side, the Club captaincy was bestowed on Huw C. Williams, and the Club's playing record at the end of its first season was certainly something to be proud of: A similar situation soon followed when the Wanderers 'A' XV entered the Llanelli and District Junior Union competitions also in season 1978/79. The Club continued to attract notable personalities of the rugby world to guest at "Smokers" when in February 1966, the Club was delighted to play host to Norman Mair.

Terry Davies; leuan Jones; G. Morris; A1un Thomas; ]. Howells; Eifion Thomas; Frank Davies; G. Lee; B. Lloyd; Keri J ones; R. H. Williams; Keith Row1ands; John Leleu; Harry Thomas and P. Williams, The year before Glamorgan had played for the first time at their new ground in Cardiff following the redevelopment of the Arms Park and the creation of the National Stadium. The final county match took place at the Arms Park in August 1966 before Glamorgan moved a mile or so to the north-west to Sophia Gardens where they met the 1967 Indians in the opening match at their new ground. Llanelly Wanderers Ieuan Jones (Capt.), Wynne Davies, Gareth Morris, Neville Holmes, Clive Aitken ,Eifion Thomas, Peter H. Williams, Hywel Griffiths, Colwyn Owens, Godfrey Rees, Peter Williams, Rheinallt Jenkins, Dennis Shanahan, Peter Davies, Harry Thomas.

Llanelli Cricket Club

The 1964/65 season saw the 'A' XV achieve a success rate of over 50% for the first time in their comparatively short existence. The skipper of the first XV, in this season, Gareth Morris, played a true captains role in playing in all 45 first team matches. November 1965 saw the Club's fourth Triennial Dinner with chief guests being W. H. Clement, D. O. Brace, Rocyn Jones and Ken Harries.

The 6th July, 1956 was certainly a red letter day in the life of the Wanderers Club for it was at the Club's Annual General Meeting on that date that F. G. Phillips, the then Vice President of the Welsh Rugby Union, announced that the Wanderers had been admitted as probationary members of the Welsh Rugby Union. For the record, the Club's application was seconded by Mumbles and Skewen N.O.R. This was a unique achievement for a Club of only five years standing. Wanderers themselves believe that this was achieved not merely by the playing strength of the Club but also by the tremendous fillip given by its record as a Club whose hospitality was generally recognised as second to none. Amongst those whose diligence up to this point had been of un measured value to the Club, were Hector Griffiths, Chairman; Graham Pugh, Secretary; John Evans, Treasurer; and last but not least, Cliff Jones, whose "magic" baton did much to earn the Club its' reputation on the social side. The Wanderers were accepted into full membership of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1959 after serving the norma13 year probationary period. The Club's entry into the Union was celebrated in typical Wanderers style by a dinner at the Stepney Hotel in November, 1956. The Club again extended its sporting activities, this time in darts matches against Mumbles and Carmarthen Athletic. 1962 was also the year of the Club's third Triennial Dinner. Little is recorded of the first two. The Triennial Dinner is a phenomenon which, as its title suggests, occurs every three years. The night of the Triennial Dinner is a very special one in the Wanderers social calendar. It never fails in attracting notable guests and civic dignitaries, in 1962 these being John Faull, Ken Harries and J. B. G. Thomas. The efforts of the ladies of the Club also need special mention. They have organised numerous social functions which have greatly enhanced the range of activities available to the membership. They have over the years "slaved over hot ovens" to provide greatly appreciated nourishment after a hard game. Their efforts, whilst perhaps not receiving the plaudits they regularly deserve, have in no small way contributed to the successful social side of the Wanderers. September 1965 saw the Wanderers embark on their first continental tour. Under the tour managership of trusty Harry D. Evans, a party of 30 left Llanelli bound for Brussels. This tour had been long awaited by the Wanderers and the hospitality of the Belgians was well worth the wait. The touring party was entertained to a reception at the world famous Martini Bar and hosted by the Mayor of Brussels at the Brussels Town Hall. On the field the Club was to meet a Belgian XV and a Brussels XV. Incidentally, no "caps" were awarded for the match against the Belgian XV which resulted in a win for the Wanderers by 8 pts. to 3 pts. The Wanderers also beat the Brussels XV by 15 pts. to 13 pts.Allan Evans smashed the Club record of 111 pts. for the 1st XV which he set in season 74/75 when he scored a total of 173 points in season 75/76, a record he still holds. Following much activity and the dedication of Wynne Davies to his task, what was wasteland had by now become a lush playing surface and on the 1st September, 1975 the ground was officially opened by the then President of the Welsh Rugby Union, Handel C. Rogers. There followed a match between the Wanderers and a team made up of former Wanderers players. For the record, the teams were: The Wanderers maintained their record of being unbeaten on the Continent when in April 1980 they embarked on a tour of Brittany. The accommodation was good, the French wine was fine, the only thing missing was opposition! The organising company had, somehow, got its wires crossed and the touring party returned with their playing kit clean! It was also agreed that the Club's Headquarters be at the Prince of Wales Inn and that Llanelly R.F.C. be asked to receive a deputation to request the use of Stradey Park as the Club's home ground. Fortunately, the Scarlets co-operated in providing training facilities, the use of the ground and a dressing room for matches. The Wanderers were delighted in December, 1964 to play host to the University of Toronto who were on a British Tour. In fact, this was the first time in the Club's existence that a fixture had been arranged with a foreign team. The University sides' tour included matches against, Sidcup, Edinburgh Wanderers, Jordanhill F.P., a combined Tonyrefail/Gilfach Goch side and the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Terry Rees played in all 24 matches and the leading points scorer was Roger Evans who, whilst playing on the wing, scored 21 tries thus equalling the record set by E. O. James for the number of tries for a Club XV in a season, but, Roger played a few matches for 1st XV in this season and scored a try, thus establishing a try record for 1st and' A' XV in anyone season of 22 tries. It is significant to note that so many tries were being scored by the Wanderers wings, again revealing the running, open game which became a trademark of the Wanderers. Season 1968/69 was certainly a memorable one for Wynne Davies. Having been appointed as captain for the 'A' XV, he became the 'A' XV highest scorer with 48 pts. from a total of 16 tries. In his appearances with the 1 st XV, he had scored a further 7 tries which meant that the record of 22 tries established in 60/61 by Roger Evans, had at last been broken. Wynne's total of23 tries is a record which stands to this day. Here again, it is worthy of note that the try scoring record was broken by yet another wing threequarter. Wynne continued to distinguish himself when, along with scrum half Lincoln Law, he represented the Llanelli and District Junior Union in their cup winning side. The first recipients of these trophies for the season 1971/72 were Wynne Davies who received the President’s Cup and Robert Morgan received the Players’ Trophy. urn:lcp:historyofllanell0000harr:epub:c4f221a7-d106-416c-87ab-cb839a67f636 Foldoutcount 0 Identifier historyofllanell0000harr Identifier-ark ark:/13960/s230ccjkp9f Invoice 1652 Isbn 0906821126

Jonathan Griffiths in action in the Dave Porter memorial match, at Westhill, Shanklin, last summer.

Indeed, the Club's history to date could justifiably be called "The Life and Times of Harry Evans". Harry in fact became the Club's first life member. This was an honour he received in 1975 for his loyal service to the Wanderers Club. The investigations into the feasibility of the Wanderers own ground at Stradey proved to be fruitful and in March 1974 the Club launched an appeal fund to develop what was unsightly scrubland, into a playing area, with facilities which have since become the envy of many local sides. The highlight of the 1967/68 season was that Club skipper Ieuan Jones became the Clubs' second player to notch up over 100 pts. in his personal tally for a season, with John Barrow just failing to become the first 'A' XV player to emulate this feat with 90 pts. The concept of the Wanderers having their own ground was one which the founder members of the Club had looked forward to from the early days. Unfortunately, one of them in particular was not to see this project finalised, for in July, 1974 the Wanderers, as well as the whole of the rugby fraternity, mourned the passing of D. M. Hughes. He was a man, held in considerable respect by all who knew him. After retiring as a player, he took up refereeing and was appointed to the International Referee's panel in 1964. He refereed five internationals and numerous repesentative matches before retiring in 1967. He was Vice Chairman of the Wanderers Club from 1954 to 1957 when he became Chairman until 1959. He then became the Club's Secretary, a position he held until 1967. Although he left Llanelli in 1971 to take up a position at Melton Mowbray, he maintained his close links with the Club even to the extent of arranging an annual rugby match between the Wanderers and Melton Mowbray.

As an exercise, selectors were chosen from the Club membership to select what they considered to be the strongest side that the Wanderers could field. The selectors were chosen from members who have had a long association with the rugby of the Wanderers, both as administrators and as players. Their brief was to select a XV on the merits of each player being at his best during his rugby career, having due regard to rugby at that time, and to be eligible for selection, each player must have played at least 20 games for the Club. Their task was a difficult one with so many accomplished players to choose from, but eventually, the team selected is as follows: The advantages of such an arrangement to the premier club was that it would establish a source of reserve talent and eliminate difficulties that often confronted the Scarlets when selected players withdrew at short notice. It was at the first General Meeting of the Club on 16th April, 1951 that it was agreed that the Club colours be Maroon with a 'W' on a white shield and that the following would serve as a Committee: Messrs. H. D. Evans; Cliff Jones; W. Rees; H. Rowe; H. R. Thomas and R. E. Williams, with the following serving on the Selection Committee: A. Lewis and G. R. Wilson. Team Secretary: Reg Bayliss. Four years later, Matthew was the Club's captain as together with many of the class of '93, he led Glamorgan to their third Championship title. The summer of 1997 also saw Waqar Younis, the great Pakistani fast bowler, play for the Welsh county, and like Viv in 1993, Waqar played an integral role in Glamorgan's title success, delivering a series of match-winning spells, including one at Liverpool as Lancashire were dismissed for just 51. The Wanderers undertook a journey to Guernsey in April 1977 when it was quite clear that the island's healthy environment was found to be to the tourists liking when they ran out winners by 34 pts. to 9 against New Milton.