PONTY RUGBY - CLUB HONOURS

Pontypridd RFC have always been a successful club but in the years 1975 to 1982 Ponty were never out of the top four clubs in Wales.  The club did enjoy even greater success when the new League structure and Welsh Cup came to Wales, and were amongst the top three clubs in Wales since 1991.

With the advent of "pretend" regional rugby all looked rosy and Ponty were all set to become part of the strongest team in Wales and Europe, having combined with Bridgend to form the Celtic Warriors. Indeed, in their first season the "Warriors" even managed to beat European champions of 2004 - Wasps! But the dream that we'd somehow survive in a professional age was short-lived as Ponty went bust and had their half share in the Celtic Warriors bought by backer Leighton Samuels who subsequently gave them to the WRU. Incredibly and against public opinion CEO David Moffett closed them down, put rugby back 20 years in Wales, forcing many life long rugby fans to desert the game forever and in effect forced the "Warriors" players to take up contracts with the other inferior teams left in Wales. Like a bunch of piranhas the other "clubs" quickly butchered the fine crop of Welsh internationals and British Lions that were part of the great Ponty set-up and probably gave Muppett some thread bare carpets, a few cheap pies and an old lorry for his trouble.

Just some of the Warriors players:

Brent Cockbain (Lock) - Wales International, British and Irish Lions 2005
Gareth Cooper (Scrum Half) - Wales International, British and Irish Lions 2005
Mefin Davies (Hooker) - Wales International
Chris Horsman (Prop) - Wales International
Dafydd James (Wing/Centre) - Wales International, British and Irish Lions 2001
Ryan Jones (Flanker/No.8) - Wales International, British and Irish Lions 2005
Gethin Jenkins (Prop) - Wales International, British and Irish Lions 2005
Neil Jenkins (Outside-Half) - Wales International, British and Irish Lions 1997 and 2001
Christian Loader (Prop) - Wales International
Sililo Martens (Scrum-Half) - Tonga International
Maama Molitika (Flanker) - Tonga International
Kevin Morgan (Full-back) - Wales International
Sonny Parker (Centre) - Wales International
Richard Parks (Flanker) - Wales International
Robert Sidoli (Lock) - Wales International
Ceri Sweeney (Outside-Half) - Wales International
Gareth Thomas (Wing/Centre/Full-back) - Wales International, British and Irish Lions 2005
Lee Thomas (Centre/Outside-Half) - Wales Youth International
Gareth Wyatt (Wing) - Wales International
Jonathan Bryant (Centre) - Wales International
 

As the WRU moved towards it's ultimate aim - the erosion of Welsh culture, an M4 corridor 4-team Wales and the inevitable destruction of Welsh rugby we wonder what next? Ponty stays a premiership club of course, but with the club resigned to being a feeder club to "we've never won anything and never will no matter how many ex-Kiwis we buy" C****** we must assume we will never win anything ever again, as all good players we produce will take the A470 south to the big city with it's shining lights and loose women, or west to the Ospreys and unfulfilled potential thus ensuring Ponty never develops into a great team again.
 

But we'll see... and will never give up hope. Perhaps David Moffett will die in some freak yachting accident and the WRU will be taken over by someone who understands the Welsh psyche and the Celtic Warriors will rise again. Until then we'll visit DIY stores, support Ponty in the premiership and watch our local village clubs. Who knows, some day soon a Welsh coach will be appointed who will realise that Wales needs at least 5 strong regions of Welsh qualified players and a new valleys region will rise from the ashes. That is certainly the future.

Club Record

Founded: 1876
League Champions: 1963, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1997
Welsh Cup Winners: 1996, 2002, 2006
Welsh Cup Finalists: 1987, 1995, 2005, 2008
Champions Challenge Cup: 1997
WRU Challenge Cup: 1998
European Cup Quarter-finalists: 1999
Heineken Cup Group Runners-Up: 1995, 2004
Premier Division Runners-Up: 1999
Parker Pen Shield Semi-finalists: 2003
Parker Pen Shield Finalists: 2002
 

To see this season's table - click here.

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