News

The WRU National League takes a break for Cup action on Saturday and Aberystwyth face a long trip to the capital to face Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd in the third round of the SSE SWALEC Plate competition. Formed in 1967 as a rugby club for predominantly Welsh speakers in Cardiff, CRCC have risen through the League structure to now play in the second division (like Aberystwyth) but in the East Central geographical grouping. In the 48 years of their existence they  have by now  become a thriving community Club in the city; just four years ago they played in Division 5 South East and, partly buoyed up by various reorganisations in the National structure rose to runner-up spot in the fourth division in 2013-14, and thence to Division 2 South East last season when they finished in a very impressive fourth place. They have had an indifferent start to this season, currently lying ninth in the table, but have only played nine out of a possible 15 League matches. They have been particularly badly hit by recent meteorological conditions not having played a League match since 28^th November. They had one Plate outing in December when they overcame first Division side Brecon very convincingly by 51-23 at home. On that day Aberystwyth made another long trek to Pontypool United where they overcame their hosts 10-25. In the opening round of the competition this year Aberystwyth beat Penlan (2 West Central) 11-8 whilst CRCC had the better of fellow 2EC side St Peters in a narrow 20-23 win.

CRCC attract players from all over the country whether or not they speak the native language and is the main focal rugby point for many youngsters who move to the Cardiff region. The playing contingent over the years has included many well known names in Welsh media circles and two former Welsh internationals (in the form of Billy Raybould and Mark Titley)  have turned out  for the Clwb. Their current player cohort includes several who hail from Ceredigion, notably ex-Aber threequarter Richard Read, son of Aberystwyth trustee Robert,  a regular name on the CRCC teamsheet, playing on the wing. There will be great interest therefore in the line-ups on Saturday as the two teams face each other. It will be their first encounter in a formal competition (although Clwb teams have played friendlies in Aberystwyth “on tour”).

The weather did have some influence on CRCC’s second round match as it rendered their home pitch unplayable; that match had to be switched to Cardiff Arms Park where they played on the salubrious all weather pitch. This Saturday however the match will be played on their normal turf at Llandaff Fields (CF11 9HZ) with a 2pm kick-off as is the norm for Plate matches.