Newbridge RFC is a Welsh Rugby Union club based in Newbridge, Caerphilly in South Wales. Newbridge RFC was formed in 1888 and joined the WRU in 1911. They play in the WRU Welsh Championship East
| Full name | Newbridge Rugby Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Union | Welsh Rugby Union | ||
| Founded | 1888[1] | ||
| Location | Newbridge, Caerphilly Wales | ||
| Ground(s) | The Welfare Ground | ||
| President | Mr. Robert Collins | ||
| Coach(es) | Jason Williams, Paul "Dire" Edwards | ||
| Captain(s) | Matthew Davies and Stuart Vokes | ||
| League(s) | Welsh Premier Division | ||
| 2023-2024 | Welsh Championship East - 5th (promoted) [2] | ||
| |||
| Official website | |||
| newbridge | |||
Club history
editNewbridge RFC established in 1888, but only gained admission to the WRU in 1911 when it secured a ground and facilities up to WRU requirements.
In 1925 Newbridge Rugby Club moved to their present home at the Welfare Ground where they signed a 99-year lease at a shilling a year. A new pavilion had been constructed around this time and the club now shares their ground with the local cricket team. The club are presently in their third clubhouse at the site after an explosion and 2 fires caused damage to past buildings.
On the field, Newbridge have been pioneers of a number of well known rugby traits, most of which were brought to fruition by the pioneering coach Dai Harries during his tenure as Club Coach in the 1960s. Most recognisably, these are; the tap signal from the hooker to the scrum half to feed the scrum, the formation of a wall for the taking of penalties and they are also one of the first Club's to introduce the Hooker as the player to throw the ball into the lineout. It was during Dai's reign as coach that the Club captured the Western Mail Championship to be crowned Champions of Wales in the 1964-65 season.
British and Irish Lions
editThe following players have played for the British and Irish Lions while playing for Newbridge RFC.
International honours
editThe following players have been capped at international level while playing for Newbridge RFC.
- See also Category:Newbridge RFC players
Club honours
edit- Western Mail Championship 1964–65 – Champions
- Snelling Sevens 1990 – Champions
- Snelling Sevens 1992 – Champions
- Ben Francis Cup 2010, 2011, 2022 and 2023 Winners
- WRU League 1 East 2022-2023 - Champions
- WRU National Division 1 Cup 2022-2023 - Champions
Games played against international opposition
edit| Year | Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Tour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19511 | 18 October |  South Africa
|
Lost | 6–15 | 1951–52 South Africa rugby union tour of Europe |
| 19622 | 24 October |  Canada
|
Won | 16-8 | 1962 tour of the United Kingdom |
| 19643 | 24 September |  Fiji
|
Draw | 11–11 | 1964 Fiji rugby union tour of Europe and Canada[4] |
| 19664 | 29 November |  Australia
|
Won | 12–3 | 1966–67 Australia rugby union tour of Britain, Ireland and France[5] |
| 1983 | 18 October |  Japan
|
Lost | 14–19 | 1983 Japan rugby union tour of Wales[6] |
| 1988 | 15 October |  Samoa
|
Lost | 15–16 | 1988 Western Samoa rugby union tour of Britain and Ireland[7] |
| 1989 | 23 September |  Wales
|
Lost | 4-25 | Special Centenary celebration |
| 1990 | 8 September |  Romania
|
Won | 35-21 | 1990 tour of Wales |
| 1994 | 9 Mar | Canada A
|
Lost | 8-9 |
1 A joint Pontypool/Newbridge team.
2 A joint Ebbw Vale /Newbridge team.
3 A joint Abertillery/Newbridge team.
4 A joint Pontypool/Cross Keys/Newbridge team.
References
edit- ^ Fields of Praise, The Official History of the Welsh Rugby Union 1881-1981, David Smith, Gareth Williams (1980) pp11 ISBN 0-7083-0766-3
- ^ WRU Website [1]
- ^ Jenkins, Vivian (ed.). Rothmans Rugby Yearbook 1981-82. ISBN 9780907574057.
- ^ Fiji Rugby.com Archived 11 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Pontypool". 29 November 1966.
- ^ Stephen Jones, ed. (1984). Rothmans Rugby Yearbook 1984–85. Queen Anne Press. p. 50. ISBN 0-356-10448-6.
- ^ Jones, Stephen, ed. (1989). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1989-90. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 37. ISBN 0356178625.
