The history of Llanelli Cricket Club

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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. Once again, the enthusiasm of the membership shone through in its financing and the voluntary spirit was to be the guiding influence in the modernisation of the premises. The Club Architect, Mr. Wynford Lewis, a versatile and notable clubman, was given a free hand and his work was the admiration of all clubs who patronised it. The accommodation included a bar, smoking lounge, a spacious club room and excellent catering facilities. No doubt, the "team" will be the topic of discussion amongst the membership for some time to come. One can be assured that the discussion will remain on friendly terms.

The first meeting of the Llanelly Wanderers Rugby Football Club was called to be held on 7th March, 1951 at the Prince of Wales Inn, Hall Street, where there were 10 members present. At that meeting, the following officials were appointed: 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. Following the abandoned match at the Uplands, the Wanderers cancelled their fixtures for the remainder of the season and opened the following season (70/71) with a match at Carmarthen Athletic, the proceeds of which were to be donated to the fund. It is remarkable that there were on the field that evening, two players who were to tour South Africa with the unbeaten Lions of 1974. They were Clive Rees of the Wanderers and Roy Bergiers of Carmarthen Athletic.

Further distinction fell on the Wanderers when Alun Thomas was successful in being elected as a Welsh Rugby Union district representative in 1962. Following a civic reception at the Town Hall, the Wanderers engaged the tourists at Stradey Park, and after an entertaining match emerged the victors by 5 pts. to nil. 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 Club was by now, getting used to being in a state of excitement, but the inclusion of Clive Rees in the touring party, whilst being no surprise to the Club, introduced a feeling of euphoria. There cannot be many, if any, second class clubs who can claim to have had two from its ranks selected for a British Lions tour, something that the Club is particularly proud of. The dinner was attended by the great Willie John McBride who had been appointed to captain the Lions, Clive Rees, Gareth Edwards, Phil Bennett, Mervyn Davies, Tom David, J. J. Williams and Roy Bergiers, all of whom had been selected for the touring party. There were many notable people from the Welsh rugby scene and it was the great man himself, Willie John McBride who, during his speech, "felt humbled to be surrounded by so many people who collectively had so much rugby knowledge".

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. St Helens came in for him and he became a full-time professional, having tried to tempt him several times before.

Llanelli Cricket Club

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. 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 1974/75 season saw Allan Evans establish a new Club scoring record when he amassed a total of III points for the 1st XV, and also saw the evergreen Steve Pike's record of 82 consecutive appearances for the 1st XV come to an end. This amazing run started in the 71/72 season and remains a Club record. Training for the Club's first season began in mid August and a trial match was held at Stradey on 3rd September, 1951 following which Handel Greville, the former Welsh International and former Scarlets skipper, was elected to be the Club's first captain, although this was a distinction he was to hold for only 14 days as his services were required by Llanelli.

Two important appointments coincided with the memorable campaign of the first season, when the Bishop of St. David's Dr. W. T. Havard, and former Llanelli and Wales centre Albert Jenkins, served as Patron and Vice President respectively. The Wanderers and indeed the town ofLlanelli, suffered a great loss in May 1965 with the passing of T. Graham Pugh. He had been a founder member of the Wanderers Club and had served in the capacity of Honorary Secretary from the Club's inception in 1951 until 1958 when he became Chairman, a position he held until his passing. His contribution to the formation and development of the Wanderers Club is immeasurable. It was largely due to his vision, drive and enthusiasm, that the Club's reputation, both on and off the field, has been held in such high esteem for so long and the tributes received by the Club from many local rugby clubs, West Wales Rugby Union, Welsh Rugby Union and Societies of Referees, only stand to show how highly he was regarded. As well as holding the offices in the Wanderers Club, he served as Chairman of the Llanelli and District Rugby Union. As a tribute to him, the Wanderers Club commissioned a portrait in oils from local artist Mr. John Bowen. This portrait now hangs in the clubhouse in honour ofa man who the Wanderers can consider as being their first "statesman".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: Such was the popularity of the Wanderers that it had become necessary to form a second team in season 1960/61. Under the inspired leadership of Dennis Shanahan, they played their first match at Tumble coming away victors by 6 pts. to nil. President: Mr. Elvet Jones; Chairman: Mr. Hector Griffiths; Hon. Sec.: Mr. T. G. Pugh; Hon. Treasurer: Mr. J. D. C. Evans. The other members present at this meeting were D. M. Hughes; Ken John; Albert Lewis; Hugh Rowe; R. E. Williams and G. R. Wilson. Phillip Johnson and Stephen Pike left the field injured and were replaced by Nigel Parsons and William Davies respectively. After a particularly hard game, the former players XV were defeated by 21 pts. to 10 with Alan Evans having the distinction of scoring the first points on the ground with a penalty goal. A reception was held at the clubhouse after the match which was attended by the many dignitaries present for the opening ceremony, the players, the officials of the Wanderers Club and various other clubs who had been invited to this very special evening in the Club's history.