Cowbridge RFC season ended with a hugely enjoyable club dinner with the club packed to the extent that a marquee was added to accommodate the numbers involved. The reason for this interest was an evening with John-Paul Davies as MC and guest Shame Williams MBE . Club Secretary Rhodri Jones brought the evening to order before President Lyn Thomas asked for moments of reflection for those who had passed during the year. Club Chaplain Nick Mottershead said a prayer with sporting connotations before Chairman John Griffiths welcomed guests Huw Mason [Cricket], Nick Guard [Squash], Phil Thomas [HRT], John-Paul Davies and Shane Williams MBE. John thanked all those unsung heroes who made the club tick and the coaches of the Minis, Juniors and Youth, the life blood of the club. There was special thanks for the coaches of the 1st XV, Rich Harris , team manager Gerwyn Jones and assistants Lewis Jones, Rhys Williams and Tom Penry-Ellis .

Rhod Jones thanked Alex Jenkins for organising the evening and introduced those assembled to John-Paul, no mean rugby player himself having played for Aberavon and South Wales Police amongst other clubs, he had been a senior presenter with Sky Sports before moving on to become a freelance journalist. Rhod then moved on to special guest Shane Williams who started and finished playing for Amman Utd and in between carved out a career as one of the greatest players to play for Wales. Shane won 87 tests for Wales scoring 58 tries, making him the fourth highest try scorer, was part of the welsh teams that won 2 Grand Slams and 2 Triple Crowns and toured twice with with the British and Irish Lions in 2005 and 2009 . In 2008 he won World Player of the Year edging out players of the calibre of Dan Carter and Sergio Parisse.

John-Paul then delved into Shane's story which started as a scrum half at his beloved Amman Utd before signing for Neath. It was there under the guidance of coach Lyn Jones that Lyn moved him from scrum half to wing and so the story began. From Neath he signed for Ospreys and after 9 years went to Japan before returning to Amman Utd and playing in their Bowl Final victory in 2017. Along the way he played under hard taskmasters Graham Henry, who gave him his first cap and particularly Steven Hansen who told him he was too small and his defence not good enough but he proved all doubters wrong relying on his natural talents and mindset that skill would beat brawn.

Shane had his eyes opened following his son Carter's journey to the Welsh Youth Cup Final victory over Pontypool Utd with Amman's team again proving that size wasn't everything and seeing first hand the number of quality youth players in Wales. Shane was passionate that club rugby was not only vital for the community game but equally to the game in Wales, wanting the WRU to pay far more attention to the club game.

Shane was selected as third choice scrum half for the 2003 World Cup and was key to the performance the team gave against New Zealand, giving them a mighty shock before NZ pulled clear. Although not selected for the first two Lions tests in South Africa in 2009 what is perhaps forgotten is that selected for the victorious third test Shane won man of the match and scored two tries

Captain Adam Dix then spoke in an amusing summary of the season taking the rise out of his players in turn but also acknowledging the contributions they had all made. He had special words of thanks for players not able to play due to injury but had shown huge support for the team such as Jack Forsyth, Charlie Locke and Sam Richards. He pointed that that we had beaten high flying Clwb Rygbi at home and lost in the cup to them by just 3 points with the referee, shall we say not at the top of his game, and lost 5 other league games by just one score. He felt the team should have done better and but for Owen John and Max Lucas' long term injuries might well have done. There were great additions to the squad in the form of wingers Callum MacPhail and Rhydian Bailey but it was a sad good bye to Tom Jenkins who put his body on the line week in and week out and had won the most Man of the Match awards this year. Adam said that the players had thoroughly enjoyed the club trip to Porto and recent trip to Llanelli and thanked the organisers, the committee for all their efforts and the wonderful bar staff for all they did.

After an auction of a print by our own Alys Roberts, a 4 ball at Cotterell Park and a signed Welsh rugby ball and shirt we moved on to the raffle . We thank all those who so generously contributed the prizes.

Coach Rich Harris thanked all the players for their commitment and he and team manager Gerwyn Jones were particularly proud that of the 44 players who represented the club this season 75% were from the minis, juniors or youth . Congratulations and club ties were given to Evan Thomas, Morgan Harris, Tom Evans, Ben Jones and George Thomas had all reached 50 caps. Top points scorer was full back Liam Phillips, top try scorer was wing Rhydian Bailey with top try scoring forward prop Ieuan Davies. Try of the season went, for the second year, to centre Ioan Cooper, a mercurial open field runner, versus Taffs Wells .

Awards this year were as follows :-

Young player - Rhydian Bailey
Most improved - Callum MacPhail
Players Player - Rhydian Bailey
Presidents Cup - Coaches player - Tom Evans
Vic Vaughan Supporters player - George Thomas
Players Clubman - Sam Richards
Non Playing Clubman - Alex Jenkins

Thanks go to all involved on the night. Alex Jenkins as main organiser aided by amongst others Chris Rees and the wonderful bar staff, Julie, Alys R and Alys T with Iolo.

This is our last report as RV/RK . We have covered the games for quite some time. It has been a pleasure to watch the team, particularly in recent times, with their open running rugby and be part of the support network. Good luck to whoever follows us.

The club would like to thank Rob and Rich not only for their written contribution but they are also out in all weathers setting up the flags and post protectors every home game - unsung heroes.

Photos courtesy of Russell Bailey.

2025/26 End of Season Awards

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