Saturday 11th April was a significant date in this year’s season for Burry Port RFC with the First XV, Development XV and Youth XV all playing league fixtures.
Burry Port First XV travelled a short distance to BYNEA RFC with the intention of running their big opponents around the field and in an exciting match just came short with a 28-22 loss but signalled hugely improved performance and gained two losing bonus points.
With such a young team the tactic has been to play expansive rugby this season and there were many positive points such as scoring 4 tries, while BYNEA relied heavily on kicking, Burry Port can claim a moral victory for trying to play a style of rugby that is a far better product to watch.
Meanwhile, the Development XV were back in action following their midweek 4 try triumph against TUMBLE, and it was back to league action away at BETWS RFC. In a close opening 20 minutes both teams showed enterprise and took advantage of the glorious weather to play open running rugby. BETWS came close but it was a determined defence from Burry Port who kept them out. With more possession Burry Port held onto the ball and patiently went through a number of phases with forwards and backs combining resulting in 3 first half tries. Half time score 17-0.
It was more of the same in the second half and when the ref lost patience with the home team for continually challenging his decisions he showed them two yellow cards. Burry Port kept their discipline and charged ahead with a dominant line, strong running and good support play Burry Port scored six further tries in the second half with two late consolation tries coming from the home team to end the game BETWS 14- 60 BURRY PORT. This victory places Burry Port in second spot in the league with 3 games in hand over the top team. The season of hard work and perseverence is certainly paying off for the Development XV as they have progressed through to the Plate Final and this is a huge achievement for the second team.
The Youth XV were also involved in a league fixture and hosted LAMPETER TOWN in a thrilling encounter. With a number of boys being selected for the First XV it was thanks to many of the Under 16’s players who have progressed through to the Youth Team this season and with a few more experienced Youth players combining to produce a 17-15 home win.
This was a battle from start to finish and mirrored the away game up in LAMPETER earlier this season where the boys held on with a big defence to repel wave after wave of attack. It was fair to say the Youth team never gave up and despite being under pressure for long periods of the match, they held their nerve and came away with a well deserved victory.
The whole club can be proud of the 3 teams that took the field and this was an impressive achievement as many local clubs are no longer able to field 3 teams. The common values that we attribute to success are evident in all 3 teams, such as hard work, determination and a desire to improve standards, and improvements have certainly been made this season and with a total of 15 tries being scored in one afternoon, and with the inclusion of a Ladies XV and Warriors XV (Integrated rugby team including people with learning disabilities) Burry Port are developing rugby opportunities across our senior teams, with an additional 10 teams in the thriving Junior Section, Burry Port have drawn the attention for the Welsh Rugby Union who have praised their community spirit.
This week the Welsh Rugby Union have announced that as a reward for their achievements, they will play a full regional 7’s competition at the Memorial Park, Burry Port where the Scarlet’s, Blues, Dragon’s and Osprey’s will play at Women’s senior and Under 18’s levels.
The competition will be an official Wales team trial match and the whole club are excited about the prospect of it taking place on Saturday 2nd May.
Did this happen by accident? I’d like to think that this prestigious event was the direct result of a collective effort over by many people over a number of years, well done everyone involved and long may it continue!
Gary James
