| Neath v Merthyr 17:45 - Apr 12 with 850 views | max936 |
Playing each other in Premiership rugby cup final on S4C ko 5.45. |  | | |  |
| Neath v Merthyr on 19:49 - Apr 12 with 810 views | max936 |
Neath, Neath, Neath runout winners winning 32 - 21 | | | |
| Neath v Merthyr on 12:55 - Apr 13 with 740 views | Joesus_Of_Narbereth |
Not a rugby fan by any stretch but good to see Neath getting back to a semblance of success. One of the true Welsh historic sporting institutions who are probably the biggest losers from the regional farce. |  |
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| Neath v Merthyr on 13:21 - Apr 13 with 718 views | union_jack |
| Neath v Merthyr on 12:55 - Apr 13 by Joesus_Of_Narbereth |
Not a rugby fan by any stretch but good to see Neath getting back to a semblance of success. One of the true Welsh historic sporting institutions who are probably the biggest losers from the regional farce. |
I don’t think they were anything like the most affected club by the forming of the regions. |  |
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| Neath v Merthyr on 13:28 - Apr 13 with 697 views | Whiterockin |
| Neath v Merthyr on 12:55 - Apr 13 by Joesus_Of_Narbereth |
Not a rugby fan by any stretch but good to see Neath getting back to a semblance of success. One of the true Welsh historic sporting institutions who are probably the biggest losers from the regional farce. |
Bridgend
Aberavon
Pontypridd
Pontypool
All steeped in history all equally hit by the regional change, there are probably more with a strong claim. |  | | |
| Neath v Merthyr on 18:29 - Apr 13 with 615 views | max936 |
| Neath v Merthyr on 13:21 - Apr 13 by union_jack |
I don’t think they were anything like the most affected club by the forming of the regions. |
They were 100%. from early mid 80's managed by Brian Thomas, coached by Ron Waldron, later Ron took over from Brian and then Lyn Jones, they were a great side and regular winners, Pontypridd were their biggest challengers in the mid 90's onwards.
Regions started early 2000's 2002/3 I think; | | | |
| Neath v Merthyr on 18:29 - Apr 13 with 614 views | majorraglan |
| Neath v Merthyr on 13:28 - Apr 13 by Whiterockin |
Bridgend
Aberavon
Pontypridd
Pontypool
All steeped in history all equally hit by the regional change, there are probably more with a strong claim. |
I’d agree with your comments.
When the Ospreys were initially formed they were known as the Neath Swansea Ospreys and were a new team based on the merger of Neath RFC and Swansea RFC, Aberavon and Maesteg were cast aside. For a few years Aberavon had very little support from the Os but things changed when Neath and the Os fell out.
Pontypridd and Bridgend had a pretty poor deal too, the Celtic Warriors lasted 1 season and Ponty were dropped in to the Cardiff Region and Bridgend in to the Ospreys. Ponty have had very little to do with Cardiff, after the Neath / Os issues Bridgend benefitted from additional Ospreys support, (probably more than Aberavon but not as much as Swansea).
From what I can see Pontypool also had a rough deal. |  | | |
| Neath v Merthyr on 19:33 - Apr 13 with 590 views | max936 |
| Neath v Merthyr on 18:29 - Apr 13 by majorraglan |
I’d agree with your comments.
When the Ospreys were initially formed they were known as the Neath Swansea Ospreys and were a new team based on the merger of Neath RFC and Swansea RFC, Aberavon and Maesteg were cast aside. For a few years Aberavon had very little support from the Os but things changed when Neath and the Os fell out.
Pontypridd and Bridgend had a pretty poor deal too, the Celtic Warriors lasted 1 season and Ponty were dropped in to the Cardiff Region and Bridgend in to the Ospreys. Ponty have had very little to do with Cardiff, after the Neath / Os issues Bridgend benefitted from additional Ospreys support, (probably more than Aberavon but not as much as Swansea).
From what I can see Pontypool also had a rough deal. |
Aberavon had lots of support from the Ospreys they lent them loads of players, Cuddy fell out with loads of clubs and that was stopped | | | |
| Neath v Merthyr on 20:47 - Apr 13 with 557 views | majorraglan |
| Neath v Merthyr on 19:33 - Apr 13 by max936 |
Aberavon had lots of support from the Ospreys they lent them loads of players, Cuddy fell out with loads of clubs and that was stopped |
Only after Cuddy and Hawkes fell out. For years Aberavon got nowt.
Neath aren’t currently in the SRC tournament which is supposed to be the development platform for aspiring professional players, the Os have allocated the largest number of players to Swansea, Bridgend and Aberavon in that order.
Cardiff finished top of the SRC league - it’s no surprise that Cardiff Rugby loaded the Cardiff club side with pro and academy players which distorts the competition. WRU need to re look at it. | | | |
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| Neath v Merthyr on 21:17 - Apr 13 with 532 views | max936 |
| Neath v Merthyr on 20:47 - Apr 13 by majorraglan |
Only after Cuddy and Hawkes fell out. For years Aberavon got nowt.
Neath aren’t currently in the SRC tournament which is supposed to be the development platform for aspiring professional players, the Os have allocated the largest number of players to Swansea, Bridgend and Aberavon in that order.
Cardiff finished top of the SRC league - it’s no surprise that Cardiff Rugby loaded the Cardiff club side with pro and academy players which distorts the competition. WRU need to re look at it. |
Double post. [Post edited 15 Apr 20:48]
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| Neath v Merthyr on 21:21 - Apr 13 with 532 views | max936 |
| Neath v Merthyr on 20:47 - Apr 13 by majorraglan |
Only after Cuddy and Hawkes fell out. For years Aberavon got nowt.
Neath aren’t currently in the SRC tournament which is supposed to be the development platform for aspiring professional players, the Os have allocated the largest number of players to Swansea, Bridgend and Aberavon in that order.
Cardiff finished top of the SRC league - it’s no surprise that Cardiff Rugby loaded the Cardiff club side with pro and academy players which distorts the competition. WRU need to re look at it. |
Ospreys and Neath have fell out about 3 or more years ago, so the Ospreys aren't gonna help Neath.
I know about the fallout. | | | |
| Neath v Merthyr on 03:51 - Apr 14 with 496 views | Demitrius |
Would it be blasphemy to say regionalisation effectively killed Welsh rugby?
A poison sold as a cure ?
Growing up everyone went to watch club rugby in the 70s and Wales were dominant in the 5 nations and Lions squads...
Now..? [Post edited 14 Apr 4:05]
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| “Cunnilingus and Psychiatry brought us to this …” |
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| Neath v Merthyr on 16:49 - Apr 14 with 419 views | max936 |
| Neath v Merthyr on 03:51 - Apr 14 by Demitrius |
Would it be blasphemy to say regionalisation effectively killed Welsh rugby?
A poison sold as a cure ?
Growing up everyone went to watch club rugby in the 70s and Wales were dominant in the 5 nations and Lions squads...
Now..? [Post edited 14 Apr 4:05]
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Those in charge at HQ killed Welsh rugby by putting their heads in the sand and not looking or thinking about the future once those players of the last golden age finished and they all sort of finished in pretty much a 3yr period, with very little talent coming through.
Those at HQ pretty much let grass roots rugby fester and dined out on the success of the Gatland years and we still haven't recovered. | | | |
| Neath v Merthyr on 17:11 - Apr 14 with 398 views | onehunglow |
| Neath v Merthyr on 03:51 - Apr 14 by Demitrius |
Would it be blasphemy to say regionalisation effectively killed Welsh rugby?
A poison sold as a cure ?
Growing up everyone went to watch club rugby in the 70s and Wales were dominant in the 5 nations and Lions squads...
Now..? [Post edited 14 Apr 4:05]
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Wales is tribal and rugby neatly defines this
Rugby Union had to go professional as the all blacks and Afrikaner arseipes were getting paid for years
Wales lost a generation of top players to League
I know for a fact Alan Bateman didn’t exactly look for a fortune when going to Warrington , JUST A LIVING . A wonderful player lost .
Yet we squabbled
Neath and Swansea ? Really , as nuts as joining forces with Llanelli , Swansea Llanelli Ospreys , yeah !
Valleys feeling left out
North Wales too
Years later we still can’t agree
This is why Rugby is forked in Wales | |
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| Neath v Merthyr on 17:28 - Apr 14 with 386 views | max936 |
| Neath v Merthyr on 17:11 - Apr 14 by onehunglow |
Wales is tribal and rugby neatly defines this
Rugby Union had to go professional as the all blacks and Afrikaner arseipes were getting paid for years
Wales lost a generation of top players to League
I know for a fact Alan Bateman didn’t exactly look for a fortune when going to Warrington , JUST A LIVING . A wonderful player lost .
Yet we squabbled
Neath and Swansea ? Really , as nuts as joining forces with Llanelli , Swansea Llanelli Ospreys , yeah !
Valleys feeling left out
North Wales too
Years later we still can’t agree
This is why Rugby is forked in Wales |
Neath and Swansea were and still are a decent even perfect pairing, Swansea or Neath aligning with Llanelli was never gonna happen and won't ever happen in what's left of my life time.
And I speak with a foot in both camps having been born in Swansea in 61 and living in Neath since 83.
as an aside I'd move back to Jackland in a heart beat if I could. | | | |
| Neath v Merthyr on 17:31 - Apr 14 with 384 views | onehunglow |
| Neath v Merthyr on 17:28 - Apr 14 by max936 |
Neath and Swansea were and still are a decent even perfect pairing, Swansea or Neath aligning with Llanelli was never gonna happen and won't ever happen in what's left of my life time.
And I speak with a foot in both camps having been born in Swansea in 61 and living in Neath since 83.
as an aside I'd move back to Jackland in a heart beat if I could. |
Well, I see it differently
Neath ,to me,has nowt in common with Swansea
It’s a village in comparison and a different mentality
You mention parochialism and you’re dead right
Bangor v Caernarfon would surprise you | |
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| Neath v Merthyr on 17:41 - Apr 14 with 375 views | max936 |
| Neath v Merthyr on 17:31 - Apr 14 by onehunglow |
Well, I see it differently
Neath ,to me,has nowt in common with Swansea
It’s a village in comparison and a different mentality
You mention parochialism and you’re dead right
Bangor v Caernarfon would surprise you |
I don't feel any parochialism between Neath and Swansea until I'm travelling over Loughor bridge, nowt in common that's pure unadulterated nonsense.
I'm saying no more on this subject! | | | |
| Neath v Merthyr on 20:34 - Apr 15 with 283 views | Joesus_Of_Narbereth |
| Neath v Merthyr on 03:51 - Apr 14 by Demitrius |
Would it be blasphemy to say regionalisation effectively killed Welsh rugby?
A poison sold as a cure ?
Growing up everyone went to watch club rugby in the 70s and Wales were dominant in the 5 nations and Lions squads...
Now..? [Post edited 14 Apr 4:05]
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I think sporting clubs in this country need to be based in that history and sense of community. There’s a reason MK Dons are so vilified and have had little success despite having fantastic facilities and a good sized modern city.
The regions destroyed all semblance of history. The likes of Neath went from dominating the old premiership and producing some of Wales great players to nearly going out of business although that was a lot to do with the owners too.
The potential and interest is still there. They got around 5000 people turn up for a game against Bonymaen a while back. Their attendance figures dwarf that of the Welsh premier league in football.
Think the whole thing needs tearing up and going back to the start. But again I’m not that knowledgeable on rugby. | |
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