Maesteg make shock drop in league structure

MAESTEG RFC, once one of Welsh rugby’s historically strong clubs, will start the coming season in Division 3 East Central C amid a crippling player shortage that has seen 20 of their squad depart for other teams.

The club of Gwyn Evans, Allan Bateman and Chico Hopkins have had just five players training at times this summer, according to a source.

They have voluntarily given up their place in Division One West Central, with the Welsh Rugby Union granting their request to drop down the divisions.

A statement on the club’s Twitter feed ran: “The club would like to confirm to all members & supporters that it has made the decision to withdraw from playing in Division 1WC and have requested to join Division 3ECC for the coming season. The WRU have granted the club’s request.

“The club’s decision was made after a huge effort in the close season to attract players to play in Division 1 to replace the 20 players who left for other clubs.

“The club plans to rebuild over the next few years focusing on its youth/junior teams.

“We are already seeing increased interest in players joining the club to play/compete at the lower level. All new players are welcome to come and join the club and be part of a new/better future for Maesteg RFC. Training is every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm #7777.”

It is desperate news for one of Welsh rugby’s proudest clubs.

Maesteg were once big hitters in the old Merit Table, emerging as champions in 1978 and 1979. They marked their centenary by playing the Maori in 1982, the match ending in a 10-10 draw, and posted an invincible season in 1949-50, not losing once over 43 games.

But league rugby has not been kind to them and the advancement of Maesteg Harlequins, who will play in the Championship in the new season, has seen the Old Parish lose their traditional pre-eminence in the Llynfi Valley.

“It is heartbreaking,” said a source close to the club.

“At one point only five players turned up for training, with others away and many having left for other clubs.

“It has just snowballed. People could see other boys leaving and then decided to follow them.

“Maybe dropping down a couple of divisions will allow us to regroup and hopefully come back stronger.”