CELEBRATIONS Rugby sides from ‘60s reunite

FORMER youth rugby squad members have reunited to celebrate more than 50 years since they were teammates.

Veterans of the Cardiff Rugby Club youth teams of 1963-64 and 1964-65 met at Cardiff Athletic Club for their reunion on Monday.

Many of the men went on to play for the Cardiff first team and a few even represented Wales at youth level and in the full international team.

The group visited the Gatekeeper in the city centre, near the current Cardiff Athletic Club, to reminisce about their time at the club.

Former club member Kevin Lyons, 71, from Radyr, said: “All the players were very proud to represent Cardiff RFC as they were one of the strongest and most famous and respected clubs in world rugby.

“I have been involved in professional cricket for 50-plus years, but remember with great affection those couple of years as a great sporting education, together with learning the virtue of real team ethos which hopefully has helped myself and the others to genuinely appreciate the opportunity that was afforded us.”

Many of the team’s players went on to enjoy successful sporting careers after their time with the Cardiff RFC youths.

Several represented Cardiff at senior level including David Ivins, Terry Stephenson, Martin Truran and Alex Findlayson, who also played for Wales.

Kevin finished rugby at youth level to pursue a career in first-class professional cricket.

His career spanned 50 years of playing, coaching and umpiring.

He left Cardiff Rugby Club after the 1963-64 season to join the MCC Young Cricketers programme at Lord’s, before coming back and signing a contract with Glamorgan.

Kevin added: “This is the second reunion and all who attended have extremely fond memories of their days associated with one of the greatest clubs in the world, and to this very day are proud of their connection to the history of Cardiff RFC.”