Team of the week THIS WEEK: Clwb Rygbi Abergele Seniors 1st XV team
WHEN and where was the team formed and who by?
Clwb Rygbi Abergele was formed December 1975.
It was an idea of Terry Morris, a former Colwyn Bay player and teacher, who gathered friends and colleagues from Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan to form a team.
This team then later played their first ever match at home, against a then two-year old Caernarfon Rugby Club. WHERE do the team play?
We play at Pentre Mawr Park, in the centre of Abergele. WHEN do you practice?
Senior training is every Tuesday and Thursday, with a 7pm start. Everyone is welcome. WHO are the team’s manager and coach?
We are fortunate enough to have head coach Jimmy Waring, backs coaches Mike Batey and Simon Woods with Paul Evans assuming responsibility of the forwards. WHAT level (division and league) do you play at, and how has your season gone so far?
We currently compete in Division Two North where we are having a successful campaign, currently in third position, two points behind joint leaders Colwyn Bay and Llangefni.
We recorded an emphatic 17-9 win over Llangefni this month and we are the only team to beat them in the league this season. Before playing us they had won nine matches in a row. WHO are your team sponsors?
We are extremely grateful to receive support from a host of different sponsors.
The senior setup is currently sponsored by Pilkington Asbestos Removal Services Ltd.
Have you had any players who have gone on to bigger things?
Ian Marshall and Anthony Tilley have both represented Wales (A) Rugby League in the Four Nations.
More recently Anthony was recalled to represent again in the Celtic Championships 2014.
Owain Davies currently plays for Kirkham Grammar school and is due to trial for Lancashire.
Gareth Evans represented RGC in the 2012/13 season.
What are the biggest achievements that the team has won or been awarded? We were treble winners in 2010. We gained promotion to Division Four North in 2007/08 and were Division Four North champions in 2008/09 and 2009/10.
Abergele were also North Wales Junior Cup winners in 2010 and lifted the North Wales Intermediate Cup in the same year.
We gained promotion to Division Two North in 2010/11 and were North Wales Intermediate Cup winners in 2013/14.
What are the plans for the future of the team? As a club we strive on progression. Our plan is to develop the current crop of talent we have, creating a conveyor belt from juniors to seniors to represent Clwb Rygbi Abergele at the highest level. When is your next match? Shotton Steel at home this Saturday in Division Two North (2.30pm ko). Are you looking for new players? We are always on the lookout for new talent. If you are 18+ and are looking for a challenge, come down! Want to know more? You can keep up to date with the team on Facebook under ‘Clwb Rygbi Abergele’. Follow them on Twitter @ ClwbRygbiAberge or go to the club’s website at abergelerfc.mywru.co.uk
Are you a dab hand at darts, an ace with a pool cue, or a tornado table tennis player? Why not get your team involved in this Q&A feature. Get in touch by sending an email to joy.burgess@trinitymirror.com or contact on Twitter @JoyBurgess7