The season of 2006-07 Trinant R.F.C. will be celebrating the fact that for the past 50 years it has run continuously, although prior to 1956 there had been rugby played in the village but records of such games is hard to substantiate. After the second world war the club ran for a period of 3 seasons between 1945 and 1948 and were captained by Jack Holyfield, Albert Clayton & Grenville Jones. One of the oldest residents in the village Mr Trevor Friend born 1909 and now aged 97 can remember as a boy of about 8 or 9 watching a game of rugby in the village when one of the players called “Knocker Rowley” father of a “Harry Rowley”, collapsed and died whilst playing. This eyewitness account shows that rugby was being played in the village of Trinant just after the First World War and there have also been claims by other elder residents, that their fathers played rugby for Trinant before the First World War. It is such a shame that these claims cannot be corroborated with photographs, minutes or early press cuttings, if they could, we could well be celebrating our Centenary rather than a half Century.
In the first few months of 1956 new resident of Trinant Ray Morgan was approached by Albert Clayton who informed him that a committee had been formed for the purpose of reforming Trinant Rugby Football Club and requested him to accept the position of Secretary. Having only recently become the proud father of Nigel John he accepted with some trepidation.
He was then informed that they did not have, A dressing room for the players to change in, there was no kit in which they could play in and that there was no money so that these little matters could be put right.
At the first Committee Meeting of the newly formed Trinant Rugby Club it was decided to ask the lady supporters of the Club to form a Ladies Committee and to work as hard as they could to obtain as much money as possible to enable them to buy jerseys, stockings and shorts which they eventually did.
Mrs. Eileen Thomas was elected as their Secretary and she promised to do all she could to promote her Committee for the benefit of the Trinant Rugby Club.
During the initial months of the Club, frantic efforts were made to arrange match fixtures for the forthcoming season and Ray sent out 75 letters which resulted in 31 fixtures being arranged, the first game which was played was away to Hafodyrynys in early September 1956. The Club had applied to become a member of the Monmouthshire Junior Rugby Union who were also affiliated to the Welsh Rugby Union. This enabled them to arrange quite a variety of fixtures from all over Wales.
Colours of the kit were decided and a set of jerseys, shorts and stockings were purchased from Fussells a sports shop in Newport. The first colours being black and white hoops for the jerseys and stockings with black shorts.
THE PLAYERS
As soon as the news got around that the Trinant Rugby Club had been reformed, a number of players from the village, who were playing for other teams in the valley, particularly, Oakdale R.F.C. asked if they could join the newly formed club and eight players from Oakdale R.F.C. transferred their allegiance to Trinant R.F.C. Their secretary complained bitterly that Trinant R.F.C. were "Poaching" their players but it was to no avail as the new season would enable anyone to join whatever team they wished.
These players were extremely talented and consisted of John Beckett, Lionel Beckett, Glyn Morgan, Harry Davies, Jim Smith, Howell Jenkins, Gwyn Jones and Hadyn Morgan, but Hadyn was recruited immediately to first class club, Abertillery R.F.C.
Many of the players, if not all, who took part in the first seven years, played out of sheer loyalty to the club and pure enjoyment of playing Rugby Football. As far as Ray can recall these are most of the players who took part in that era of the club:-
FORWARDS :
John Beckett Dai Davies Jack Watkins Roy Harris Colin Ricketts Lyndon Nash Peter Richards Harry Davies
Gwyn Jones Graham Clayton Ray Brown Martin Day Hadyn Rees Jeff Catley Glyn Catley Hadyn Morgan
Russell Weaver Jim Leadbeater Lionel Becket Russell Thomas Joe Morrisey Dai Perrot Harry Rowley
Ken Smith Fred Watts Ray Morgan Bill Smith Mike Hopkins Terry Hopkins Pat Hopkins
BACKS :
Ian Smith Jim Smith Mike Rees Roy Rogers Howell Jenkins Terry Exall Glyn Morgan
Trevor Parker Leo Davies Alan Jones Keith Davies Bill Leadbeater Cedric Coombes Richard Todd
Garnet Davies Albert Clayton Glyn Morrisey Brian Bessant Ken Morrisey Jack Morriesy Howard Seabourne
BLAZER BADGE
It was also decided to design a blazer badge with the help of a local design artiste, Randy Phillips. He drew up a blazer badge which depicted a set of goal posts with a black and white background. This was later changed to a different design incorporating the Monmouthshire portcullis, three brooks representing the village of Trinant, three feathers representing the Welsh Rugby Union and the colours of the Club, black and white. A scarf was later made of the colours of the Club with black and white stripes and the secondary colour of dark green.
CHANGING FACILITIE’S
In the previous years of the Club, the players had used the Pentwyn Inn for their changing facilities and Mrs. Lawrence, the Pub' proprietor, was again approached for this same facility. For a time this arrangement was quite suitable but an objection was made by Mrs. Lawrence because the players were walking over the cobbles outside the Pub in their muddy boots eventually causing mud to be carried into the Pub which required extra cleaning.
The Committee then decided to ask the families of the players requesting them to allow players of the visiting teams to wash and change in their homes. Some of the families would take two or three players and it was even known that as many as six players would be taken on occasions.
A WELCOME INNOVATION
During the winter of 1956/1957 Season a very welcome innovation was the provision of a Nissin Hut which was purchased from a former Army Camp at Rogerstone for the sum of £20, this hut was then located on a concrete base on the green opposite Valley View and was going to be used for changing rooms for the players and when it was not being used for that purpose, it could also be used as a utility hut for raising funds for the club in the form of whist drives and little social get togethers. The hut was heated with a huge wrought iron fire stove and Ray was able to provide coal and firewood for the stove from his allowance from the local colliery. Within a few months the Ladies Section had purchased 10 electric fires which were placed on the ceiling of the hut, thus people who came to hut for games of whist were warm and dry. The hut had been painted inside with a nice mild green paint and it was particularly pleasant to all the players and visitors to the hut. Also purchased were 6 large tin baths, this allowed the players to bathe in the hut following matches. The hut also served use as a baby clinic for the local doctor, Dr. Edwards.
POSSESSION OF GROUND
During the Season 1959/1960, the club were informed that the ground they were now using was no longer available because the Monmouthshire County Council required the ground to build a new school. The Committee decided that all matches would have to be played on an "away" basis and that in the meantime, the club should investigate the possibility of purchasing 9 acres of ground at the end of the village.
The Club contacted Barclays Bank at Newbridge, who agreed to loan the club the money to purchase the new ground but on condition that the deeds of the ground be deposited in the Bank as collateral for the loan. They also required two guarantors to sign for the loan and two stalwarts of the Club, namely, Mr. Albert Clayton and Mr. Gwyn Jones agreed to perform this function.
The ground was eventually purchased for the sum of £1200 but there was one huge snag. The ground was dipping to the level of 1 in 20 which was very severe to play any form of rugby. A firm of specialists were contacted to level the ground but they required £4000 and at the time, the Club were unable to afford that amount.
LEVELLING OF GROUND
The club had been in contact with Major Snazell of Webbs Aberbeeg,. The local brewery, because there was talk of building a brand new club. During the conversations that were had with him he was told about the problem regarding the level of the ground and the high cost of the operation. He suggested that a bulldozer and scraper machine be hired on an hourly basis to level the ground. A firm at Bridgend was found to be suitable and work was started on the ground with the bulldozer. After pushing a total amount of 20,000 tons from the bank over the ground, levelling the ground with a scraper chain could begin. The time involved with this work was five days and the driver agreed to work extra time on the weekend to complete the job. The amount involved was £411.
Although the bulk of the work was done with the machines, the job could not have completed without the services of a qualified surveyor. This service was provided by Howell Jenkins, who was at the time playing for the Club at outside half. He and Ray used to go over to the ground at 7.30 a.m. every morning and Howell with his theodolite and with Ray holding the measuring rod would instruct the machine operator the level required of the ground at a specific points. Howell gave his services completely free of charge.
NEW CHANGING ROOMS
In the early sixties, with the ground having been levelled there was a need to provide dressing room‘s and showers at the ground. A firm at Abersychan was contacted who specialised in building sports facilities and within a few months, the club had acquired a brand new building on the ground with all mod cons.
The players who had been walking the length of the village to the Nissan Hut to bathe after matches, now had the absolute pleasure of showering after matches right on the ground.
FINANCE
During the first three years of the Club, it was decided to organise the need for a financial package and this took the form of a weekly "Tote". It was arranged to hold the draw on a Monday Night at 5 Valley View the home of Ray and Thelma Morgan, even to this day Ray cannot understand how his wife allowed hundreds of people to come into the house to bet on the Tote.
The finance was needed to cover such things as the Easter Tours to Southend Festival of Rugby and later Cornwall, plus the every day running of the Club. The first prize started out as £50 but this was later amended to £100 per week.
"WACKERS RANCH"
There was a need for the Club to hold social events but it didn't have a Social Club. This was resolved by a gesture of kindness by Mr. Tom Methuen, Proprietor of the Club which was situated opposite Wesley Terrace in the village of Trinant and in a big house at the end of Greenfield Terrace.
The Club asked if we could "adopt" Wackers Ranch" as the headquarters of Trinant Rugby Club and Mr. Tom Methuen, fondly known as "Wacker" agreed wholeheartedly to the request, and many good social evenings were held in the Club.
TRINANT SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB
Following the acquisition of the first 9 acres of ground to build the rugby ground, a further 6 acres of ground became available and it was decided to approach Webb's Brewery to purchase this piece of land for the provision of a large Sports & Social Club
A meeting of the Rugby Club took place and suggestions were made to build a Rugby Club for the benefit of members but an amendment was carried that the Club was to be built for social members as well as Rugby Members. It was just as well, as the licence could be transferred from "Wackers Ranch" to the site of the new Club. The Club took about 18 months to build and was opened on 14th February, 1962, with the Secretary installed as Mr. Gwyn Jones. It was quite a successful Club and the whole village supported it with vigour
In the sixties and seventies there was a monthly rugby magazine in Wales called “WELSH RUGBY”, in the August edition of 1973 an article appeared entitled;
RUGBY IN THE HILLS
Trinant Rugby Football Club
By FRED CROSTERThis is the article that appeared.
High in the hills of West Monmouthshire, enjoying scenery and views of the valleys which could well remind visitors of some of the most glamorous places in the world, is the small and in itself extremely attractive village of Trinant. You may never have heard of it. Rugby people in that part of the world certainly have, and far beyond. To reach it, turn off at Crumlin and just keep on going up. At the top, when the vista takes your breath away, you suddenly come upon this unique habitat of unique people. Don't misunderstand me. The place and the people are only unique because everything seems to revolve around that superb clubhouse and amenities, and it all belongs to them.
Yes, the whole 20-acres-plus and all that goes with it. Not the three brooks, running from the bridge of Monmouth which symbolises their attractive badge but with the enterprise they have even that, one day, wouldn't surprise me.
We talk of social centres. When I went there it was on a Monday evening and quite late. The village, one street and a pub ten years ago, has grown considerably but I only had to ask the first person I met, to be directed there with some amazement at the fact that I didn't already know where it was.
JUST USUAL
The spacious car park was nearly full, the palatial clubhouse was full. How many? I don't know but several hundreds could be an under-estimation.
"What is on? Something special?" "No boy. Just the usual Monday evening dance and cabaret".
The committee room seemed full, they were counting cash but that didn't take too long and I was soon at home. "A club like Trinant must have characters", I thought. I was right. There were plenty of them but none more so than Albert Clayton, a spritly 55 who had played, captained, been chairman for many years, is a vice-president, has done the lot, and there were Claytons galore in the club. Even the present skipper is one of the clan. Albert proved the ready, witty fount of information; Terry Exall, the former player, and present secretary Lyn Lloyd, all added their quota.
There was a Trinant R.F.C. way back in the early 1900'S. Not a lot is remembered of those days but Albert Clayton could go back himself in fresh memory for the past 40 years. Names of the past include Tom Sawyers, who was killed in the war; Roy Waybourne, the first of that remarkable family which produced Jack, Reg and Phil. Roy is a vice president now; Llew Jones and Bert Beckett. They played on the Pentwyn Field, had their H.Q. in the Pentwyn Inn and enjoyed good rugby football.
It was after the war that they really got going. On the same field but they lost the pub as their H.Q. They had no togs, scrounged clothing coupons, got enough and were away. But! Remember they are unique? No changing rooms, no accommodation at alI, so what did they do? The officials and players used their own homes. The normal pattern was for each player to take home his opposite number of the visiting team, to change, then bath and then feed. That's the sort of community spirit which exists in this unique place. The accommodation is now beyond compare but the spirit prevails.
"THE HUT"
The first captain was J. Holyfield, the secretary R. G. Morgans, Albert Clayton was there, of course, and here again is something for less enterprising clubs to ponder on. They heard of a Nissen Hut, way down the valIey, going for sale, cheap. They bought it, brought it back, laid foundations, erected it and did they use it. For changing, eating, Whist Drives, Bingo, the Tote, anything worthwhile for the club.
There was a ladies section immediately formed. They wanted to be in from the start and have been stalwarts ever since. That first ladies committee was: Pauline Smith, Harriet Williams, Mrs. Bert Beckett, Jacqueline Hardacre and Eileen Thomas, the mother of Ralph, former player and now coach to Tredegar, was their secretary.
It was at the time of "The Hut" that their most famous product had his first game for the club. Haydn Morgan was only a youngster but showed all the promise that was to bring him, Trinant, Abertillery and Wales' fame. He was selected to play against Newport Saracens.
He was wanted by the B.B.C. to be interviewed on T.V. At half time it meant that he had to leave. The side were 10 points up; they let him go. When the match ended, all went to the nearby Workmen's Club to see the programme and great was their delight when they saw "Haydn" make sure that all watching knew where he had been playing and whom against.
The club progressed but it was not easy. They had little help from outside bodies and Albert Clayton was moved to make that classical statement: "There was never a blade of grass to kick over without fear of prosecution".
Yes! They did have pitch difficulties. So much so that after just a few eventful years, with Albert, then G. Jones as enthusiastic captains, they had to cease activities. This was a blow but, as does happen when the right men are there, out of adversity does come salvation. This was the case with Trinant Sports Club R.F.C. to give the full title.
"The Hut", through their efforts, had made £600 cash. With the field taken they had to play all their games- away at Crumlin, then they got to hear of a small-holding, right in an ideal position being put up for sale by the council for £1,200. It consisted of a house and 6/7 acres. They had half. Mr. Hughes, Barclays Bank manager in Newbridge, said: "find guarantors". Albert, Dr.
Edwards and Howell Jenkins were three who came forward. There might have been one other.
"Can you cover the amount?"
"Yes".
"Where is it?"
"In the Post Office".
"Put it in the Bank and we'll talk".
This was all that they wanted.
AMBITION
The house and ground was bought. The house sold for £600, they amalgamated with the Workmen's Club to form the Trinant Sports and Social Club, the ground was levelled and the seeds were well and truly sown, in more ways than one.
They have never looked back since. In fact, they continue to look ahead and have since bought another two smallholdings to make their assets 26/27 acres - that's the total area of the Cardiff Arms Park and environments for comparison and the plans are ambitious indeed. Yes! This is a unique place!
In 1962 the present clubhouse was opened and what a place it is. Simply splendid down to the last detail with every amenity possible and the changing rooms and No. I pitch just one of their car parks away. Go there some time and enjoy it as I, the writer, did.
Back to the rugby. Haydn Morgan, of course, outstanding. Now settled for several years in Springs, near Johannesburg, as a successful motor trader, he still comes home and played in the Past v Present game just a couple of years ago. When he was selected for the Lions' Tour to New Zealand he took a Trinant R.F.C. badge to present to the first team to beat them. This was Otago and they proudly reciprocated by sending their flag back in return.
Other players of note: Don Wilkins, John Jenkins (who holds the points scored record), Lionel Beckett, Mike Rees, Dickie Todd, Phil Lloyd, most of whom went to Cross Keys, Abertillery or Newbridge. Perhaps it would be invidious to mention more. The club has been, and still is, full of talent but most of it stays today.
They have had few top officials. Not needed many. They all work together. Chairmen have been: Albert Clayton, John Beckett, Jack Watkins and now Lyn Lloyd. Secretaries: Roy Morgan and now Terry Exall, former player of course, aren't they all. Terry is a Mon. County R.U. contender. Treasurers have only been G. Jones who did so much in the beginning, Howell Jenkins and the duty is now combined with that of secretary.
Captains through the years have been, since the reformation: J. Smith, H. Davies, D. Davies, J. Beckett, J. Watkins, in a very good year when they won 22 of the 30 games played and all games on the Easter tour; then Lionel Beckett, with two captains, Mike Rees and M. Hopkins, the following season. That was when they played Newbridge, in their Welsh Championship year, and held them to a most honourable 5-6 narrow loss. That was a day to remember.
Mike Rees, what a great servant he has been - now in his eighteenth year as a player and going as strong as ever-became captain again, then Lionel Beckett, another remarkable clubman, with J. Watkins as chairman. He was followed by R. Weaver and the season this year started off on a good note when they met Abertillery who had all their stars out Alun Pask, Haydn Morgan and Allan Lewis, and were given a mighty tussle before they won.
1967/68 was the year when Haydn came back home to play in the Past v Present match and again stamp his grand personality on the occasion. He scored the winning try.
The Clayton family came back into the reigns that year with G. Clayton as an inspiring skipper. They had a good year, notable for their victory in the Monmouthshire Junior Union Seven-a-Side Tournament which is always so keenly contested. The winning must go down as a major achievement. To reach this goal they beat Cwm, Aberbeeg, Pontllanfraith, then Nantyglo in the final. It was a close thing - 6-3. Chairman Lyn Lloyd, skipper Mike Rees -and his team - Ron Davies, John Jenkins, Don Wilkins, Martin Clayton, Jim Leadbeater and Jeff Walker, held their heads justifiably high.Mike Rees continued to lead the next year with Lyn again chairman and, of course, Terry Exall as secretary. This was another good year with only six of the 29 matches lost and 373 points scored. Of these there were 76 tries, 21 penalties, 35 conversions and four drop goals. To this total John Jenkins contributed 141 points and Don Wilkins gained 17 tries. The average for each match was 12.9 points. Yes, they keep statistics. Then came another highlight in 1970/71 with Mike Clayton as captain and Lyn Lloyd again chairman. On 22nd April they met Blackwood Stars in the final of the Cyrus Davies Cup and were worthy winners by 8 points to nil. That was something to celebrate and celebrate they certainly did. The whole village was "En Fete". Mike's team must be noted. It was K. Davies, H. Lloyd, D. Wilkins, M. Clayton (capt.), P. Easley, John Jenkins, B. O'Riley, G. Clayton, L. Nash, H. Rees, G. Pritchard, J. Leadbeater, D. Woodward, M. Rees and J. Carpenter. They cannot enter now as W.R.U. members.
For the past two seasons G. Clayton has been a grand captain with John Jenkins then M. Clayton as deputies. Lyn Lloyd is still a youthful chairman, Jack Watkins vice-chairman, with Ralph Thomas succeeding John Jenkins as club coach.
In I970 they went to Torquay to take part in their invitation Sevens Tournament to beat Old Cranleighans and University College on the way to the final to then go down to a powerful Solihull seven. They were also finalists but not the winners of the Monmouthshire competition when Nantyglo had their revenge to beat them I3-11 in a tremendous final.
What is there ahead for this so enterprising club? They have achieved one ambition by being accepted into the Welsh Rugby Union. Still on probation but no worries on that score, surely.
Whom do they owe it all to? Many names have been mentioned. There are some others. Arthur England when the ground was being negotiated and "change of usage" was a term to understand; Russell Weaver, ex-captain and the local farmer. What a helper. They do everything themselves at Trinant. Ken Braddock who started with them as a local lad before Newbridge, Wales and, of course, the Police - now in Staffordshire - claimed him. Both he and Haydn played for Trinant when they had been picked to play for Wales; Geoff and Glyn Catley are others who reached the heights.
Then there are the families. Brothers who played in the same side at the same time: Ken, Joe and Jack Morrissey; "Digger", Ian, Jim and Ken Smith; Alec, Derek and Granville Pritchard (Gran., in the Welsh Guards, has been in their Army Cup winning side); the Claytons naturally. All of them. All the Rees', Jim, Mike, Haydn and Derek. Then the Hopkins', Terry, Pat and Mike. There may be even more. If so, forgive the omission.
The community here, high in the hills, is an essential part of the club. They run two teams. Skipper of the 2nds this year was P. Easley. They were all overjoyed when Shane Wallace gained his under-I5's soccer cap for Wales; he is one of them. Yes, they are a grand bunch.
I asked about finance. "We work hard to get what we need". To know the present officials a fixture card was wanted. Consternation briefly. If any of those present did not have one on him there was a 10p fine for the fund. They do anything for the cause.
The clubhouse programme is a full one. Something on every night of the week and always a packed house. It is worth going. No wonder Albert, Terry, Lyn and all the happy band are proud of what has been achieved and are so confident of the future.
OFFICERS, 1972-73
President - B. Holyfield.
Chairman - L. Lloyd.
Vice-Chairman - J. Watkins.
Secretary - T. Exall.
Asst. Secretary - P. Easley.
Committee Members - G. Lewis, L. Beckett, H. Rees,
D. Davies, G. Haines, J. Beckett, D. Rees, N. Lawrence,
M. Smith and G. Clayton.
Club Captain, 1st Team - G. Clayton.
Club Captain, 2nd Team - P. Easley.
Club Coach - Ralph Thomas.
Trainer and Ambulance Man - K. Johns.
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Over the years the club has been proud of its family connections from the brothers Roy, Jack, Reg & Phil Waybourne in the early years to Alan & Paul Jones who not only have played together this season as a set of brothers but have also taken to the field along with their sons Lee & Ryan. This feat is not uncommon in Trinant where over the years Father and Son who have taken the field together are : Phil Easley Snr & Jnr, John & Phil Jones, Robert & Scott Rees, Martin & Darren Smith & Gavin Rogers along with his two sons Adam & Dean.
From 1976 for 19 years a Youth side was run which proved to be very successful in producing players for the senior team, over thirty of these boys were able to have sufficient enough talent to represent the district region in which we played. One of our boy’s, Phil Easley Jnr. also went on to win a Welsh Youth Cap.
Paul Jones, Peter Thomas and Alan Watkins were players who represented the Monmouthshire Union whilst playing for Trinant.
After the second world war and up to league rugby in Wales, there was a system that consisted of the top 16 then 18 clubs. It was these clubs that provided the International players and played or combined with another club, to play against the major touring nations. The following are players who moved from Trinant to the then first class clubs of Welsh rugby.
Lionel Beckett Newbridge
Phil Easley Jnr. Ebbw Vale
John Jenkins Cross Keys
John Jones Cross Keys & Newbridge
Paul Jones Cross Keys
Hadyn Morgan Abertillery
Nicky Parfitt Newbridge
Robert Rees Ebbw Vale
Carl Thomas Ebbw Vale & Cross Keys
Peter Thomas Cross Keys, Pontypool & Newbridge
Ralph Thomas Tredegar
Alan Watkins Cross Keys & Abertillery
Don Wilkins Abertillery
The Cup Competition in the Monmouthshire District Junior Rugby Union in which we played, before gaining Welsh Rugby Union status, was the Cyrus Davies Cup and in 1971 we were successful in being the winners of this competition, the team and scorers that day in the final was :-
Full Back
Keith Davies, Three-quarters Haydn Lyons, Don Wilkins (Try), Martin Clayton (Capt.), Phil Easley,Half Backs, John Jenkins (Pen. & Con) & Bernard O’Riley, Back Row, Don Woodward, Michael Rees & John Carpenter.
Second Row, Chris Pritchard & Jim leadbeater, Front Row, Graham Clayton, Lyndon Nash & Haydn Rees.
Subs:- Michael Williams & Des Watkins.
The games played to win this cup were :-
28 September 1970 Beaufort (Away) Won 15 - 6
12 December 1970 Aberbeeg (Home) Won 11 - 3
Semi Final
20 February 1971 Pontllanfraith (Home) Drew 6 - 6
Replay Pontllanfraith (Away) Won 10 - 6
Final Blackwood Stars Won 8 - 0
In the summer of 1984 an explosion took place in the changing rooms when the hot water system blew up which completely demolished the premises, at the time the only thing that we could be grateful for, was that because it happened at about 10 O’clock one morning, that nobody was injured. The following season was spent changing in portable changing rooms in the car park of the club that were supplied by way of the insurance. During that season numerous plans were drawn up for new changing facilities which ranged from rebuilding on the old site to having an extension built onto the main club, although these plans were not to the extreme it was to proved that the insurance cover would not meet these requirements.
This resulted in a bit of “déjà vu” taking place, where as back in the fifties it was a nissen hut that was seen and purchased, this time it was an 800 square foot poultry shed that was seen advertised in the Western Mail somewhere near Bridgend for £500. A car load of committee men were quickly dispatched down the M 4 to view this timber building and with just one look each man was looking at one another with approving glances and nods of the head, so for the second time in 30 years a shed was to be purchased and converted into use as dressing rooms. A lorry was borrowed from a Vice President and a small workforce were dispatched to dismantle this shed and transfer to Trinant. It was quickly rebuilt on the site of the old changing rooms and with a new tin roof purchased from the steelworks in Ebbw Vale was to last for the next ten years.
As the Twentieth Century was drawing to a close another disaster was to strike the changing rooms, when in the early hours of Saturday January 24th 1998 they burnt down. Nathan Tovey who worked for the electric company SWALEC received a phone call from his employers at 6 O’Clock in the morning telling him that he had to go to Trinant Rugby Club to make the electrics safe as there had been a fire there, he was then asked did he know where this is. His reply was “I think so, I’m the Captain”. Our game that afternoon was at home against the Cardiff side Llandaff, the only way that this fixture could be fulfilled was to ring them and ask could we reverse the fixture and then borrow kit off them, this they agreed to with no hesitation.
Local business man and Vice President Paul Robinson came to the rescue regarding kit but the main problem was getting somewhere to change. We had about a month to rectify this problem as the International programme was about to start which meant that there would be no club games on International match days and what games we had in the next few weeks were away, this gave us a month to get something sorted out.
On the premises of the Sports and Social Club there was a brick building that had been in use as a “Betting Shop” unfortunately it was in a poor state of disrepair due to vandalism but on inspection it was seen that this building could be utilised and so it was. With the removal and rebuilding of a couple of internal walls, a new external doorway fitted, a complete rewire of the electrics and a few showers installed, two small changing rooms were ready for our first game a month after the fire. These small and cramped conditions had to suffice for the remainder of the season and also for the 1998-1999 season while the insurance claim on the old building was processed. Plans were drawn up to extend onto this building making it twice the size it was and during the close season work started, resulting in a brand new changing room being ready for the 1999-2000 season.
The new century opened with the club full of optimism for the future, we had brand new brick built dressing rooms, young players such as Jamie Lyons, Ryan Jones & Adam Rogers had joined the club gaining experience playing alongside the likes of old stalwarts Gavin Rogers, Scott Evans, Paul Jones, Alan Jones & Robert Rees.
This mixture of Youth and old coupled together with the experienced players that we had, who were in their mid twenties to early thirties, was to prove successful in us again winning promotion in the 2003-04 season when we were crowned Champions of Division 5 East. The only disappointment that season was that our league campaign was not 100% it read :- Played 22 Won 21 Lost 1. The game which was lost was away to Nantyglo, when leading by 9 points to 8 with only seconds remaining we gave away a penalty which was converted by the home side making the final score 11 - 9 in Nantyglo‘s favour.
We also achieved in 2003-04 one of our best season’s in Cup competitions, in the 2nd round of the Welsh Cup we were drawn away to Penclawdd who were a Division 3 West side and with the score being 16 points each after 80 minutes scored the only try in extra time to come away victors by 21 points to 16. In the next round we only had to travel across the Ebbw Valley to Brynithel who were a Division 2 side. With us leading by the odd point deep into injury time, Brynithel mounted one last ditch attempt and were relieved to get a match winning try.
Also that season we played in the semi-final of the Ben Francis Cup, where we met Division 3 East side Blaina on neutral territory in Blackwood. This time it was us who were trailing as the game entered injury time by 14 - 13 when Blaina scored a try to increase their lead. Immediately from the restart we scored a try in the right hand corner through wing forward Jason Jones, Jamie Lyons conversion attempt hit the box shaped cross bar and rebounded the wrong way for us, making the final score Blaina 19 Trinant 18. The conversion attempt lead to a lot of discussion that night with both sets of supporters convinced that had the cross bar been of the round type the kick would have probably bounced over.
