Our History

The Eighties - Further Progress

Monmouth followed up their tour to Germany, by visiting Ashford at Easter 1980.  Monmouth played Ashford on the Saturday.  Ashford proved good hosts and arranged a trip to Boulogne to make up for a cancelled fixture on the Sunday.  On the Monday, Monmouth played Betteshanger, a colliery village.  Most of the host team could boast that their relatives had moved to the area from the Monmouthshire valleys to work in the local pits.  They were very good hosts and the team struggled to get away at the scheduled time.  As a result, to break up the journey the touring party ended up spending a night in a Windsor pub, opposite the castle.

Although the playing record of the senior sides in the 70’s had not been very impressive, it did not mean that Monmouth was not producing accomplished rugby players.  However, there were individuals connected with the club who were to enjoy notable achievements.  Nigel Bezani, who had played for the youth team, went on to become the very successful and popular captain of Pontypridd.  Pontypridd won the SWALEC Cup under Nigel’s leadership in 1996.  Nigel also represented Crawshay’s on several occasions.

Paul Roberts and Andrew Hunter achieved Wales Under 15‘s caps in 1977/78.  Andrew, an accomplished prop forward, went on to play for the 1st XV, Welsh Guards (when they won the Army Cup) Ebbw Vale, Tredegar and Pontypool.  Unfortunately, injury curtailed his promising rugby career.

In 1979, Nigel Morris, Tommy Aleander and Dave Fuszard (who had captained Monmouth in 1976/77) joined Abertillery who were a first-class team with a very proud history.  In 1979 Martin Davies joined Abertillery.  Martin Davies who was the son of Bernard Davies, who played for Monmouth and was Chairman of the club in 1973/75.  Although living near Hereford, Martin was to continue the family link with Monmouth following his father’s footsteps and his uncle, Eric Meredith. Martin had gone to school in Hereford and represented Herefordshire Schools.  Whilst still in school he played in Richie Wills side in the early seventies playing for the 1sts, 2nds, and 3rds.  Martin played for his college 1st XV and Staffordshire Under 23.  He was selected for the English Colleges and British Colleges.  After leaving college, Martin played for Walsall and Moseley, who had many English cops in their ranks.

Fortunately for Monmouth, all four players, mentioned above, returned from Abertillery in the early  80’s.  Club captain 1980/81 was Byron Hapgood who was to make a great contribution during the next 43 years!  Martin Davies had returned to the club and was club captain during the successful 1981/82 season when Monmouth won the Monmouthshire Union Second Division.  In the league Monmouth played 10 matches, winning 8, with 1 draw and 1 loss.  Scoring 176 points and conceding only 56.  In the league Monmouth played Ynysddu, Blaenau Gwent, Gwent College, Trinant and Usk. Monmouth were able to play numerous ‘friendlies’ as well which included among others, Tredworth, Chepstow (won 16-9), Blaenavon (won 6-3) and narrow defeats against Blackwood and Newport Saracens.  In total 38 players turned out for the 1ST XV during the season.  The playing record for the season was the best for several years; P29, W18, D2, L9, PtS FOR 357, Agst 209 with an average 65.52%. 

Most appearances during the season were: George Edwards 27*, Len Morgan 27*, Kevin Nicholls 26*, Chris Barter 26* (who was also awarded as Player of the Year), Alan Pritchard 26* (* denote awarded club colours), Peter Glattback 24 and Andy Griffiths 24. 

The top scorer during the season was Andrew Watkins who had played for Monmouth Comprehensive and Gwent Schools.  Andrew scored 113 pts comprising of 1 try, 17 conversions, 23 penalties and 2 drop goals.  Kevin Nicholls scored 56 points, Nigel Morris 37 and Tom Alexander 23 points.  The Druids were captained by Roger Morgan. (1980’s…to be continued).