From the Eighties on to the Nineties
The match against Monmouthshire was the beginning of a good 1984 /85 season for Monmouth. Malcolm Childs coached the side which saw the team runners up in the Mon Union Division 2. In the league Monmouth played Blaenavon, Cwmbran, Oakdale (the winners of the division who Monmouth beat at home), Caldicot, Croesyceiliog, Tredegar Ironsides and Rhymney (who Monmouth beat away from home in a real thriller).
Among the team members that season were Dave Price, Alan Pritchard, Wayne Meredith, Peter Glattback, Cedric Steele, Andrew Emery, Chris Ball, Andrew Watkins, Russell Pritchard (cpt 86/87) and Bob Prewett (cpt82/84 and 85/86). Bob remained very involved with the club and is still a committee member. His service to the club was recognised by him being awarded a Life Membership. Other members were, Vic Jones, Tim Morris, Andy Pook, Roger Hoggins, Phil Parker (cpt 87/88), and Lennie Morgan. The team was captained by Byron Hapgood who served his third year as captain. Byron’s contributions went beyond the rugby pitch. He played a leading part in the Lounge development 1983/4 and the new function room development in 1998. He became chairman of the club 1999/2003 and secretary in 2016/18. In appreciation of his efforts, he was made a Life Member in 2016. After 50 years involvement he continues to serve the club, now as President of Monmouth Rugby club.
Monmouth Youth had played hosts to East Kilbride Youth and, as a result, the 1st XV were invited to play in Scotland on the eve of the Scotland v Wales match in 1985. The touring party gathered at 7.30pm at the clubhouse, eventually leaving by midnight. The coach was well stocked with liquid refreshments for the long journey. There were to be no stops, but a rubber hose and funnel strategically placed would meet the needs of the travellers! A hearty breakfast was waiting for them upon arrival and the bar was opened. The frozen pitch thawed and Monmouth won. The solitary try was scored by George Edwards a prop who was to be awarded a Monmouthshire Union Cap. Wales lost to Scotland and the Monmouth contingent, a mixture of young and old had to make the long journey home on the Sunday. The coach they travelled in was not the most luxurious. They decided to stop at Ecclefechan. Treasurer, Eric Meredith and President, Ray Bobbett, persuaded the reluctant landlord to open up for the ‘Monmouth Church Choir’. The landlord was all smiles when the Monmouth party left at stop tap (2 o’clock). The bus made slow progress and the club President urged the driver to put his foot down as a boy on a pushbike was overtaking him!! East Kilbride came to Monmouth the following season, and Monmouth visited East Kilbride in 1987. Although, that was the last official trip, several members of the Monmouth club made East Kilbride a calling point on their way to Murrayfield. Alas, many of the club pre-international fixtures have lapsed, but fortunately, some of the friendships still endure.
Two youngsters, Mike Boycott and Jim Ridley, who played in ‘85 in East Kilbride were to enjoy successful rugby careers. Jim Ridley, a second row, went on from the Monmouth club in 1989 to play for Cross Keys. Jim played for Cross keys until 1994 before joining Pontypool (1994/95) and has fond memories of playing for Pontypool with Sam Haile and Mark ‘Jock’ Jones when they defeated Llanelli on two occasions. Jim retuned to Monmouth in 1995 and has served on the committee and is a regular at matches. Jim also played for the Gwent, Welsh and British Police. In 1993 he played for Monmouthshire County. Mike Boycott, also, became a policeman and represented Gwent (which he also captained), Welsh and British Police, adding to his representative honour of playing for the Welsh Secondary Schools. Mike became a regular in the Ebbw Vale side and played in well over 200 matches for the club. Several members of the Youth team in the early 80’s were to go on to represent the 1st XV: Colin Thomas, Julian Powell, Mark Jones, Kevin Pask, Rob Frost, Dave Elias, Nigel Lewis, Nigel Dawson and John Powell. This is the last account of the season.
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