C.I.A.C. RFC

The following articles was published in the South Wales Echo on 14th February.....

[b]International jet set found fame playing Rugby League[/b]
Which Cardiff-based club lost at least a dozen players to Rugby League and yet appeared in four Worthington Cup finals, won the Mallett Cup 12 times and the Ninian Stuart Cup on five occasions?
They have answered to the name of Cardiff International Athletic Club (CIAC), who were formed in 1946 by a group of young men living in the Docks area of South Cardiff.
Particularly in the 40s and 50s, they played superb rugby, delighting crowds on parks pitches such as Currans, The Marl and Guest Keen’s on Sloper Road, with exciting rugby.
But, Rugby League had been watching since the pre-War days when the great Gus Risman had gone to South Church Street School, just off Bute Street.
They came back to take Billy Boston, Johnny Freeman, Colin Dixon and David Willicombe as youngsters to immediate success with Great Britain’s Rugby League side.
Among others who went were Marcus Bernard, Derek Green, Mike Marshall, Terry Michael, Les Olsen and Herbie (Bert) Boston, while Billy Douglas, Fred Campbell and Phil Delgardo played for Cardiff RL down Penarth Road by the Tollgate in the early 50s.
It was astonishing that the CIAC’s had to wait until 1963 before winning the Mallett Cup for the first time.
Indeed, it showed just how strong the competition was and it was 70 years old before they gained it to the delight of so many Cardiffians.
Their first big title had come in 1954 winning the Ninian Stuart Cup and on many occasions, club members had played for Cardiff & District in their annual match against Cardiff. Vernon Hoskins and his brothers were among the many splendid club players.
The Worthington (then Welsh Brewers) Cup began in 1974, and in 1977 the CIAC’s won it, beating Cross Keys United 16-3 at the National Ground.
The magnificent Jim Corsi led the side at lock. Wales Youth cap Martyn Hodgkinson and the rugged Tommy Foley were at half-back and Chris Stanton was a tower of strength at wing.
In the pack, Peter John was a fixture at loose-head with flankers Phil John and Derek Carpin tireless. They won it again in 1987, beating a strong Hartridge side 26-3 led by the powerful Hughie Smith and with Corsi and Hodgkinson still outstanding.
Hughie’s brother, Carl, played in the Cardiff and Pontypridd packs with great success, but somehow never won a full Wales cap.
John Leonard (1987) and Gary Ward (1989) won Wales Districts caps; Billy Boston, Vernon Maynard and Mike Marshall were also Youth caps, but senior caps at the union code were always to elude the club that everyone enjoyed watching.