Pontycymer Rugby Club 125 years

LLANGEINOR A.F.C 6 PONTYCYMER R.F.C. 7
Now in its tenth year the annual Boxing Day Jimmy Walker memorial match between Pontycymer Rugby Club and Llangeinor Football Club proved to be another Christmas-cracker on a pudding like pitch.

The game is played in memory of Jimmy Walker-Halstead, who became a Llangeinor Football Club stalwart not only on the field but off the field as well and for many years was involved in the day to day running of the club but before he turned to football Jimmy in his teenage years turned out for Pontycymer Rugby.

The two clubs have a very good relationship with one another over the decades due to the fact the two side's played side by side at Llangeinor park up until 1967, the pitches ran parallel to each other in an east to west direction, when Llangeinor swimming pool was built, an access road to the pool meant a large part of the playing area of the football pitch had to be used, so in 1967 the council built Lawrence Park which to this day is the home of Pontycymer Rugby, it was officially opened in early September of that year, a huge crowd watched a Garw Valley XV take on a very strong Glamorgan County XV and the football field in Llangeinor was turned around after a couple of years to the position it is now(north/south).

This year the football boys were looking for revenge due to the fact the last time the two sides met it was the rugby boys who came out on top winning 3-1Pontys goals that day came from Billy bishop Rhys Hawkins and Dave Upton, while Llangeinors goal was scored by Steve Fedz.

It looked like the home side was in full control this year as they lead 4-3 at the half time interval but an outstanding second half display saw Pontycymer take the spoils,
Pontycymers magnificent seven goals came from Nicky Harris(2), Lee Smith, Leon Roberts, Alun Davies, Mike Thomas and burly centre forward Dave Upton. While the homesides goals were netted by Lloyd Tucker, Lee Abraham, Paul Woods, Michael Evans, Geraint Halstead and captain Brian Taylor. Big games from the Lawrence park outfit came from mid-field maestro Peter Lacey, Tudor Hughes and goalkeeper Lee Wager.

Pontycymer RFC media officer Deri Lloyd said "Over the past ten years the Jimmy Walker memorial match has forged friendships between the clubs and it has rapidly become the highlight for many over the yuletide period with large crowds braving the cold weather to enjoy the boxing day fixture and this year was no different with a real nail biting finish to a thrilling match".