Our History

The first recorded game of rugby played in Burry Port was on the 11th Dec, 1880 between a Burry Port side and Llanelli juniors reported by the Llanelli and County Guardian on 16th Dec, 1880.

 

In the early days the reporting of matches was rare, there were several teams in Burry Port in the early years with the Butchers Arms being the first recorded headquarters in 1885 followed by the Engine Inn in 1887. By 1890 the game became better organised and in the season of 1890-91 the statistics for Burry Port were:

                                               P.16  W.10  D.3  L.3

Then during the 1891-92 season statistics were:

                                                P.17  W.14  D.2  L.1

as part of the llanelli league. By the mid 1890s things had gone down hill and unfortunately they had to withdraw from the league. However, by 1910 they found themselves back into the league also fielding a 2nd XV in Division 2. Over the years there has been several teams in Burry Port such as Harriers, Maritime, Scarlets and Lillywhites with 2nd XVs called the Moonlights and Starlights but the first mention of the “All Blacks” was in 1926 as the  Ashburnham Tinplate Works team were a very successful side winning the Llanelli & District league championship in 1927-28 and 1928-29. The statistics for the 1927-28 season were:

                       P.33  W.30  D.2  L.1 Points for: 539 Against: 65.

By 1930 the blacks were the only team left in Burry Port and had a very successfull period seeing

Howard Davies play for Swansea and Griff Bevan for Llanelli. In 1939, on the brink of WWII Howard Davies gained his first cap for Wales, but for the war he would no doubt have gained many more. He was however back playing for Llanelli in 1946 alongside Griff Bevan and they were then both capped for Wales. Howard Davies being only one of 4 players to be capped before and after WWII.The club mourned the loss of a number of former players Vernon  Edwards, Charles Owen ,Ron Cant, Lutterell Morris , D.O.Davies, Will Williamson and Les Williams to WWII.

 

Following WWII Burry Port RFC became members of the Welsh Rugby Union also seeing the opening of the Memorial Park Ground. We then became members of the West Wales Rugby Union in 1951 with the first post war youth team in 1953-54 captained by Marlston Morgan a welsh trialist, Neath and Llanelli player of the future.1962 saw the start of the building of the clubhouse and was finished for the start of the 1964-5 season built by committee members,players and supporters with labour and time given for free.The 70s were another successfull era for the blacks with T.Geoff Evans a former player being selected for the successfull 1971 Lions tour of New Zealand. The1974-75 Season saw the blacks win section A of the West Wales league followed in 1976-77 as finalists of the West Wales Cup also Gwendraeth Valley Cup winners in 1972-73 &1974-7 and District G 7s winners in 1976-77 & 1978-79. Burry Port boy Hefin Jenkins was capped at every wales age group and level except senior but was then a substitute alongside Chris Charles on several occasions. In the Welsh Cup of 1977 Burry Port drew with Swansea at full time only to loose in extra time, Swansea going on to win the cup.1980-81 saw Burry Port RFC celebrate their centenary, celebrations included a relay of 4 teams running from Rugby School, Warwickshire to Burry Port in 20hrs 2mins 2sec non stop carrying a rugby ball, Centenary season capt Barrie King starting the run.

 

The extensions on the Club House continued with the building of the lounge by the members in 1988.The 90s were a lean period as the club came to terms with the professional game and the new league structure. The new millenium saw us in the lower leagues but with some success having won Division 5 West twice and Division 6 West only loosing one game . At present the 1st XV are in Division 3 A West of the new league structure . There is a strong junior section with every age group from minis to our youth with several boys going on to the scarlets acadamy and recieving regional contracts. Kirby Myhill having gone on to captain Wales Under 20s in the J.W.C with a win over the New Zealand Junior Blacks.

 

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