A RUGBY club that was forced to drop out of the league three years ago is struggling with an injury crisis in the early stages of the new season.
Crickhowell RFC have been forced to postpone several fixtures during October and September but are confident of a return to the field soon. Despite the current rash of injuries, the club is confident it has the structures in place to thrive and attract players.
Chairman Steve Carrington said: “We have the supporters, sponsors, committee and facilities to succeed whilst on the pitch we have some of the most talented young players in the area. We are only a couple of players away from meeting last season’s achievements which saw the club beating the top teams in the leagues and playing some great rugby.”
Crick’ had been forced to drop out of the WRU National Leagues at the start of the 2015 season but have re-established themselves over the past three years even winning the Ivor Jones Cup, contested by teams from Gwent and the surrounding area, in 2017. But the club, which now competes in Division Three East C, is appealing for more players to join its side as it looks to strengthen its squad that has already showed encouraging signs this season.
The team took West Mon and Trinant close at the start the season before putting out a weakened side for a loss against Newport Saracens. The current squad is suffering with nine players injured which reduced the core of players to a point where its game against Pontllanfraith had to be postponed.
Crickhowell won’t see action again until this Saturday (October 27) when they expect a number of players to return to fitness for their away fixture at Crumlin.
The club had another week to get their players fit after they were due to play Tredegar last Saturday. But the famous club, which was once of the most feared in Welsh rugby and just 30 years ago would compete with the country’s top sides, has been unable to play so far this season.
The Gwent valleys club is locked in a dispute with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) over a disputed £40,000 loan and an insurance wrangle means the club cannot take the field. That means another free Saturday for Crickhowell but the club is hopeful it can get its season back on track when it returns to action at Crumlin.
Long term the future of the club is also looking healthier as it has restarted its under 8s and under 9s teams and has an active committee supported by committed volunteers.
New floodlights have also been installed at its Parc Broyd home and the club has an on site physio and a pair of coaches that promote an expansive attacking game of rugby, and sees itself as the perfect place for any new players that wish to play exciting rugby.
Crick coach Gareth Bowen said while he thinks the WRU needs to address a number of structural issues with the community game the best thing individuals can do is get involved with their local club.
The former Crickhowell centre, who also played for Brecon RFC, said new faces are more than welcome at Parc Broyd. He said: “We have a fantastic core of players who work hard week in, week out, but the frustrations we are going through are an all-too-common problem in a rugby society where money is king.
“The rotation of players from club to club in a bursting league structure is something that definitely needs to be addressed. You have teams having to drop leagues to survive and club-destroying point deductions for already struggling clubs that just hit the final nail in the coffin.
“We are a club with an amazing community around it and a huge number of passionate volunteers which would support the growth of any player of any ability. So don’t question whether rugby is a sport for you, question why you haven’t started playing rugby.”
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For anyone interested in playing the club trains every Thursday, 7pm at Parc Broyd in Crickhowell. The junior teams are also still recruiting players and volunteers, for more details, contact the club on [email protected].