Scandalous storm clouds are gathering over the union game but for the committee of the Mid-Rhondda Athletic Grounds a silver lining will soon follow. Allegations of professionalism involving Aberdare and Treorchy see Welsh international Dai 'Tarw' Jones, member of the victorious Welsh team that beat the All Blacks in 1905, become the most high profile casualty. Refusing to give evidence to the WRU he, and several others, are permanently banned from the amateur game. Merthyr Alexandria escape with just a warning because they have already indicated they are about to leave the Union and embrace the Northern Union code. Suspending their players would only encourage them to defect to the Northern Union which is now perceived as a very real threat.
An interesting development has seen a
disillusioned Ebbw Vale already switch codes citing, “. . .bogus amateurism
in the Monmouthshire League." They
are swiftly joined by the newly formed Merthyr RLFC. In their first season
(1907-08) in the Northern League Merthyr finish 23rd and Ebbw Vale
26th out of 27. Banished from Union Dai ‘Tarw’ Jones is recruited by
Merthyr. On 1st January 1908 he is selected to play for the newly
formed Wales Northern Union team against New Zealand at the Athletic Ground in
Aberdare. Dai becomes the second dual code international following in the
footsteps of “the Lion of Salford”, the former Penygraig forward Jack Rhapps.
It is New Year’s Day on a near frozen
pitch and the test against the New Zealand All Golds is a tight and tense
affair. At half time New Zealand lead 8-3. Wales fight back hard in the second
half and with time running out the crowd of 20,000 are sent into raptures when Dai
scores what must be the winning try. New Zealand however have one last chance
to salvage the game. With the line at his mercy Dick Wynard drops a pass and a
try goes begging. Shades of 1905. Dai ‘Tarw’ Jones has become the scourge of
New Zealand in both codes. Black or Gold it’s all the same to Dai. To this day
he remains the only Welsh rugby international to have been on a winning Welsh
side against New Zealand in both codes.
Buoyed by the commercial success of the
encounter the Northern Union look to another area they consider sympathetic towards
the professional game. The new Mid Rhondda Athletic Ground is viewed as the
perfect venue to host the first ever encounter between Wales and England under
Northern Union rules. For the Mid Rhondda Athletic Ground committee, it must feel
like manna from heaven. The opportunity to ensure a sound financial future for
the ground appears to have dropped into their lap. They eagerly embrace the
opportunity. The treatment meted out to Rhondda clubs, and Dai ‘Tarw’ Jones in
particular, following the ‘professionalism’ scandal has soured Rhondda clubs’
relationship with the WRU. Reporting on the build up to the big game the
Rhondda Leader suggest:
“Great
interest is being evinced in the forthcoming international (Northern Union)
football match between England and Wales which will be played on the above
grounds (Mid Rhondda Athletic Ground) on Easter Monday next. This is the first
match under Northern Union rules to be played in the Rhondda Valley, and no
doubt will influence to a great extent the action of certain people who have a
leaning towards professionalism.
In
Treherbert, it is stated, a syndicate has already been formed to run a
professional team, and it is anticipated that a few matches will take place
during the present month; whilst rumour is busy with other clubs in the Valley.
If professionalism gets a foothold in the Rhondda the Welsh Union will have no
one to blame but themselves, as the Rhondda has been practically neglected by
the Union for many years.”
![]() |
The Mid Rhondda Athletic Ground 1973 before the Stand was demolished. (Picture copyright Keith Jones) |
The Mid Rhondda
Athletic Ground committee enthusiastically set about preparing for the
anticipated huge crowd that will attend the game, sparing no expense to ensure
the day is a success. Such is the level of interest railway companies schedule
special excursion trains from all parts of South Wales. The presence of Dai
‘Tarw’ Jones in the Welsh line up is of itself a massive attraction. Dai is not
just a local but a national hero.
The day arrives. Before kick-off an informal meeting takes place between Northern Union officials and representatives of Welsh, or soon to be Welsh clubs, who have indicated a desire to become involved in the professional game. The Rhondda Leader reports Mr. Platt, the general secretary of the Northern Union, as declaring that provided suitable grounds could be obtained teams would be formed at Penygraig, Treherbert, Maesteg, Pontypridd and very probably Pontypool. There is the distinct possibility that the Welsh Rugby Union is about to face a challenge from the Northern Union in its own back yard. This could prove to be a seminal moment for the game of rugby in Wales. On 20th April an estimated crowd of 12,000 watch the game which Wales win 36 - 18.
The day arrives. Before kick-off an informal meeting takes place between Northern Union officials and representatives of Welsh, or soon to be Welsh clubs, who have indicated a desire to become involved in the professional game. The Rhondda Leader reports Mr. Platt, the general secretary of the Northern Union, as declaring that provided suitable grounds could be obtained teams would be formed at Penygraig, Treherbert, Maesteg, Pontypridd and very probably Pontypool. There is the distinct possibility that the Welsh Rugby Union is about to face a challenge from the Northern Union in its own back yard. This could prove to be a seminal moment for the game of rugby in Wales. On 20th April an estimated crowd of 12,000 watch the game which Wales win 36 - 18.


“The committee have engaged at great
expense Mr. Victor Swanton of Pontypool, the great Welsh aeronaut, who will
make a grand balloon ascent and parachute descent on both days of the sports. A
very large crowd is anticipated to witness this unique event. Mr. Swanton will
be on the grounds on Friday afternoon next, when he will make preparations for
his ballooning operations. . . On the Whit-Monday, a grand street carnival will
start from near Trinity Chapel at 12 noon, headed by the Dinas Silver Band,
which will be in attendance during the sports.”
Mr Swanton’s much anticipated balloon
ascent does not go to plan. Instead of witnessing a unique event the spectators
are called to the intrepid aeronaut’s aid as the balloon veers sideways instead
of upwards. Sweeping towards the south-west it strikes the high fencing on the
steep banking and the violent impact dashes Swanton against the sides. Some of
the crowd rush forward and catch the guide ropes bringing the balloon to the
middle of the field where the shaken and embarrassed aeronaut clambers out. It
was decided not to make another ascent that evening. In retrospect, the balloon
fiasco foreshadows the fortunes of the newly formed Mid-Rhondda Northern Club.
If you believe the 'Mid' should remain a community resource and not be considered for housing development please sign the petition to show your support.
If you believe the 'Mid' should remain a community resource and not be considered for housing development please sign the petition to show your support.
![]() |
The 'Mid' is left of centre. |
No comments:
Post a Comment