Today we welcome the famous ‘All-Whites’ of Swansea RFC, who have a great history and indeed, they are the club that our captain Joe Tomalin-Reeves first played for.
A well-known Wales international forward once said that Justin Tipuric was the most famous of Swansea players. Well, he never played for Swansea, but certainly the likes of Trew, Bancroft (x2), Owen, Davey, ‘Stoker’ Williams, Dewi Bebb, Clem Thomas, Scott Gibbs and even our former coach Kevin Hopkins did play.
Welcome today to my friend Dave Dow, who is producing the early history of Swansea rugby and will no doubt be taking photographs of this game.
Also, a welcome to our former player, Liam Popham, who is still remembered here by players and supporters.
I think everyone was happy with last week’s win over Llanelli, especially a great performance by the pack, while Swansea went down at Llandovery.
Sadly, we probably will have another minute’s silence before the game as you no doubt will know of the passing of our great lock forward Max Wiltshire. Max was a tough nut at the front of the line-out and with his great friend, the late Billy Mainwaring in the middle if it.
Also, I hear of the death of Billy Pascoe’s wife Betty. Billy was a fine rugby player and their son Colin was capped at football from Swansea City.
Our condolences go both the Wiltshire and Pascoe families.
I wish the injured Joe Tomailin-Reeves, David Pritchard, Jay Baker, Will Price and Sam Williams well for their recoveries and I must also mention today’s referee, Dewi Phillips, good luck for this afternoon.
Dewi’s father, the Reverend Eldon Phillips, is a friend of mine and a great entertainer, even though he supports the Scarlets!!