Imagine hearing or reading about this draw for the first round of the WRU Cup.
Brecon v Llandovery, Bonymaen v Swansea, Ystalyfera v Aberavon, Bargoed v Cardiff, Cross Keys v Newport , Narberth v Carmarthen Quins
The buzz generated by the prospect of Bonymaen hosting Swansea, Ystalyfera welcoming Aberavon and Brecon entertaining close neighbours Llandovery would be felt throughout Wales and give back to the Cup the glamour and romance it once had.
The first rounds of the new SRC Cup involving the 10 clubs that make up the new league failed to bring in the crowds.
It was a question of the same old faces playing each other, with the general public voting with its feet by staying away from the game
In Llandovery, the visit of Cardiff – one of the greatest clubs in the history of the game – was expected to bring a good crowd but the lowest gate of the season was a huge disappointment to the club.
Chairman Peter Rees expressed the frustration of many inside the club that won the 2024 Cup and Premiership.
“We continue to win games and have played some great rugby, so it was disappointing that the attendance at the game was low.”
So what do we have to do to get more people to Cup games?
One group of former Drovers came up with an answer, feeling that the thin crowd was a result of the WRU Cup no longer having the romance and excitement of former days.
Former front line players such as Geraint Williams and Dai Thomas played for Llandovery when the WRU Cup was open to all the clubs in Wales and recall the excitement of the many David v Goliath clashes.
“When as a West Wales section B side we faced first class Pontypridd in the Cup back in 1984,a huge crowd turned out to support us” recalls prop Dai Thomas.
“There were TV cameras at the game, the referee was Clive Norling, the crowd was three deep and the atmosphere electric “ recalls the captain of the day, centre Geraint Williams.
“We won 21-6 and we all remember it as it was yesterday!”
The Llandovery win was not as momentous perhaps as Penclawdd’s 4-0 win over Newport in 1980 or Third Division St Peter’s astonishing 16-14 defeat of Cardiff in 1993 but it remains a game that is still constantly talked about in the bars and inns of Llandovery.
A return to a more open competition would bring the glamour of that Cup back into the minds of the Welsh public and – by extension – draw in the crowds.
It is unreasonable to suggest that Gwernyfed be pitted against Llandovery or Ystradgynlais play Swansea , such has the physical and tactical preparation of semi-pro clubs created too large a gap.
But many of the present Premiership and Championship sides have very experienced players in the squad and, drawn at home, would certainly challenge the pre-eminence of their semi-pro visitors
The 10 SRC clubs, 13 Premiership clubs and the 26 sides from Championship East and West all put into the hat might throw up some mouth watering clashes, particularly if, in the opening round, the SRC clubs were forced to play away from home.
Four figure crowds would be virtually guaranteed, much to the delight of club supporters, sponsors and – club treasurers – and the Cup excitement that has long since disappeared, rekindled across the land.
