Veteran Rugby Players Still Going Strong

While scrum half David Bishop is the oldest of these at 42 years three months and is still scoring for Old Illtydians in Division Five, Douglas is just two months younger and is appearing for Lampeter in Division Five West.

“And I’m still insurable,” laughed Douglas, who won his three caps in 1984 whilst playing Llanelli. “I’m stress free and at this level I can still survive. If another good scrum half comes into the club I will gladly step down with my brother Carl for the seconds.

“I was only a teenager when I appeared for the Scarlets against New Zealand and my partner was Phil Bennett, whose fitness and skill levels were always top-class. He was the best player ever played with and Terry Holmes and Dai Bishop were great opponents.

“Last season I helped organise a charity match for three people severely injured in this area. We raised £27,000 and many former stars turned out. It would be a good idea for us oldies to turn out more often.”

Fly half Gary Pearce is going strong as player and director of rugby at Hull, the city where he moved to in 1986 as a Rugby League player. His two sons are both into soccer with 23-years-old Ioan being a striker and part-time professional with Unibon One side North Ferraby and Jonathan, aged 16, already an attacking right back.

“It would marvellous if we could all get together and play a match in Wales for charity,” said Pearce. “I am fit and train and play regularly. I seem to have played all my life and was always used to playing every game in a season.

“When Llanelli or Bridgend rested me, I moaned that I did not want to miss out. Dai Bishop is the godfather of one of my sons and was a super player. There just must be some good cause that we all could play for.”

Another player going strong is Mike Griffiths, who propped with distinction for Cardiff, Pontypridd, Wales and the Lions. At the age of 40 years and ten months, he is now back home with Ystrad Rhondda in Division Three West.

The following former internationals – all over the age of 35 – have played senior rugby this season:

Full back – Jonathan Mason (Mountain Ash).

Wings – Richard Diplock (Cwmavon), Allan Bateman (Neath).

Centres – John Devereux (Pontypool), Roger Bidgood (Blackwood).

Fly halves – Gary Pearce (Hull).

Scrum halves – Mark Douglas (Lampeter), David Bishop (Old Illtydians).

Props – Mike Griffiths (Ystrad Rhondda), David Young (Cardiff).

Hookers – Kevin Phillips (Newcastle Emlyn), Garin Jenkins (Swansea).

Locks – Tony Copsey (London Welsh), Greg Prosser (Llantwit Fardre), Mark Rowley (Penygraig), John Wakeford (Cardiff HSOB).

Flankers – Glen George (Rhymney), Alan Reynolds (Narberth), Rowland Phillips (Neath).

No 8’s – Hemi Taylor (Glamorgan Wanderers), Mark Jones (Pontypool).

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