Double celebration for Glynneath

Glynneath carried off the SWALEC Division 1 West title after winning all but one of the 20 league games that they’ve played this season. Their unblemished record was only scuppered by a 10-10 draw against Crymych at the start of the season.
 
The win emphasises the rise in fortunes for the club who were playing in the Division 4 South West league at the beginning of the 2007 season.
 
One who is thrilled with the team’s progress is its well-known Club President.
 
Max Boyce said: “It’s been a remarkable season and we couldn’t have celebrated our 125 years in a better way. This has been arguably our greatest season since the Halcyon days of the 1961-62 Invincibles. It has been heart-warming to see the whole town get behind the team at home and away matches. I don’t think I’ve been prouder of our team than I am today.”
 
Glynneath Club Captain Craig Moses added: “This is a huge achievement for the club and for all involved. On a personal note it’s an incredible honour during my first season as club captain having been involved with Glynneath RFC for most of my life. We’ve got an exciting group of players developing and a lot of our younger players have made an impression with the Ospreys Academy so the future’s looking good.”
 
Mike Lewis, who coaches the title-winning side alongside David Puckett, said: “It’s been a tough league and every side have given us a challenge. Perhaps what has given us that extra push is the belief of the players, the belief to want to play at a higher level and a belief in our abilities. We’ve trained hard all year and our sessions have been good. I think we’ve progressed and got better as the season has gone on. Next season will be a massive challenge for a village like Glynneath but with the attitude of these young boys and a bit of luck hopefully we can push forward.”
 
WRU Board Member Geraint Edwards said: “To go through the season unbeaten in what is a very tough league is an incredible achievement. Glynneath are a young side and a good footballing side which makes it undoubtedly hard for the opposition. They’ve invested in youth and mostly home-grown players and they’ve been rewarded.”