Two weeks after the disappointment of seeing her club lose at the Millennium Stadium to Ystrad Rhondda in the SSE SWALEC Plate final she watched in awe as Emlyn crushed Bonymaen 50-20 at Carmarthen to earn their ticket to the highest grade of rugby the club will ever have been during their 38 years next season.
It meant the President was able to go out on a high after 12 years in charge of one of the great new feeder clubs in the Welsh rugby pyramid system – and had seven tries about which to eulogise in her speech at the club dinner later on Saturday night.
To add to her feelings of pride, while she was watching her side run the Division 1 West Central champions off their feet, two products of the club, Gareth Davies and Scott Williams, were helping the Scarlets to hold onto their Champions Cup status in Treviso.
“What a season it has been. We won the Division 1 West title, went to a final at the Millennium Stadium and now we’ve won promotion into the Championship. What a way for me to go out as club President,” said Evans.
Now the club that was founded in 1977 can look forward to games against giants of the past in Swansea, Pontypool and Newbridge next season. That could never have happened when they were first formed, unless they paid for the privilege.
Wings Llyr Jones (2) and Don Davies got on the score sheet and other tries were provided by Steffan Evans, back row men Brynmor Jones and Owain Powell, and Shaun Leonard. Leonard also kicked six conversion for a match tally of 17 points.
Bonymaen scored three tries of their own, from Rhys Leonard, Kyle and Conor Salter, but were never really in contention. They trailed 21-8 at the break and will remain in their division next season.
Joining Newcastle Emlyn in the Championship will be Beddau, who beat Penallta 22-13 at Taffs Well. The defeat completed a thoroughly miserable few weeks for Penallta, who had won the Division 1 East title at a canter.
This was their 33rd game of the season and only their third defeat. Unfortunately, two of those defeats came in crucial games – in the Plate semi-final against Newcastle Emlyn and in the play-off game against Beddau.
“It hasn’t been a bad season and now we’ve got to pick ourselves up for next week’s Silver Ball final against Ystrad Rhondda, who beat Newcastle Emlyn in the Plate Final at the Millennium Stadium,” said club secretary Wayne Jones.
“Our Youth team also lost in a semi-final as well, but it’s not all doom and gloom. We brought eight of our youth players into the team this year and more will follow next season.
“Our No 8, Jack Condy, scored a try for us and he has just signed a contract with the Scarlets for next season. We’re here to develop players for the regions and we’ll continue to try to do that.”
Victory means an immediate return to the Championship for Beddau, who had tries from Cobi Flowers, Tom Marley as well as a penalty try to add to five points from the boot of Callum Wheeler to thank for their triumph.
They will join Newcastle Emlyn in replacing relegated Tondu and Blackwood in the Championship next season.
