That completed the job for Emlyn, who now meet Bonymaen in the play-off for entry into the SSE SWAEC Championship next season. They need the bonus point win against Gorseinon to clinch the title, the five points matching Kidwelly’s 82 at the top of the table, but Emyln’s superior points difference making the difference between first and second in the end.
Having finished sixth in Division 2 West the previous season it was a real step up in quality for the club and a tribute to the fine work done by director of rugby Marc Lloyd and player-coach Arwel Davies.
Bonymaen supporters had two pieces of silverware to swoon over at the end of their league season as the players returned the SSE SWALEC Division 1 West Central title and the 2nd XV chipped in with the Swansea & District ‘A’ League crown.
A final day victory over closest rivals Skewen enabled them to end the season with 20 wins in 22 outings – and a 10 point cushion at the top. They now meet Newcastle Emlyn in a play-off for a place in the SWALEC Championship.
There was a third successive title for Gowerton as they ran away with the SSE SWALEC Division 2 West crown. IN the end they topped 100 tries for the third season in a row and made it 62 wins in 66 league games as they continued to climb through the divisions.
They were Division 5 West champions in 2013, Division 4 West champions in 2014 and now they have added the Division 2 West title to their bulging trophy cabinet. They scored 170 tries and scored 107 points with an undefeated season two years ago, bagged 158 tries and 100 points with 20 victories in 2013/14 and notched 93 points and scored 101 tries in taking the Division 2 West title by 12 points ahead of Llanelli Wanderers.
“A lot of hard work has gone in to making this season a success – the boys and the club have done themselves proud. We were in the bottom league for years and now we’re doing so well,” said club captain Tom Gronow.
“The support from the village has been fantastic. Lots of former players and people in the community turned up to watch us – including my father John who was captain back in 1972.
“We’re looking forward to the future. We take every match as it comes and are quietly confident that we’ll do okay, although we like to do our talking on the pitch.”
Former Bridgend and Wales scrum half Gerald Williams made a major impact in his first season in charge at Pencoed and his side raced to the SSE SWALEC Division 2 West Central title. They lost only once all season and ended with 103 points – two points clear of Maesteg.
They secured 18 try bonus points in their 21 victories and also picked up a losing bonus point in the only game they lost – a 23-18 home defeat at the hands of Maesteg. For club captain Kieron Moore it was a very special season.
“To win the league in my first year as captain is unbelievable. I’ve experienced winning the league at Pencoed before, but to do so again as captain is extra special,” said Moore.
“I’ve played at this club since I was seven-years-old and from that age I remember looking up at the captain’s board in the club and seeing the names of past captains. I dreamt of being up there one day – it’s an amazing feeling.
“Our goal at the start of the season was to win promotion and now the goal for next season is to hold our own and play good rugby in Division 1 West. There is a lot of belief in our squad and we enjoyed a good cup run earlier in the season and beat some strong teams from Division 1.
“We know we can beat them because we’ve done it already. There’s a real buzz in the club and the support we’ve had has been the most I’ve ever seen. Long may that continue next season.”
Team Manager Dean Moore added some special praise for the new coach: “Gerald has come along this season and brought with him a difference in attitude – he’s professional all the way. Going into Division 1 next season we know it’ll be tough and the physicality will be a different level, but we’re confident that we can build on the momentum of winning the Division 2 title.”
Pontyberem captain Mike Sauro was the toast of his club as he steered his side to the SSE SWALEC Division 3 West A title with a magnificent 36 kicks out of 40 in the final throes of the campaign. Having finished 11th in Division 3 West the previous season, Sauro was in charge of a totally different team in 2014/15.
They lost only once in their 20 games and averaged five tries per game as they won the title by a massive 13 point margin over Lampeter Town. They finished with a flourish, clinching the title on 18 April with a 65-3 win over Cefneithin, and scored more than 250 points in their final three matches.
But the key to their success, according to head coach Wayne Williams, was the defeat they suffered to New Dock Stars in January.
“That gave us a kick and since then we’ve gone from strength to strength and built momentum. Everyone is buzzing having been crowned as champions, but we’re all raring to go again for next season with a bigger and tougher challenge ahead,” said Williams.
Fishguard & Goodwick ensured they were going to be in the party mood on the day they received their SSE SWALEC Division 3 West B trophy as they beat Pembroke Dock Quins 108-16. That win allowed them to stay six points clear of nearest rivals Milford Haven. They lost only once in the season.
“I think we’ve been lucky in terms of having a good group of players together at the right time – we have a good pack of forwards and the best backs in the league. They’re a young team but, having played together through our youth system, they all know each other’s strengths and know their games,” aid team manager James Morgans.
“Now we’re seeing that pay dividends for our supporters – along with the excellent coaching staff at the club who have developed the players. This win is for the fans because we have one of the biggest followings in the division and it’s great to repay their dedication with some silverware.”
Tregaron were crowned champions of SSE SWALEC Division 3 West C, pipping Llangadog to the title by three points. They won 14 of their 16 games and lost twice to their nearest rivals.
Tight head prop Dorian Pugh ended up s the club’s leading try scorer with 10 and outside half Chris Jones was the leading points scorer. But it was the all-round team ethos of a side well coached by Vivian Davies and Dafydd Pugh-Jones that earned the club their biggest ever prize.
“The highlight of the season was beating Betws home and away because we played some fantastic rugby in both games. Next season will be a big step-up for this club and we will be playing at the highest standard in Tregaron’s history, but we can’t wait for the challenge,” said club captain Gethin Jones.
Nantymoel went through the whole of their SSE SWALEC Division 3 West Central A campaign undefeated, drawing once in the season 27-27 with Nantyffyllon. That slight blemish on proceedings came on the second weekend of the season, but from there on they won 16 straight victories to end three points clear of Nantyffyllon.
“To seal the league with a 44-0 win at Ogmore Vale was a dream come true. It is always a big game for us against them,” said head coach Lee Humphries.
“The players have been excellent this season and they’ve really given their all. When you have a team full of local players who are all friends, it’s easier to coach because they play for each other.
“They’ve all been training in rain, hail, mud and that built the character which helped us through tough games. It’s been no easy feat this season, but we’ve fought tooth and nail and as a result we haven’t lost any games.”
The SSE SWALEC Division West Central B title went to Cwmavon, who saw off nearest rivals Briton Ferry by a massive 22. They drew one of their 18 games, won the rest and picked up 16 try bonus points as they plundered 129 throughout the season.
But no sooner had the title been secured than the coaches had set the date for pre-season training for the 2015/16 campaign.
“It’s the commitment more than anything which has made the difference this season. The boys have turned out in force for every game and to training through the dark winter months – they’ve put in 100% every week in some very tough games,” said long standing club captain Luke Rees.
“I think beating Briton Ferry, our nearest rivals in the league, a few weeks ago set us on our way to winning the title – that was one of the final hurdles for us to pass to get over the line. Now we’re looking for another big season and hopefully we can build on the momentum we’ve created by winning this division.
“It’s going to be an exciting league for us as we have about four different derbies, so every match will be like a cup final.”
What a season it has been for Ystradgynlais, who added the SSE SWALEC Division 3 West Central C title to the SSE SWALEC Bowl title they had won at the Millennium Stadium six days earlier. Not only that, their 17-12 cup win over Cambrian Welfare and their 25-19 final league game victory at Morriston ensured they went through the regular season unbeaten.
Full back Matthew Edwards had been the hero in the Bowl final, scoring all his side’s points, and he was once again the star in a nail-biting finish to the league campaign. It was a winner takes all scenario on the final weekend at Morriston with the home side seeking revenge for their only defeat of the season at Ystrad.
A try from Bowdy Davies and 20 points, including two tries, from Edwards edged the visitors ahead, but with two players in the sin-bin in a frantic final few minutes it was a nervous ending to the season. Vernon Cooper’s side held their nerve, however, to make it two successive league titles having won Division 5 South West in 2013/14.
