| P | W | D | L | Pts For |
Pts Ag. |
T | P | D | C |
| 34 | 19 | 0 | 15 | 1091 | 795 | 80 | 70 | 7 | 64 |
Captain : Richard Francis
Most appearances : Richard Hibbard 31
Top points scorer : Luke Richards 394 (7 tries, 61 penalties, 8 drop goals, 76 conversions)
Top try scorer : Gareth Swales 14.
Luke Richards achieved a club record points for a season, beating the previous record of 381 held jointly by Mark Wyatt and Arwel Thomas.
.jpg)
Swansea RFC Squad 2003-4 Season
Back row L to R: Andy Jones (Ass.Physio), Andy Maggs (Physio), Peter Orphan (Club Chaplain), David Watts, Paul Mackey, Michael White, James Horner, Gareth Swales, David Blyth, Jon Tenconi, Lee May, Ian Evans, Gareth Newman, Daniel Hockin, Tim Evans, Gavin Vaughan Evans, Mervyn Meredith, Gareth Llewellyn, Gareth Jones, Nicky Jones, Darren Pittard, Alun Richards, Alex Lawson (Fitness Coach), David Roberts, Bernard Cajot, Ian Hopkins (Team Manager).
Front row L to R: Ryan Llewellyn, Rhodri Wells, Rob Sweeney, Richie Rees, Rhys Jones, Richard Hibbard, Richard Francis (Captain), Keith Colclough (Coach), Anthony Clement (Senior Coach), Dean Colclough, Luke Richards, Andrew Clatworthy, Mathew Brayley, Chris Shelmerdine, David Tame.
(Photo: Dragon Tales Rugby)
Swansea’s 1st season since the introduction of regional rugby saw flanker Richard Francis return to captain an inevitably much changed squad from the previous season. Richard had previously played on 25 occasions for the club, since his debut as long ago as 1995/96.
The season commenced at the Brewery Field with a 21-18 win over Bridgend followed by a very impressive St Helens victory by 45 points to 3 against Cardiff. The Talbot Athletic Ground then witnessed our 1st defeat, by 23 points to 14.
Three very impressive scalps followed (Llanelli, Neath and Pontypridd) before 5 consecutive defeats. Later in the season after being beaten at Caerphilly in the cup, there were 5 consecutive losses in the league.
This inconsistency pretty much summed up the league season, finally finishing 6th out of 16 with a record of played 30, won 16 and lost 14 for a total of 48 points, with 96 tries scored. Doubles were achieved over Neath and Bridgend.
Impressive cup wins against Ynysddu (79-0), Nantyffyllon (96-0) and Ebbw Vale (42-34) were to be soon blighted by the disappointing defeat to Caerphilly.
Swansea owed much of their success to prolific points scorer Luke Richards, the 23 year old outside half, who had joined from Caerphilly that season. Luke created a new club points record for a season with 394 comprising 7 tries, 61 penalty goals, 8 drop goals and 76 conversions from his 30 appearances.
The next highest points scorer was full back Gareth Swales with 78, who was also top try scorer with 14.
Hooker Richard Hibbard made the most appearances with 31, having made his debut with 1 appearance in 2002/03. Fellow future Osprey and Wales international, Alun Wyn Jones, made his club debut and made 2 appearances.
Luke Tait made 2 appearances (and 1 in 2004/05) and now is an International regular for Canada. On 27 April, 35 year old Wales International 2nd row Gareth Llewellyn made his club debut and appeared on 2 occasions.
There were farewells during the season for Chris Wells and James Bater. Captain Richard Francis, who made 24 appearances, retired.