1954-55 Season

P W D L Pts. For Pts. Ag. T P D C
38 14 3 21 249 290 45 22 6 15

CAPTAIN : CLEM THOMAS
MOST APPEARANCES : 32 (RAYMOND JONES &
TREVOR PETHERBRIDGE)
MOST TRIES : 9 (TEIFION WILLIAMS)
MOST POINTS : 58 (ALAN PROSSER HARRIES)
WALES CAPS :
v E : ‘Billy’ Williams
v S : Clem Thomas & ‘Billy’ Williams
v I : Clem Thomas & ‘Billy‘ Williams
v F : ‘Billy’ Williams
British Lions to South Africa : Clem Thomas & ‘Billy’ Williams

Swansea embarked upon a pre season tour to Rumania in August 1954.

In an otherwise disappointing season Swansea had 2 selections for the end of season British Lions tour to South Africa, namely Clem Thomas and Billy Williams.

Captain Clem Thomas leads out the Swansea team for their 1st game of the Rumanian tour versus the Locomotive club that was played in temperature above 100 degrees. This greatly affected Swansea who lost 23-12. (Club Archive)

 

This is action from the game versus Locomotive on 21st August 1954. In the 2nd game 5 days later, which was played in the evening and in cooler conditions, Swansea defeated Constructor by 16-5. (Club Archive).

 

Swansea became the 1st Western club to play behind the Iron Curtain with this tour of Rumania in August 1954. The 1st game marked the official opening of the stadium that was capable of accommodating 80,000 people and followed an invitation by the Rumanian Rugby Federation to Swansea because of their ‘fame and tradition’. The Rumanian Minister of Sport said that the Swansea delegation had made a wonderful impression on all who had met them and were a credit to their club and country. (Club Archive).

 

Match programme: Locomotiva Bucuresti v Swansea, 23 Aug 1954. (Club Archive).

This is a picture of the touring squad taken at Paddington station, London. Among the players was guest player Carwyn James (pictured 5th from left, back row), who was later to gain 2 Wales caps from Llanelli and then become one of the game’s all time great coaches. Particularly remembered amongst his achievements are 2 victories against the mighty All Blacks, Llanelli in 1972 and the 1971 British Lions.
Original image restored by David Dow at Dragon Tales Rugby 2006. 01792 419756, 07779 043 048. www.dragontalesrugby.com

This is a picture of the touring squad taken at Paddington station, London. Among the players was guest player Carwyn James (pictured 5th from left, back row), who was later to gain 2 Wales caps from Llanelli and then become one of the game’s all time great coaches. Particularly remembered amongst his achievements are 2 victories against the mighty All Blacks, Llanelli in 1972 and the 1971 British Lions. (Club Archive).

 

 

 

 

Ornamental vase and lid presented to Swansea RFC during Romanian tour 1954 (Club Archive)

 

Ornamental rugby ball, steel on wood base – “Oferit colectivul sportiv Locomotiva Grivita Rosie Bucuresti.” , Presented to Swansea RFC during Romanian tour 1954. (Club Archive).

 

Action shot: Swansea v Newport at St Helens, 25 Sept. 1954. Swansea lost 3 – 9. (Courtesy Mike Dams – Newport RFC).

 

Above: Swansea wing Teifion Williams scores at the Mumbles End against Ranji walker’s XV on 11 September 1954 at St Helen’s. Group Captain Ranji walker’s XV won the game 11 – 9. Also in the photo are England wing C. G. Woodruff (Harlequins) and far right S. T. H. Wright the Scotland international prop (Stewart’s FP). Len Blythe in striped jersey is the touch judge. (Image courtesy of Justin Griffiths- Williams Teifion Williams’ son).

BELOW: Teifion Williams discusses the photo above with his son Justin. he refers to Kingsley Amis’ presence in the crowd on the Tanner Bank (Recording courtesy of Justin Griffiths- Williams)