Club Captain : Bryn Evan
Capped v England : Claude Davey, Dai Thomas, Watcyn Thomas (c)
Capped v Scotland : Claude Davey, Ronnie Morris (d), Bryn Evans (d), Dai Thomas,
Watcyn Thomas (c)
Capped v Ireland : Watcyn Thomas (c)
Swansea RFC 1st XV 1932-33 Season.
Playing field becomes a vast choir – Wales 3 Scotland 11 at Swansea 4 Feb 1933 (Courtesy – Pathe News) CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW TO WATCH MOVIE
SWANSEA RUGBY CLUB SEASON 1932-33
All games played: 41, Won 19, Drawn 7, Lost 15, For 435, and Against 245
Other Fixtures: Won 0, Lost2, For 9 Against 30
Captain: Bryn Evans,
Not of 1st class status: Morriston and Penclawdd. Also, the game with Maesteg not given 1st class status
Leading Try scorers: Dudley Folland 13
Ronnie Morris 11
Billy Trew jnr 10
Leading Points Scorers: Lorrie Herbert: 18 Conv., 6 Penalties
Ronnie Morris: 8 Drop Goals
Capped by Wales: Claude Davey (Centre) v England, Scotland
Dai Thomas (2nd Row) v England, Scotland
Watcyn Thomas (2nd Row) Captain v England,
Scotland and Ireland
Bryn Evans (I/Half) v Scotland
Ronnie Morris (O/Half) v Scotland
Unofficial Table: 1 Llanelli Retained title of Champions
2 Abertillery
3 Neath
9 Swansea
11 Newport
After a terrific season in 1931-1932, with only 8 defeats, this was a poor season and a great disappointment as the Whites finished 9th of 11 in the Championship. They lost all four games with Llanelli with three defeats and a draw against Neath. It was not just the poor results, supporters were disappointed with the lack of open running rugby in the style to which they had become accustomed.
There were some good wins however; Cardiff were beaten twice with two draws and one defeat, Newport were defeated Home and Away, while other victories were gained over Bridgend, Cross Keys, Gloucester, Leicester and Bath.
There were extenuating circumstances; Second Row, Dai Thomas, said to be the best Forward in Wales, seriously injured his shoulder against Scotland while his partner, Joe White, got injured in an accident at work.
Inside Half and Skipper, Bryn Evans, was a popular player but he wasn’t assertive enough. He and Ronnie Morris played for Wales against Scotland but neither played well and they were consequently dropped. The chance came two years too late for Evans and two years too soon for Morris. Penclawdd teacher Evans, retired at the end of the Season.
Selection was a problem. It was inconsistent, especially behind the scrum. Pendragon, the Chief Rugby Writer for the Post, was highly critical of the Swansea Backs. They were too slow and frequently failed to get the ball to the Wings. Trew had a good season but was starved of ball on the Wing. Full Back Lorrie Herbert was dropped and Cliff Cowling was disappointing in the Centre. Wing Reggie Bateman failed to make use of his strength and speed until the end of the season when his form improved considerably. Outside Half, Ronnie Morris was the best Back and he deserved his Welsh Cap as a fine deceptive runner.
In the pack, Glyn Jones developed into a fine Hooker. Tom Day lost his place in the Welsh Team but played well for the Whites. Wing Forward, Eddie Long was dropped but soon regained his form. The other Flanker, Will Davies, who played every game for Wales in the previous season, was dropped by the Whites and ended up back at Amman United. Jack Rees moved to Prop to allow University product, Glyn Davies a place in the Back Row. Clem Jones from Loughor and Norman Pugh of Ystalyfera were useful recruits.
While the English Cricket team under Douglas Jardine were winning the Bodyline Series in Australia, the sports pages of the Local Papers were frequently concerned with the pros and cons of the specialisation of positions. Whereas the Backs would play in Set Positions e.g. Full Back, Centre or Wing, the Forwards would play anywhere in the Scrum or Lineout. Players like Hooker, Glyn Jones or Wing Forward Eddie Long, were winning the argument for the specialised Forward.
Club Finances;
In a year of Industrial Depression and a severe winter with frost and snow, it was no mean achievement to make a loss for the season of only £109.
Gate receipts and Season Tickets earned the club £2180.
A Boxing Show raised £315.
The Ladies Committee raised £120.
Swansea & District Supporters Club raised £54.
Sources: South Wales Daily Post
Western Mail
By Rob Phillips