All at Swansea RFC were saddened to hear of the recent passing of former ‘All Whites’ prop forward Byron Mainwaring. Byron hailed from Pontarddulais, where he began his rugby. He began playing for Swansea RFC in 1964-65, making just one appearance against Cardiff College of Education on 1st December 1964, and also one for Llanelli against Swansea toward the end of that season. Thankfully, everyone saw sense and Byron became a regular selection in Swansea’s front row from that time onward, making a total of 96 appearances between 1964 and 1969.
Universally known at St Helen’s as “Benny”, he was recognised by team mates and opponents alike as a powerful scrummager and fearsome competitor who gave all on the pitch and never took a backward step. Benny was employed as a miner and was renowned for both his size and fitness. At 17 to 18 stone Benny was the epitome of the classic tough Welsh forward of his day
He packed down regularly in the front row with the teak-like Doug Jones and impressive hooker Roy ‘Shunto’ Thomas – quite a proposition for any opponent. It was this front row that packed down against the fifth Wallabies on 15th November 1966 at St Helen’s when Swansea secured their second victory over an Australian international side by 9 – 8. Mainwaring played in the match just a fortnight after being forced injured from the pitch – a rarity in itself – in a match against Llanelli, a testament to his durability and competitive nature. He was also a very capable footballer in the association code.
Yet off-field Benny was known to all as a complete gentleman and great club man. Former team mates Roger Blyth and Mike James speak of Benny as both a great player and personality. Roger recalls: “Benny was a mainstay of a hard Swansea scrum at a time when I was just beginning my career at St Helen’s. He was physically imposing and you felt safe when he was on your team. Off-field he was the opposite, a very kind and generous man.”
Mike James adds: “Despite his fearsome reputation in the front row, Benny was a complete gentleman off the pitch, a description often used for hard forwards but in this instance, very apt. He was a great club man and I remember him with much affection.”
Then in his thirties, Byron Mainwaring finished playing altogether early in the 1969-70 season, but maintained his connection with the club, often attending All Whites Former Players’ Association dinners. As recently as 2016 Benny was present as the Swansea team of 1966 who defeated Australia were gathered together for the fiftieth anniversary of that achievement. He will be missed by his friends at St Helen’s and our thoughts are with Benny’s family at this difficult time.