Park life’s sweet for the Sarries
LOCAL RUGBY
YOU can trace the origins of Cardiff Saracens back to the old Roath Park RFC 120 years ago and they still play on the same site of the original club to this day.
And the performances are simply getting better and better with their 16-15, last-gasp win earlier this month at Brackla earning them the bragging rights in Specsavers Division 3 East Central C. They remain unbeaten after eight matches and are on course for promotion having built up an eight point cushion at the top.
Add in last weekend’s 29-5 win at Markham to safely reach the third round of the Specsavers National Shield and it is turning into one of the best seasons on record.
“We are a small club, but we’ve got a very good squad this season. We are even trying to get a few 2nd XV fixtures at the moment,” said club secretary Paul Connolly.
“The whole set-up is working well for us.
“Martin Hole is doing a great job as coach and he has created a three-year playing plan for the club that is starting to have a really positive effect.
“Our new ‘clubhouse’ base at The Crofts pub, in Cross Street, is very accommodating and we’ve picked up some great sponsorship.
“But the big difference has been training at the Arms Park.
“Last season the weather was so bad we couldn’t train for two months. Cardiff Blues have been very helpful in letting us hire half the pitch on Wednesday nights for our sessions and that has enabled the coaches and players to do some quality work.
“We might be in the lowest league, but the standard of rugby has been very high this season.”
Whilst Roath Park RFC ran for 77 years, Cardiff Saracens RFC was formed in 1966 when Roath Park amalgamated with Spillers RFC.
The two clubs provided a rich history on which the ‘Sarries’ could build having won the Mallett Cup five times between them 1896 (1928, 1933, 1934, 1937, 1939) and the Ninian Stuart Cup one (1953). The ‘Sarries’ have picked up trophies in the past, but as they keep on winning talk will inevitably turn to a possible league and cup double. Their successes to date included winning the Harry Parfitt Trophy (1996), the Ron Lucock Cup (2001), the Cardiff District Rugby Union Division 1 title (2004), the Ninian Stuart Cup (2006) and the Division 6 South East crown (2013).
“Things are going well, but we won’t be getting ahead of ourselves. We like to think we serve a useful purpose in providing a good level of community rugby in Cardiff,” added Connolly.
“The emphasis is on fun and enjoyment, but it is always better when you are winning. It was a great feeling when Adam Worthington kicked the winning penalty from 45 metres at Brackla with the last kick of the game.”
There is another away trip this weekend with the short trip across the city centre to Whitchurch, when more local bragging rights will be in the offing.