02/09/2026
Memorable Matches II
17th January 1998
Pontyberem 12 Brynaman 21 (Heineken National League Division 5 West)
Throughout the 1990’s Brynaman enjoyed a fiercely competitive rivalry with Pontyberem from the Gwendraeth Valley. A recurring feature of the league head to heads would be a victory for the home team on every occasion. This sequence began in what was the old West Wales Section B in 1990/91 and ended when the Greens recorded this victory in January 1998 in what was Heineken National League Division 5 West. A brace of tries by Number Paul Ahearne was the stand out statistic on what was a heavy going pitch liberally watered by the overflowing culvert. Whilst most Brynaman supporters will recognise scrum half Rhodri Morgan in the photograph, few will realise that his opposite number that day (far left) was Jonny Clayton. At that point little did either know what fate would have in store for them in the years that lay ahead. Whilst Rhodri later amassed over 350 appearances for Brynaman, his son Jac has since Captained the Welsh Senior Rugby XV and appeared for the British & Irish Lions in the Tour to Australia in 2025.Meanwhile Jonny Clayton continues to excel on the World Professional Darts circuit winning 4 PDC Major Singles titles in 2021 alone and is currently ranked World Number 5.
The Brynaman squad that featured that day was as follows:
Jeremy Lloyd (Captain), Huw Morgan, Darren Such, Gareth Davies, Rhodri Morgan, Aled Evans, Peter Phillips, Chris Jones, Owain Jones, Andrew Roberts, Rhodri Jones, Martin Lewis, Mike Hearne, Cerith Jones, Ian Fisher, Paul Ahearne, Huw Williams, Bleddyn Thomas, Paul Morris, Alun Wyn Stephens
