By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports
“There is only one way to succeed at anything: to give everything.” This powerful statement from Heol-y-Cyw captain Jordan Hawkins says all you need to know about how his side goes about their business.
His words from October speak volumes about the club’s formidable spirit. The team has taken the skipper’s words to heart; as Heol-y-Cyw give everything, whether that’s in training or on game day.
They are in the middle of a flawless season, as the team has yet to taste defeat. Heol-y-Cyw were victorious against local rivals Pencoed, earning a hard-fought 21–16 win to take a further step towards the final.
Over the years, Heol-y-Cyw have built up a reputation for defying the odds and punching well above their weight.
However, the side will feel confident they can deliver silverware to the clubhouse this season. The club will look to channel teams of the past and make another impressive cup run.
Taking Inspiration From the Past
In any sport, at any level, there is always a special feeling during a knockout competition, especially in grassroots games.
A chance to lift a trophy and prove that you are the best in your division, no matter your location, is immensely satisfying.
The road to the final is a long one, and as the tournament progresses, the anticipation builds.
There is a sense of extra pressure and nerves during a cup match because if you lose, there is no coming back, making it all the more meaningful when a team produces quality performances.
Throughout Heol-y-Cyw’s history, the club has shown an unbreakable spirit and embarked on a few giant-killing runs in cup competitions.
In 1983, Heol-y-Cyw made a remarkable charge to the Arms Park in the Brewers Cup, where they defeated larger clubs throughout the competition and reached the final.
Even though they suffered defeat at the hands of Baglan in the Welsh capital, it was an outstanding achievement and a defining moment in the club’s history.
The team did not have to wait long to capture gold, as they beat Maesteg Harlequins in 1984 to secure the Lyn Sports Cup.
Not many teams have a better legacy and pedigree in Welsh rugby than Neath RFC, a formidable force in the Welsh game.
It is always a tough ask to go and beat the ‘Welsh All Blacks’ — a name that carries a tremendous amount of weight for rugby fans across the nation.
Heol-y-Cyw journeyed down to the iconic Gnoll and faced off against Neath on a December day in 1984, for the second round of the WRU Challenge Cup.
Even though they came up short in the encounter, Heol-y-Cyw’s spirit and resilience made it a tough night for the hosts as they gave them a run for their money.
Led by Allan Henson, the club churned out a lionhearted performance that made their village proud with a fantastic showing against giants of Welsh rugby.
Casting your eyes to a more recent period for the club, in 2013, Heol-y-Cyw went on a sensational run to the Principality Stadium, where they held their nerve to defeat Rhydyfelin 20–19 and brought home the Swalec Plate, which was a seismic achievement for Heol-y-Cyw.
As stated before, there is a sense of extra pressure and nerves that come with a cup tie. The key to combating this is experience.
Heol-y-Cyw has players who know what it is like to produce at a prominent level. The likes of Paul Short and Aaron Pinches have played at the highest levels of the Welsh grassroots game.
In the forward pack, you will find Adam O’Driscoll, who knows what it is like to win big at the Principality Stadium, as he, along with his brothers Zac and Luke O’Driscoll, was part of the Bridgend Ravens side that stormed the capital and toppled Pontypridd to win the cup in 2015.
Heol-y-Cyw have the tools to win the entire competition, and their victory against local rivals Pencoed RFC booked them a place in the quarter-finals.
A Hard-Fought Victory Over Local Rivals
Rivalries and sport are synonymous; there is an extra buzz of anticipation when two rivals clash in a contest.
The history and legacy can always be felt during a derby game. There are many fantastic rivalries throughout Welsh rugby.
One of these rivalries is Heol-y-Cyw vs Pencoed. The energy is palpable whenever the two sides lock horns; stakes are always high in any clash, especially when a spot in the quarter-finals is on the line.
As Heol-y-Cyw made the less-than-10-minute journey to their rivals’ home, both sides were chomping at the bit after the game scheduled for last weekend was called off thanks to Storm Darragh.
You would be hard-pressed to find a parking space, as streets and car parks overflowed in anticipation of the contest, where drivers needed the vision of Antoine Dupont to secure a parking spot.
Even though Heol-y-Cyw went into the contest as the in-form team, there was always a sense it could be a close encounter.
It was a crisp afternoon; cries of “Come on the Cyw” and “Come on the Coed” echoed around the ground as both sets of supporters rallied behind their teams, in an atmosphere worthy of this monumental clash.
The match was a physical encounter filled with passion and determination from both sides. In the first half, there were some big hits and exciting moments, ending with Heol-y-Cyw taking a relatively comfortable lead, but you always felt that the home side was still up for the fight.
You could see this in the second half as Pencoed did not give up, and under a picturesque sky whilst daylight dwindled, they had a chance to take the game in the fleeting moments.
Yet, it was Heol-y-Cyw’s day as they secured their second win over their rivals this season. Tries from Ben Keene and Adam O’Driscoll were vital to the game’s outcome.
However, the score that would make rugby purists’ hearts sing is Daniel Phillips’ electrifying second-half try.
The Brackla-based speedster, in a moment of magic, produced a tremendous score as he glided past two defenders to complete a long-distance run from the opposition’s 22.
Heol-y-Cyw runs deep in the winger’s veins, as his father James Phillips knows what it is like to compete in the derby. It was a special moment for the 21-year-old to cross the line to help his team secure victory.
“It’s a full-circle moment playing in this local derby as I watched it every year on Boxing Day growing up, and being able to score and help my team proceed to the next round of the cup is a great feeling. I have a good feeling that we could go all the way.”
Many players put on solid displays for Heol-y-Cyw. Jake Lloyd performed well stepping into the fly-half role and being money off the kicking tee.
His opposite number will be recognisable to rugby fans worldwide; of course, there has been a lot of excitement around Gavin Henson’s return to his boyhood club, and it was a great battle between the two tens.
In the centre, Chris Howe’s passing was on point as he threw absolute dimes all over the park. Heol-y-Cyw have a great squad, and will looking to do grandiose things in the coming months.
Why Heol-y-Cyw Should Fancy Their Chances
Vital victories in the bag and steeped in an endearing history, Heol-y-Cyw should feel ready to charge towards silverware.
The community should be immensely proud of what their team is doing. Heading into the New Year the side is undefeated, having played some eye-catching rugby.
They have performed well in both the cup and the league. Statistically, the team has been on fire, scoring 304 points and conceding only 120 in league competition.
As a side, they know how to cross the try line, with Heol-y-Cyw scoring 43 tries and conceding only 13. This impressive ratio suggests silverware could be in store for them.
Throughout the season, the team has shown an ability to blow the opposition away. However, the contests against Pencoed and Aberavon Harlequins show they have an ability to win tightly contested affairs.
Heol-y-Cyw has a great squad and is firing on all cylinders right now, which means it shouldn’t matter who they draw because if the squad is at there best, Heol-y-Cyw is a difficult team to beat.
“To succeed at anything, you have to give everything.” Going back to these words from the captain, it reflects how the team is playing right now.
When watching them play, words like commitment and hunger come to mind. With performances like these, Heol-y-Cyw enter the second half of the season as top contenders in both the league and the cup.
Yet, when you watch the players compete, you can see the spirit and determination that has helped the club build its reputation for punching well above its weight.
As January rolls around, the village club will want to carry forward the momentum they have built over the past few months and achieve massive things.
A passionate fanbase follows them, and they will need all the support they can get as they head into the latter stages of the season.
If Heol-y-Cyw can continue this upward trajectory, they won’t just be contenders, but champions. Could a double be on the cards? With the form the side is showing, you wouldn’t dare bet against them.
READ MORE: Great things happening down at Heol-y-Cyw
