Our History

Welsh Academicals History : The Accies Special Game

Carwyn James

On October the 9th 1972, as part of the centenary celebrations at Aberystwyth University, the Welsh Academicals played against a team of past and present students of the college. The head of the University at the time, Goronwy Daniel, included the following comments in the match programme.

The College is thankful to the Welsh Rugby Union for its permission to play this match, and also to the Welsh Academicals for playing against the team representing the College. I am very pleased that Mr Carwyn James, a former student at the College and an unequalled authority on the game of Rugby, has contributed an article to the programme.

If Carwyn was with us still, these recollections would doubtless include a contribution from him. But I believe his contribution to the programme in Aber that day is a true testiment to his memory.

It was in Tumble that I first saw Aber play. A memorable game. The Tumble team was loaded with strong, hard miners who in that season, 1947-48, had been very successful in the West Wales League. As a sixth-former I was shocked to see the Aber students play so well, the courage of the forwards was astounding, the thrilling splendour of Alan Stonear on the wing and the elusiveness of John (Alfie) Brace, at fly half.

When I arriver at Aber in October 48', having previusly played for the Welsh Schools and Llanelli, it was with the second team and the occasional game for the town. A very happy time, when most students had experienced the war, but with the innexperienced youngsters fresh from school treated as equals. Travelling to mid-week games in Llandybie, Pontyberem, or Swansea meant a lecture free Wednesday and arriving back in the small hours ready for a Parry lecture at nine - the dearest of lecturers on Historical Grammar, though always excellent his lectures proved difficult to attand on time.

But the world took a turn, with the leaving of Alabam, Alfie, Lewis Red and Jones Red, Peter Stone, the wing-forward who played for Wales - good memories of him - and of many other friends. By the start of the 'fifties the last of this honoured generation had left, but with us the youngsters now experienced, having enjoyed living in their shadows, now facing a new stewardship. Forced to return to Aber from Llandybie, Pontyberem and Swansea by midnight, somehow without a strike or sit-in, we came through without losing grace or favour.

Happy days. If I had to face UCCA in the morning, I would as I did in 1948. The first choice, Aber. No second choice, or third, or fourth, or.. without sentiment. I enjoyed every minute of my four years and I would enjoy re-living.

The rugby. No coaching. Little training, I'm sorry to say. But there was spirit in the team and plenty of talent. Players such as Alan Stephens (Newport), Roy Williams (Llanelli and Wigan), Dai Price (Swansea), John Jones (Carmarthen) to name only a fistfull. Much socialising - in the refectory during the day and the Ship on a Saturday night, pulling together on the field, and enjoying college life in all its elements. One small example. Going up to Bangor for the Colleges Eisteddfod, and leaving Bangor in the early hours of Saturday morning. Reaching Aber at eight in the morning, breakfast, bed and getting up for lunch at mid-day. Wrestling with Cardiff in the final of the Inter - Col and giving them a fair hiding. Those were the days when the Welsh would herd to the Celt on Monday night and the Debate in the Exam Hall on Friday night, an hour early to find a place.

Cherrish your world and your inheritence. Enjoy the centenary and show Aber at its best. That is the wish of one old student, at least.