The history of Llanelli Cricket Club

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Allan Evans smashed the Club record of 111 pts. for the 1st XV which he set in season 74/75 when he scored a total of 173 points in season 75/76, a record he still holds. Four years later, Matthew was the Club's captain as together with many of the class of '93, he led Glamorgan to their third Championship title. The summer of 1997 also saw Waqar Younis, the great Pakistani fast bowler, play for the Welsh county, and like Viv in 1993, Waqar played an integral role in Glamorgan's title success, delivering a series of match-winning spells, including one at Liverpool as Lancashire were dismissed for just 51. The Wanderers also invite representatives of other rugby clubs to attend this social evening. It is a night of a fine dinner, excellent after dinner speeches, informal conversations with the guests, and the function inevitably ends with a "Gymanfa Ganu". It is truly a great night for rugby men.

As part of the Welsh Rugby Union Centenary Year celebrations during season 1980/81, the Club was delighted to host the visit of Roger Gardener. Although a Welshman by birth, he had emigrated to South Africa and had become coach to the Natal team. The Club also took part in the relaying of the Queen's Message to the Welsh Rugby Union during this special year by carrying the message, which was sealed in a small replica of a rugby ball, from the Furnace R.F.C. headquarters to the Wanderers headquarters at Station Road.The first match versus A.S. Poissy, resulted in a fine 21 pts. - 9 victory for the Wanderers with 17 pts. coming from the boot of outside half Geraint Llewellyn. The other match was played against St. Germain en Laye, and the Wanderers must have been feeling the effects of French hospitality as they were trailing by 24 pts. to 3 at half time! Quite what refreshed the team at the interval is not known, but it was sufficient for the Wanderers to achieve a drawn result at 27 points each to maintain the Wanderer's record of being unbeaten on the Continent. The year before Glamorgan had played for the first time at their new ground in Cardiff following the redevelopment of the Arms Park and the creation of the National Stadium. The final county match took place at the Arms Park in August 1966 before Glamorgan moved a mile or so to the north-west to Sophia Gardens where they met the 1967 Indians in the opening match at their new ground. Several other Welsh-born players established a first-team place, including Dai and Emrys Davies from Llanelli, Cyril Walters from Neath as well as Maurice Turnbull from Cardiff, who duly went on to turn around the fortunes of the Club during the 1930s.

It was also agreed that the Club's Headquarters be at the Prince of Wales Inn and that Llanelly R.F.C. be asked to receive a deputation to request the use of Stradey Park as the Club's home ground. Fortunately, the Scarlets co-operated in providing training facilities, the use of the ground and a dressing room for matches. Honours continued to grace the Wanderers when three of its members represented the Royal Navy in the same match. They were Hywel Griffiths, Alan Harries and Hugh Prosser Jones. This memorable event occurred in the 1952/53 season and the Club proudly boasts this event as being a record for a second class club. The winter evenings of the 71/72 season were to see much activity in the Wanderers clubhouse. The ladies of the Club had organised keep fit evenings for themselves whilst the men were engaged in the less physically strenuous activity of a Cribbage tournament. The tournament attracted much interest in the Club and by the night of the final, held in the Mens' bar the air was filled with anticipation. The eventual winners were Harold Prescott and Peter Jones.The efforts of the ladies of the Club also need special mention. They have organised numerous social functions which have greatly enhanced the range of activities available to the membership. They have over the years "slaved over hot ovens" to provide greatly appreciated nourishment after a hard game. Their efforts, whilst perhaps not receiving the plaudits they regularly deserve, have in no small way contributed to the successful social side of the Wanderers. These Trophies are presented annually at the Captain's Dinner which normally takes place in the month ofJune. This follows the deliberations of the Club's own "Big 5" who also select the playing officials whose appointments are announced at the same dinner. The "Big 5" meet behind closed doors, and their selections cause great interest in the Club. Of course, each member of the "Big 5" is sworn to secrecy and the announcements of their deliberations is akin to the sighting of the white smoke over the Vatican when a new Pope is appointed.

So well known was the Club's choir that it was invited to take part in a Rugby Eisteddfod at the Swansea Uplands Rugby Club. It is not clear who was victorious, but what a great night it must have been. Following his move into rugby league, Jonathan played for Great Britain, won several caps for Wales and scored 39 tries for the Saints. Christmas Social –Wednesday, 13th December, 7 p.m., at the Selwyn Samuel Centre – Quiz Night with Steve BrownThere hangs in the Wanderers Club a portrait of Keri in Wanderers kit. The likeness is so remarkable that it could only have been painted by someone who knew him well. The artist, Owen Saer, who had played alongside Keri for so long as a hooker, paid his tribute in his own distinctive style. The 1959/60 season opened when the Wanderers took on the might of the Scarlets at Stradey. A penalty goal by Harry Thomas earned a deserved draw at 3 pts. each. Such was the popularity of the Wanderers that it had become necessary to form a second team in season 1960/61. Under the inspired leadership of Dennis Shanahan, they played their first match at Tumble coming away victors by 6 pts. to nil.

Among the highlights of the Club's first season were fixtures with St. Luke's College, Exeter, Swansea Athletic and Edinburgh Northern. September 1965 saw the Wanderers embark on their first continental tour. Under the tour managership of trusty Harry D. Evans, a party of 30 left Llanelli bound for Brussels. This tour had been long awaited by the Wanderers and the hospitality of the Belgians was well worth the wait. The touring party was entertained to a reception at the world famous Martini Bar and hosted by the Mayor of Brussels at the Brussels Town Hall. On the field the Club was to meet a Belgian XV and a Brussels XV. Incidentally, no "caps" were awarded for the match against the Belgian XV which resulted in a win for the Wanderers by 8 pts. to 3 pts. The Wanderers also beat the Brussels XV by 15 pts. to 13 pts.The Captain’s Dinner is in itself a Club institution. First held in 1959, it is traditionally a dinner hosted by the Club's captain of the season before and is attended by the Players, members of the Committee and whoever the captain decides to invite. November 1968 saw the Wanderers 5th Triennial Dinner when along with the various civic dignitaries and officials of other clubs, the chief guests were John Reason, W. H. Clement, Carwyn James and Ivor Jones, the then President of the Welsh Rugby Union. saw the Cardiff ground once again successfully host games in the ICC CHampions Trophy, inclusing the semi-final between England and Pakistan. Later in the summer, Glamorgan also defeated the Leicestershire Foxes in their home quarter-final in the NatWest T20 Blast and secured a place at Finals Day for the first time since 2004.