New Dock Stars RFC win SWALEC Division 5 West title


New Dock Stars RFC have secured the SWALEC Division 5 West trophy with a 32-8 home win over Cefneithin RFC today (Saturday 26th April 2014).
The Llanelli-based side carried off the SWALEC Division 5 West title by reaching an unbeatable 89 points, winning all but one of the league games that they’ve played this season and with three games still remaining.
It’s been 32 years since the last silverware at New Dock Stars and the Division 5 West title win is the crowning of three seasons of hard work and dedication.
The nucleus of the team has remained consistent over the past three years – with some of the youth squad promoted to the senior squad this year - and the team has been rewarded having led their league opponents for most of the season.
New Dock Stars RFC Club Captain Jordan Evans said:
“I am absolutely ecstatic. This has been more than two years in the making. It’s been hard work but everyone is over the moon.
“Today, is the best feeling I’ve ever had on a rugby pitch.
“During the year, we’ve had a couple of lows, but we have bounced back from them. This, today, is obviously the highlight of the season.
“It’s unfair to single anyone out as it has been a team effort. The front row, the second, row, the backs, everyone has been magnificent.
“Looking to next season, I think we should stay up. We should cope well in Division 4 West.”
Coach Hywel Jones, one of three senior coaches at the club, said:
“This championship has put New Dock Stars back on the rugby map because this has been a long time coming.
“We have always been there or thereabouts, but this year the players have been outstanding. I can’t thank them enough.
“It’s been 32 years since we last won a trophy. The boys are chuffed and I couldn’t have asked for more from them.
“Every weekend has been a highlight and getting on the road to keep the winning form going to win this championship has been vital.
“The boys have worked hard for it and they thoroughly deserve it.
“I don’t think we will have a problem in Division 4 West.”
WRU Board Member Anthony John added:
“I congratulate New Dock Stars on their victory today and judging by the mood in the clubhouse this afternoon the celebrations should go on long into the night.
“As a club, they have been waiting a long time to get some silverware, but they have stuck at it and their perseverance has brought its rewards.”

Photo above(by Huw Evans picture agency) of WRU board member Anthony John presenting the SWALEC Division 5 West trophy to New Dock Stars captain Jordan Evans.

SWALEC is the national community partner of the Welsh Rugby Union and sponsors both the SWALEC Leagues and SWALEC Cup, Plate and Bowl competitions. SWALEC Finals Day, which sees six clubs battle it out in the Cup, Plate and Bowl competitions, will take place on Sunday 4th May at the Millennium Stadium.
Jonny Petrie, head of sponsorship strategy at SWALEC, added: “Our strong partnership with the WRU and its clubs goes back a number of years and we’re very pleased to be doing more for grassroots rugby in Wales through our sponsorship of the SWALEC Leagues. It has been another strong season for Welsh rugby as a whole and we have seen some impressive performances at club level. Many congratulations to New Dock Stars RFC on claiming the title.”
SWALEC became National Community Partner of the WRU in 2008, which saw them sponsor both the SWALEC National Leagues and SWALEC Cup, Plate and Bowl competitions. The partnership was extended in 2011 through until 2015 and sees the energy firm continue its significant investment into grassroots rugby. The partnership between SWALEC and the WRU has been a great success and the renewal agreement is testament to the strong relationship that has been established between the two organisations.
SWALEC, part of SSE plc, employs over 900 people at the company’s Cardiff Gate headquarters. SSE plc, the second largest energy company in the UK, is involved in the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity, energy trading, the storage, distribution and supply of gas, electrical and utility contracting and telecoms. SSE plc supplies more than nine million customers through its retail brands, SWALEC, Scottish Hydro, Southern Electric, SSE and Atlantic. It transmits and distributes electricity to over 3.6million customers in the north of Scotland and the south of England. SSE plc is the largest non-nuclear electricity generator with over 10,000 megawatts of capacity from the most diverse portfolio of power stations. It is also the leading generator of electricity from renewable resources.

 Picture slideshow. Match photos by Robert Lloyd. Presentation photos by Huw Evans Picture Agency.

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