Sully Sports RFC

Club History

In 1966 a group of employees of the Distillers Co. Ltd. formed a 'social' rugby XV to play a number of games at the company's sport's ground at Swanbridge, Sully. Included were a number of Barry R.F.C members, who decided in 1967 to formalise the organisation and they applied for full membership of the Cardiff and District Rugby Union. Among these members were Jim Edwards, Bernie Somers, Mike Ingram, G.(Sid) Prosser, Robin Fenton and Gary Hobbs. Together with administrators W.E (Bill) Llewellyn and D.J (Dennis) Prater, they formed a powerful club unit, particularly when joined by other experienced players such as Phil Thomas, Alun Morgan and Brian Owen.

The initial departure of such leading members from Barry R.F.C caused a degree of acrimony that threatened to be on par with the Cadoxton and Barry Harlequins split of 1889, but there was a strong feeling from those involved that they were close to the end of their playing careers and could do little but good in fostering the game in wider circles. And so it has turned out be, Barry Plastics R.F.C running up to three sides and proving to be a force in District rugby circles.

Foundations for success were strengthened in the mid 1970's when the club was coached by Geoff Beckingham and now the sides are regular competitors in the Welsh Brewers Cup, the Mallett Cup and the Ninian Stuart Cup. Touring venues have included Holland, Spain, Germany and Belgium, as well as many within the U.K.

For over 20 years Barry Plastics organised a highly successful South Wales Industrial Sevens at their Swanbridge ground, which was the longest running tournament of it's kind in Wales. Barry Plastics also used to hold an annual match against Barry R.F.C in special siginificance as the Jim Edwards Memorial Match, following the death of one of B.P.'s club founder members and leading player who had previously enjoyed an equally telling career as a wing forward in Barry for many years.