ONE of the oldest township rugby sides, Walmer Wales, staged its 90th Anniversary Rugby Tournament, which turned out to be a huge success, at the John Masiza Primary School Fields recently.
Nelson Mandela Bay Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC) played a big role in making sure that the event became a huge success.
Over the years, Wales boasted stars that included the late Peter Mkata, Sticks Ntonga, Fezi Bell, Stone Bell, Makhaya Jack and Bhadi Poro, who all left indelible marks on the country’s rugby history.
After the departure of these yesteryear stars, the standard of rugby in Wales plummeted quite tremendously. At one point, Wales were in abeyance, leaving the rugby rich township without any rugby.
The recent tournament was used as a platform to refresh the memories of rugby games that used to bring the community members and families together to the fields.
When the rugby-loving supporters saw teams, like Spring Rose (Cavallas), Union RFC (Whites), St Cyprians (Amaqwarha), Easterns of 1922 (Amavili-Wheels) and Kuyga (Green Lovers from Greenbushes), their memories flashed back to the high standard of rugby produced by the teams in previous years.
KwaMagxaki Hilltop Eagles earned a narrow 18-14 win from Kuyga RFC in the finals. Hilltop went home with a floating trophy and gold medals, while Rose settled for silver medals.
South African Sevens player, Phumeza Gadu, who was in attendance, commended the teams in the tournament for playing exciting games of rugby.
