Father and son combo keep it in family at Rhydyfelin

Mar 25 2008 by Our Correspondent, South Wales Echo

RHYDYFELIN most certainly are the highest club in Wales to have a father and son regularly playing first-team rugby as both Paul Phillips and 19-year-old son Keiran are in the Division Two East club’s back row.

Paul has been an important part of the club for many years and has been playing since the early 90’s. He was at full back for the 2nds in 1992, when he even kicked at goal. He is currently Rhydyfelin team manager and also does an enormous amount of behind the scenes work organising events for the players and chasing people to play in matches.

Keiran was last season’s Youth captain as they won a league and cup double. Another son, Chris Phillips, is a huge prospect having signed back from Beddau in the summer. He has played for Wales under-16’s as a prop forward and a third son, 12-year-old Rhys, is next on the production line.

Rhydyfelin scored two splendid tries on Saturday, but lost out to Navy fly half Rob Lloyd and former Wales Youth prop Rob Mills as Builth Wells won 30-12.

Lee Scarfe, at scrum half because Garyn Lucas was with Glamorgan Wanderers and Nicky Griffiths injured, made a superb run to send Garyn’s brother Ross over and wing David Gratton grabbed another and converted both. But Lloyd scored 15 points and Mills a good try for Builth.

Caerphilly retained the Division One lead despite being without Rob Phillips and Lee Mullane and coming up against a huge UWIC pack. They won 26-10 at Cyncoed, opening with tries by Rhys Watkins, and veteran Chris Ferris.

A Dean Watkins penalty and a Huw Locke drop shot followed. After the interval Nathan Gittings crossed, before Alan Awcock scored for UWIC. A catch and drive led to an Adam Minty try for a bonus point and flanker Matt Thompson crossed for the Students.