Aberavon Harlequins RFC (nicknamed "The Mighty Quins") is a Welsh rugby union team located in the Fairfield area of Port Talbot, a few minutes away from the town centre and Aberavon. In 1955, the team gained membership of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU). Today the club is a feeder club for the Ospreys. Aberavon Harlequins RFC have produced many international players over the years, most notably Welsh internationals Richard Hibbard, James Hook. Wales 7's international Jacob Flynn and Welsh international rugby league superstar Regan Grace[1]

Aberavon Quins RFC
Full nameAberavon Harlequins Rugby Football Club
Nickname(s)The Mighty Quins
Founded1891
LocationPort Talbot, Wales
Ground(s)Harlequin Road (Capacity: 2,000)
ChairmanMark Gregory
PresidentKen Morgan
Coach(es)Wales Mark Jones
Captain(s)Wales Dale Bowen
League(s)WRU Division 2 West Central
2022-20234th
Team kit
Official website
www.aberavonquins.com

History

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The club was founded in 1891, and they become known as the Aberavon Excel, playing in an all-white strip.[2] After the First World War in 1918, the Excels formed the Aberavon Harlequins R.F.C., which it has been known as since. They played on a waste site at what is now the Sandfields Estate, later renamed the Harlequins Field.[2] In 1932-33, the club was reformed by Dick Lody, Dill Stanford, Don Mainwaring and H.Williams, and the club grew until the start of Second World War.

In 1951, the club received a boost when the former Maesteg RFC, Wales and British Lions scrum half Trevor Lloyd returned to Aberavon Harlequins, his original club.[2] The 1955/56 season was the best playing record in the Quins' history, playing over thirty matches and losing only once.[2]

At the start of the 21st century, in an attempt to modernise the governing body of Welsh rugby union and to bring Wales fully into the professional era, it was decided to restructure the Welsh leagues and to source new sponsorship revenue for them. Teams would be allocated a division depending on their recent season's order of merit and their geographical location. In the 2001/02 season, the Quins were placed in Lloyds TSB Division Two West, along with their local rivals Corus (Port Talbot) RFC.

The 2008/2009 season saw the Quins complete the “Double” winning the tightly contested WRU Division Three South West league and also winning the illustrious Glamorgan County Silver Ball Trophy by beating Llantwit Fardre RFC 17-3, making it the second “Silver Ball” title for the Quins after previously winning it in 1982.

Current squad

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Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Dan Helson Prop   Wales
Jon Bamsey Prop   Wales
Mike Burgess Prop   Wales
Joshua Pugh Prop   Wales
Thomas Morley Prop   Wales
Tyler Hopkins Hooker   Wales
Nathan Robins Hooker   Wales
Jack Davies Lock   Wales
Callum Beynon Lock   Wales
Dale Bowen (c) Lock   Wales


Matthew Washbourne Lock   Wales
Jake Price Flanker   Wales
Dylan Mclachlan Flanker   Wales
Drew Kinsey Flanker   Wales
James Lewis Flanker   Wales
Jonathan Evans Flanker   Wales
Aled Cockwell Number 8   Wales
Connor O'Callaghan Centre   Wales
Player Position Union
Rhys Edmunds Scrum-half   Wales
Ryan Pugh Fly-half   Wales
Morgan Kennerly Centre   Wales
Jack Dacey Centre   Wales
Lewis Cronin Centre   Wales
Rory Hinchliffe Wing   Wales
Macauley Ley Wing   Wales
Elliot Graham Wing   Wales
Kieran Brennan Wing   Wales
Keanu Piles Wing   Wales
Nanthawat Naonan Wing   Wales


Honours

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  • 1981/82 - Glamorgan Silver Ball Winners
  • 1987/88 - Wiztech League Champions
  • 2008/09 - Division 3 South West Champions
  • 2008/09 - Glamorgan Silver Ball Winners
  • 2014/15 - WRU Youth League Cup Champions
  • 2015/16 - Division 2 West Central Champions

References

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  1. ^ "Wales' regional rugby map". BBC News. BBC. 8 July 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d "History". Thequinsrfc.com. Retrieved 14 April 2014.