Last Friday evening, Narberth Rugby Club celebrated, in a packed clubhouse, a 'Former Captains Night'. Twenty-one former captains were traced and invited to contact players of their era to come together to celebrate 130 years of Narberth RFC. What a truly successful and enjoyable evening it turned out to be.

The club captains attending were John Owen, Richard (Stag) Jones, Steve Martin, Simon Davies, Justin Hughes, John Mathias, Norman Williams, Andrew Phillips, Chris Macdonald, Geraint Bowen, Roger Price, Bill Phillips, Ieuan Evans, Towyn Evans, Morlais Davies, Elwyn (Pask) Harries, Tony Davies and Allan Phillips.

Initially organised by current 1st XV manager Robert Lewis, he was helped by colleagues and especially club steward, Anne Lonsdale. A number of captains were given a table to look after for the evening. Amongst the former players attending were players from 1948/49, namely Bill Phillips and Terry Griffiths, the 1950s Mike Powell and Norman Williams and from each decade right up to the present day.

As the guests entered the main function room, they were able to view a presentation on the large screen, of filmed highlights from the various years, which was replayed during the evening. The DVD presentation was put together by Clr. Robert Lewis. As the gathering grew, faces were recognised and quickly old friends came together and the reminiscing and renewing of fellowship commenced..

Each table had a leader and a list displayed at the room entrance identified where everyone was to sit. When called to the tables, Robert (Basher) Lewis asked for a moment's silence to remember those who could not attend, through illness and those who are no longer with us. Robert then welcomed the captains, former and present players and representatives from the current officers, committee, patrons, vice-presidents and member supporters.

Robert (Basher) Lewis followed with a keynote speech, referring back to earlier times and how the club had moved forward to become today, a top 20 club in Welsh rugby. He explained, particularly to those associated with the earlier times, how important individual support was to the club today, through sponsorship, patrons, vice-presidents, members and supporters and working on committees.

Referring to sponsors, he mentioned Young Brothers, in particular the late Mansel Young, for support over many years and in more recent times and currently, the tremendous and important sponsorship given by G. D. Harries and Sons Ltd, in particular Ian Harries, who clearly enjoyed fellowship at his club with friends on match days and supporting his local club.

Basher referred to the importance of the financial support needed for the present club. This support came in many ways, besides the main sponsor, including perimeter boards advertising the different businesses and via the match programme. Importantly, he indicated how valuable it was to have the match sponsorships and for the ball sponsors and how supportive it was when members organised their own groups for ball sponsorship. This support enabled the club, via the coaches and players, to achieve the success now enjoyed in the WRU Championship League and to be a top Welsh club.

Basher went on to explain a challenge during this special celebration evening. Each person had a task, to select the best Narberth team pre-Heineken and post-Heineken and for table leaders to co-ordinate their results. This proved a challenging task and tested the memories of those present, causing some debate on each table regarding their selection.

Basher ended by appealing to those present to continue to support the club to maintain its current status within Welsh rugby, either on committee or in some form of sponsorship, perhaps organising a table of friends on match days.

Then served by smartly attired waiters (Under 16 squad), all enjoyed an excellent three-course meal, planned, prepared and served by Anne Lonsdale and her special team of waiters. Anne can be proud for her part in the success of the evening.

Another innovation was the raffle via donations sealed in envelopes. The winners were: money prize x5 the value of donation - Iestyn Evans; 12 months gents haircut at Utopia - Tim Simons; Scarlets match tickets - president Dorian Howells; a round of golf at Heatherton - Jeff Jenkins; racing at Ffos Las - Elwyn (Pask) Harries; and finally signed Dragons ball - Tom Slater.

Current chairman John Owen spoke initially and amusingly about the development of coaches, not a feature for some of the older former players present. A few coaches were present - Davis Harris, who often chose 14 players and was then able to slot into the team; Jeff Hodder, who coached in the centenary year 1982/83, when the club won both the Pembrokeshire KO Cup and League, setting them off to a good start with the WRU Leagues.

An earlier coach was Dr. John Davies and a little later, the late Dr. Meurig Thomas, who coached the Pembrokeshire Knock Out Cup winning team in 1980/81. Several of that team were present that evening.

The current coaching team of Jon Dodd, Sean Gale and Roger Davies spend many hours analysing and discussing various team performance matters, as well as onfield coaching.

Claiming to have used the computer, John Owen announced the best pre and post-Heineken teams.

Pre-Heineken - Geraint Bowen, Robert (Basher) Lewis, Des Thomas, Wyn Davies, Andrew Phillips, Clive James, Adrian Young, Brian Williams, Meurig Thomas, Dorian Phillips, Dai Perkins, John Owen, Nigel Bevan, Richard (Stag) Jones and Roger Price.

Post-Heineken: Roger Davies, Colin Phillips, Ivan Jones, Steve Martin, Andrew Young, Simon Daniels, Chris Macdonald, Justin Hughes, Dan Hughes, Sean Lloyd, Emori Katalau, John Winwood, Alan Reynolds, Simon Davies and Rhodri Jones.

It was then announced that Arwyn Bowen had achieved the nearest selection in only failing with three names to name the same selected XVs.

Clive James, not to be outdone, came up with his own controversial selection to end the formalities.

By midnight, the older former players had left contented and happy, having spent time with memories of yesteryear, but the function room was still fairly full with those remaining deep in conversation enjoying the remainder of the occasion, which they did for several hours. It was indeed an amazing and most enjoyable occasion which needs to be repeated sometime in the future. It really was a memorable celebration of 130 years of rugby at Narberth RFC.