| | Hi,
My name is Gareth Morris and I now live in Perth Western Australia. I was just surfing the web and came across the St Joseph’s site. This took me back some years.
In the 60’s I played for Senghenydd RFC prior to joining the Prison Service in 1971. During my time in Cardiff (1971 – 1981) I played several sports with the prison staff team including rugby. I also played on the wing for Glamorgan Wanderers 2nd XV during the mid 70’s.
In the mid 70’s a Senior Officer in Cardiff Prison (Maurice Cody) approached me and asked if I fancied a game of ‘seven’s’ for St Joseph’s RFC. I was asked on the Tuesday as the sevens were being played on the following Saturday. Not fully knowing what the tournament was I was told to report to the Club House on the Saturday morning. It wasn’t until I got to the ground that I realised this was not simply a ‘knockabout’ round of sevens but in fact was the Old Penarthians Seven’s Tournament.
Just prior to the commencement of the tournament I noticed some players from Senghenydd RFC who were to represent Caerphilly Grammar School Old Boys. (CGSOB) With them they had a player named David “Dai’ Morgan. (this bloke could shift!!) Although I had played on the wing in the 60’s I was to play prop this day and no way could I catch Dai Morgan, so I just mentioned that I could not remember Dai Morgan being from Caerphilly Grammar School. (I omitted to mention I was not in fact a registered St Joseph’s player at that time) I was then informed he was only visiting with the team!!!! (I doubt he brought his kit bag to keep his cool drinks in!!)
We played Caerphilly Grammar School Old Boys in the first round. It was a tight game and as I remember it was still 3 – 3 late into the second half. I can remember being given the ball deep in our own half and told to run. (Nice gesture I thought) As I ran I was hit be two CGSOB players and I think it was at that point I got an injury. I went through their tackles and off up the touch line, I went with Mervyn John (ex Senghenydd %26 Cardiff wing forward) on my tail. I managed to go over in the corner. Shortly after that the final whistle went. With my side being painful from the tackle I went to sit down. The next thing I knew I was in CRI with a broken rib and concussion, and it is there I spent the remainder of the Saturday and most of the following day.
What a great site to be sitting in the ward of CRI and on the Saturday evening in walked the team with the Old Penarthians Sevens Trophy. That did dull the pain somewhat.
The following Saturday I was lucky enough to re-unite with the team at the clubs presentation Awards night held above the then Capitol Cinema in Queens St Cardiff.
To this day I still wonder if by me making comment about Dai Morgan not being a CGSOB and then I go and represent St Joseph’s was the Good Lord paying me back by breaking my rib...........whatever it was I didn’t have to chase Dai Morgan !!!!!!
It is good to see that St Joseph’s are still going strong and from the site it seems the club is positive and forward thinking.
Just thought I would share this little bit of St Joseph’s history with you, as for the club to win the Old Penarthians Sevens during the 70’s was a huge achievement with the standard of player from major clubs representing their ‘mother’ clubs. I believe the only other sevens tournament that was bigger than this was the then Snelling Sevens.
Best Wishes to all the past, present and future members of St Joseph’s. I am glad I was able to wear the St Joseph’s jersey that day.
Best Wishes from Oz,
Gareth Morris.
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