Neath Port Talbot Steelers
Encyclopedia
Neath Port Talbot Steelers are a rugby league
team based in Port Talbot
, West Glamorgan
. They play in the Welsh Premier
division of the Rugby League Conference
.
.
The club rebranded as Neath Port Talbot Steelers in 2007. The Steelers soldiered through many storms only to record two wins during the league fixtures, however, this was enough to cement a place in the first round of the play-offs. They turned over Torfaen Tigers
to progress to the semi-final against the Titans in Newport. The match against the Titans however, proved to be a bridge too far as the Steelers were well beaten on the day.
The 2008 campaign was to be of a different set of fortunes for the Steelers. A lot of work had been made to see an improvement, with better standing in the league and a step forward, however with much disruption off the field with many players out injured for most, and in some cases, the entire season and a couple away with international duty and losing key backroom staff for some of the season, it took its toll on the field. Only one win was recorded in what was a long and hard fought season.
The 2009 season saw them only one game in the whole campaign. They were struck with ground issues and injuries which led them to have the worst season in history. The junior sides had very good seasons with the U15's winning the league, and the U17's coming runners-up. This will put the Steelers in good sted for the future.
The 2010 season was slow starting due to the league kicking off late as several West Wales clubs failed to complete any fixtures. The steelers narrowly lost the first two fixture against Merthyr Wildcats and Dyffryn Devils, then with a late recruitment push dominated the remaining fixtures with good wins over Torfaen Tigers and revenge over Dyffryn Devils, the Wildacts couldn't play the repeat fixture to union players having commitments. The grand final was the Steelers versus Tigers where the Steelmen won 42-10 at the Gnoll.
.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
team based in Port Talbot
Port Talbot
Port Talbot is a town in Neath Port Talbot, Wales. It had a population of 35,633 in 2001.-History:Port Talbot grew out of the original small port and market town of Aberafan , which belonged to the medieval Lords of Afan. The area of the parish of Margam lying on the west bank of the lower Afan...
, West Glamorgan
West Glamorgan
West Glamorgan is a preserved county and former administrative county of Wales, one of the divisions of the ancient county of Glamorgan.West Glamorgan was created on 1 April 1974, by the Local Government Act 1972 from the county borough of Swansea, the municipal boroughs of Neath and Port Talbot,...
. They play in the Welsh Premier
Rugby League Conference Welsh Premier
The Rugby League Conference Wales is the higher of two Welsh domestic leagues for the sport of rugby league. It forms a Premier division of the Rugby League Conference competition which covers all of Great Britain.-History:...
division of the Rugby League Conference
Rugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
.
History
Aberavon Fighting Irish were formed in 2003 and joined the newly formed Welsh division of the Rugby League ConferenceRugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
.
The club rebranded as Neath Port Talbot Steelers in 2007. The Steelers soldiered through many storms only to record two wins during the league fixtures, however, this was enough to cement a place in the first round of the play-offs. They turned over Torfaen Tigers
Torfaen Tigers
Torfaen Tigers are a rugby league team based in Pontypool, Monmouthshire. They play in the Welsh Premier division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:...
to progress to the semi-final against the Titans in Newport. The match against the Titans however, proved to be a bridge too far as the Steelers were well beaten on the day.
The 2008 campaign was to be of a different set of fortunes for the Steelers. A lot of work had been made to see an improvement, with better standing in the league and a step forward, however with much disruption off the field with many players out injured for most, and in some cases, the entire season and a couple away with international duty and losing key backroom staff for some of the season, it took its toll on the field. Only one win was recorded in what was a long and hard fought season.
The 2009 season saw them only one game in the whole campaign. They were struck with ground issues and injuries which led them to have the worst season in history. The junior sides had very good seasons with the U15's winning the league, and the U17's coming runners-up. This will put the Steelers in good sted for the future.
The 2010 season was slow starting due to the league kicking off late as several West Wales clubs failed to complete any fixtures. The steelers narrowly lost the first two fixture against Merthyr Wildcats and Dyffryn Devils, then with a late recruitment push dominated the remaining fixtures with good wins over Torfaen Tigers and revenge over Dyffryn Devils, the Wildacts couldn't play the repeat fixture to union players having commitments. The grand final was the Steelers versus Tigers where the Steelmen won 42-10 at the Gnoll.
Players earning International Caps while at Aberavon Fighting Irish/Neath Port Talbot Steelers
- Neil DaviesNeil Davies (rugby league)Neil Davies is a Welsh former professional rugby league footballer of the 2000s who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for Aberavon Fighting Irish, playing at , i.e. number 11 or 12.-International honours:...
won a cap(s) for Wales while at Aberavon Fighting Irish 2004…2005 1(2?)-caps + 2-caps (sub)
- Richard Johnson won caps for Wales while at Aberavon Fighting Irish 2005…2006 (3?)4-caps 3(2?)-tries 12(8?)-points
Juniors
Neath Port Talbot Steelers' junior teams take part in the Welsh Conference Junior LeagueWelsh Conference Junior League
The Welsh Conference Junior League is a Welsh rugby league competition competed for at the under-17; under-15 and under-13 age groups. Its adult counter-part is the Rugby League Conference Welsh Premier.-Participating teams:...
.