The 1976/77 season is another when a try scoring record was established when Michael Morgan, yet another wing threequarter, ran in for 5 tries for the 1st XV against Penlan, and success came to the Wanderers seven-a-side squad when they won the plate competition at the District G competition. Following his move into rugby league, Jonathan played for Great Britain, won several caps for Wales and scored 39 tries for the Saints. The Captain’s Dinner is in itself a Club institution. First held in 1959, it is traditionally a dinner hosted by the Club's captain of the season before and is attended by the Players, members of the Committee and whoever the captain decides to invite. The first recipients of these trophies for the season 1971/72 were Wynne Davies who received the President’s Cup and Robert Morgan received the Players’ Trophy.

The Club was particularly pleased in this season when Alun Prosser Harries, who, had by now moved further afield, was selected to captain the Middlesex County Rugby team. Season 1968/69 was certainly a memorable one for Wynne Davies. Having been appointed as captain for the 'A' XV, he became the 'A' XV highest scorer with 48 pts. from a total of 16 tries. In his appearances with the 1 st XV, he had scored a further 7 tries which meant that the record of 22 tries established in 60/61 by Roger Evans, had at last been broken. Wynne's total of23 tries is a record which stands to this day. Here again, it is worthy of note that the try scoring record was broken by yet another wing threequarter. Wynne continued to distinguish himself when, along with scrum half Lincoln Law, he represented the Llanelli and District Junior Union in their cup winning side. Four years later, Matthew was the Club's captain as together with many of the class of '93, he led Glamorgan to their third Championship title. The summer of 1997 also saw Waqar Younis, the great Pakistani fast bowler, play for the Welsh county, and like Viv in 1993, Waqar played an integral role in Glamorgan's title success, delivering a series of match-winning spells, including one at Liverpool as Lancashire were dismissed for just 51. Jim McConnon was another star of the victory over the 1951 Springboks and the tall off-spinner subsequently won a place in the England side. Gilbert Parkhouse also progressed from the county side into the Test team, whilst Allan Watkins continued to be chosen for the English side and provide yeoman service as a senior professional on overseas tours.

Llanelli Wanderers : leuan Jones, Gwyn Williams, Brian Mason, Glyn Jones, Wynne Davies, Eifion Thomas, Peter H. Williams, Keri Jones, Ron Bowen, Dai Jones, Sid Rees, Peter Davies, Eurwyn Griffiths, Terry Rees Parry Davies Once again, the enthusiasm of the membership shone through in its financing and the voluntary spirit was to be the guiding influence in the modernisation of the premises. The Club Architect, Mr. Wynford Lewis, a versatile and notable clubman, was given a free hand and his work was the admiration of all clubs who patronised it. The accommodation included a bar, smoking lounge, a spacious club room and excellent catering facilities. Honours continued to grace the Wanderers when three of its members represented the Royal Navy in the same match. They were Hywel Griffiths, Alan Harries and Hugh Prosser Jones. This memorable event occurred in the 1952/53 season and the Club proudly boasts this event as being a record for a second class club. Such was the enterprise of the Club Committee at this time, and no doubt encouraged by the experience of widening the Club's repertoire to include skittles, it was decided to organise a Boxing Tournament at the Drill Hall in May 1956.

Phillip Johnson and Stephen Pike left the field injured and were replaced by Nigel Parsons and William Davies respectively. After a particularly hard game, the former players XV were defeated by 21 pts. to 10 with Alan Evans having the distinction of scoring the first points on the ground with a penalty goal. A reception was held at the clubhouse after the match which was attended by the many dignitaries present for the opening ceremony, the players, the officials of the Wanderers Club and various other clubs who had been invited to this very special evening in the Club's history. urn:lcp:historyofllanell0000harr:epub:c4f221a7-d106-416c-87ab-cb839a67f636 Foldoutcount 0 Identifier historyofllanell0000harr Identifier-ark ark:/13960/s230ccjkp9f Invoice 1652 Isbn 0906821126 There hangs in the Wanderers Club a portrait of Keri in Wanderers kit. The likeness is so remarkable that it could only have been painted by someone who knew him well. The artist, Owen Saer, who had played alongside Keri for so long as a hooker, paid his tribute in his own distinctive style. These Trophies are presented annually at the Captain's Dinner which normally takes place in the month ofJune. This follows the deliberations of the Club's own "Big 5" who also select the playing officials whose appointments are announced at the same dinner. The "Big 5" meet behind closed doors, and their selections cause great interest in the Club. Of course, each member of the "Big 5" is sworn to secrecy and the announcements of their deliberations is akin to the sighting of the white smoke over the Vatican when a new Pope is appointed. There had been many applications made from which ten had to be selected by the Union’s member clubs by ballot. The Wanderers were notified of their acceptance in November 1977 along with BP Llandarcy, Bonymaen, Bryncoch, Carmarthen Athletic, Dunvant, Furnace United, Mumbles, Resolven and Tonna. These Clubs were the members of the newly formed Section 'E' of the West Wales Rugby Union and the 1978/79 season was to see the introduction of the Wanderers into the West Wales Rugby Union.Following Handel Greville's recall to the Scarlets side, the Club captaincy was bestowed on Huw C. Williams, and the Club's playing record at the end of its first season was certainly something to be proud of:

The summer of 1971 witnessed the Club's Golf Tournament at the Ashburnham Golf Club and coupled with the annual bowling match between the Wanderers and the Llanelli Bowling Club, there was plenty of sporting interest for the membership. Dublin was the destination of the Club's tour in 1958 and as usual, a most enjoyable time was had by all, both on and off the field. The Club achieved a "first" on this tour by taking part in a broadcast by Radio Eire. Notable achievements continued on the field of play with the Club taking the two year ground record of Bridgend Sports Club in December 1955. Further honours were bestowed on four more of the Club's players in 1955/56 season when Ieuan Jones and Howell Morgan were selected to tour South Africa by the Welsh Secondary Schools Rugby Union, FI.Off. Ian McPherson who was serving at the R.A.F. Camp was selected for the Scottish Rugby Union trial matches and K. Pullham was selected for the Welsh Youth trials.The first meeting of the Llanelly Wanderers Rugby Football Club was called to be held on 7th March, 1951 at the Prince of Wales Inn, Hall Street, where there were 10 members present. At that meeting, the following officials were appointed: The Canadians were full of praise for the hospitality shown to them during their stay in Llanelli and went on to Aberystwyth to meet the University of Wales team for a match which, incidentally, was to be the first ever encounter on a rugby field between a British and Canadian University. Both sides regarded the match as an International and the Canadians did extremely well to win by 12 pts. to 3. ( As a postscript to this event it’s worth noting that the match couldn’t be played in Aberystwyth because of a frozen ground, and the game took place in Llanelli on the Grammar School pitch.) The appointment of Eurwyn Griffiths as Club Captain for the 1970171 season established a Club record by his being selected to this office for three consecutive seasons. Alan Prosser Harries; Meredith Evans; Howard Rees; Graham Morse; Howell Davies; Ellis Griffiths; Handel Greville; Howard (Ash) Davies; Robin Williams; Lionel Thomas; Graham Tobias; David Griffiths; John Rowlands; H. D. Williams and D. H. Williams. Among the forwards was a young aspiring prop forward in Howard (Ash) Davies who was destined to captain the town's premier club. The match resulted in victory for the Wanderers by 5-11. The match was reported by the South Wales Evening Post as follows:

The 1966/67 season was one which bestowed a unique distinction on the Wanderers Club when two of the Club's second string were borrowed, on two separate occasions, by Llanelli. They were Roger Howells and Mike Tanner, who made their premier debuts against Newbridge and Pontypridd in midweek matches. The Wanderers maintained their record of being unbeaten on the Continent when in April 1980 they embarked on a tour of Brittany. The accommodation was good, the French wine was fine, the only thing missing was opposition! The organising company had, somehow, got its wires crossed and the touring party returned with their playing kit clean! Jonathan Griffiths in action in the Dave Porter memorial match, at Westhill, Shanklin, last summer. Meanwhile, the Wanderers held their 8th Triennial Dinner with chief guests Dewi Griffiths and Phil Bennett relating their experiences whilst on tour of New Zealand with the 1977 Lions. Phil Bennett, of course, was captain of the tour and Dewi Griffiths was involved in the T.V. coverage of the tour for B.B.C. So popular did the Wanderers tourists of 1958 prove to be, that Dublin was again the destination of the Club's tour in 1960. The Club was invited there as the guests of Glantarf R.F.C., but there is no record of a radio broadcast this time!In the end, Jonathan became somewhat disheartened and decided to follow the legendary Welshman, Jonathan Davies, into the world of rugby league. The Club continued to attract notable personalities of the rugby world to guest at "Smokers" when in February 1966, the Club was delighted to play host to Norman Mair. The first match versus A.S. Poissy, resulted in a fine 21 pts. - 9 victory for the Wanderers with 17 pts. coming from the boot of outside half Geraint Llewellyn. The other match was played against St. Germain en Laye, and the Wanderers must have been feeling the effects of French hospitality as they were trailing by 24 pts. to 3 at half time! Quite what refreshed the team at the interval is not known, but it was sufficient for the Wanderers to achieve a drawn result at 27 points each to maintain the Wanderer's record of being unbeaten on the Continent. St Helens came in for him and he became a full-time professional, having tried to tempt him several times before.