Seniors Head to Cardiff

Senior Tour to Cardiff: Walking Rugby, Team Spirit & a Cracking Clash with Taff’s Well RFC - Sponsored by Helensburgh Carpet Cleaners

This year’s Senior Rugby Tour took the Helensburgh 1XV and 2XV squads down to Cardiff, a city steeped in rugby tradition and the perfect backdrop for a weekend of sport, camaraderie, and plenty of laughs. While there were no international matches on the calendar, the weekend certainly didn’t disappoint.

Walking Rugby Debut

The tour kicked off with something new: a Walking Rugby tournament hosted by Taff’s Well RFC - a first for the Helensburgh seniors. Walking Rugby is a growing variation of the game, designed to keep players of all ages and abilities active, engaged, and connected through the shared love of rugby.

Helensburgh joined forces with Taff’s Well, Pontypool Wizards, Pontycyun Walking Rugby, and Llandaff Chiefs in a round-robin-style tournament. Adapting to the slower pace and unique rules took some time for the boys, especially facing off against seasoned veterans who truly showed how it’s done. But once they found their rhythm, the Helensburgh side put in a solid shift, notching a few tries and embracing the fun, friendship, and spirit of the game. With no winners or losers in Walking Rugby, it was all about the enjoyment and the connections made on and off the pitch.

Match Day Madness

The main fixture of the tour came later that afternoon - and in true tour fashion, plans evolved. Originally set to face Taff’s Well RFC’s mixed Youth & Senior side, the Helensburgh team was bolstered (and occasionally replaced) by new tour mates Abbeyfeale RFC, who stepped up after a few sociable drinks the night before.

In keeping with the light-hearted spirit of the tour, players swapped positions, with forwards lining up in the backs and vice versa. Taff’s Well’s youthful squad came out strong, taking advantage of their pace to notch several tries in the first half. But Helensburgh responded in kind, with second-half tries from Michael Welsh and Warren Smith, and further efforts from Abbeyfeale guests.

With the score at 32–28 in the final minutes, Helensburgh were just four points adrift. A promising last attack saw them 10 metres from the try line, only for a knock-on to cruelly end hopes of a comeback. A narrow loss, but a performance full of heart and humour.

Thanks & Acknowledgements

A huge thank you to Taff’s Well RFC for their fantastic hospitality, and to Abbeyfeale RFC for joining in and truly embracing the spirit of the game. Finally, sincere thanks to our tour sponsor, Helensburgh Carpet Cleaners, for supporting another unforgettable trip.