Waterton Cross, South Wales Police RFC, 1969-2012

In its pomp Waterton Cross was the epicentre of the Welsh game. Now, it houses a long-disused diesel train and shuttle bus that have met similar fates to itself.  

The 1980s were the golden years for South Wales Police RFC, the occupiers of Waterton Cross. Throughout the decade the ground played host to the likes of Bayonne, Bristol and Richmond, not to mention the best of the Welsh game. So when the club withdrew from the National League in 2012 it marked not only the conclusion of a unique story in Welsh club rugby history but also brought down the curtains at one of the game’s classic grounds.

Established in 1969 following the merger of the Glamorgan, Cardiff, Swansea and Merthyr Forces to create the South Wales Constabulary, South Wales Police RFC boasted a wealth of talent that were soon to brand an indelible mark on the club rugby scene. 

Travelling away to face Pontypridd at Ynysangharad Park in their inaugural game they manage to take an early scalp, quickly followed by those of Pembroke County, Penarth and Swansea.

However, it was their first game at their new Bridgend home of Waterton Cross, bestowed previously to the Glamorgan Constabulary, where the police side stamped their name into the history books. 

On 8th October 1969, SouthgWales Police RFC faced the might of Cardiff RFC, a game that drew enough attention to lure the attendance of many faces from the Welsh Rugby Union including the president and the chairman of selectors. The match programme read: ‘Both teams have an enviable reputation for open play, and we are looking forward to what I am sure will be a most enjoyable game – may the better side win.’

This was still before the days organised league rugby existed and so controversially the police side involved players from across the Welsh clubs, including two of Cardiff’s key players in prop Mike Knill and centre Alex Finlayson. 

Against the odds the South Wales Police managed to pull off an incredible 21-15 victory despite losing Huw Jones to injury and having to play 65 minutes a player short, Omri ‘The Bomb’ Jones moving from flanker to play out of position at scrum half.

While the club grew from strength to strength, at one point possessing as many as fourteen Wales internationals including captain Bleddyn Bowen, Waterton Cross was also becoming an important touchpoint for the game in Wales. 

Conveniently placed between the west and the east of the country it began to play host to regular training sessions for the Wales international squad in the golden decade of the 1970s; with the infamous ‘Big Five’ becoming regular visitors. 

Even as recently as the coaching days of Steve Hansen the stadium remained in use as a training base, with its gym facilities still strong enough to support an international side. It would also be the venue for youth trials and finals, with its reputation and importance felt by players of all ages. 

Clubmen had their fingerprints across the ground. For example, when the grandstand was built, it was the carpentry skills of late hooker Colin Hillman that were employed to construct the press box, still red and emblazoned with the police crest. The clubhouse too, where vivacious New Year’s Eve functions were regularly held, endure in the memories of many.

Sadly, both the club and the ground were dealt a fatal blow courtesy of the move to a regional structure. With the neighbouring Bridgend RFC effectively merging with Pontypridd RFC to create the Celtic Warriors, the potential sharing of Waterton Cross with the semi-professional Bridgend Ravens might just have saved the club. However, with the Warriors disbanding after a single season, South Wales Police were left to continue on their downwards trajectory, plummeting further down the league structure.

From top flight rugby in 1992/93 to withdrawing from the system altogether in 2012, the club now only plays in police competitions. They were, however, crowned the National British Police Cup Winners in 2022 – the club that once was may be gone, but there is still success under that old banner.  

As for Waterton Cross, two sets of rusted posts still tower resolutely above the neglected pasture that was once the centre of Welsh rugby excellence. The occasional appearance of Bridgend Athletic is the only sporting action the ground has seen, with police training exercises using the discordant residents of the train and bus all that continues. Still owned by the Police, the land is likely to be sold and become housing in the near future - a bitter end a ground that once brought the country together.