That Rugby team from Tiger Bay, by Arthur Duarte

Below is a brilliant (and lengthy!) poem recently written by Arthur Duarte (one of the founding players of the 1946 side). This is what the CIAC legend is all about ...

That Rugby team from Tiger Bay, by Arthur Duarte

Cardiff International Athletic Club



We were formed in Nineteen Forty Six
And played our rugby just for kicks
UNUS ET IDEM was on our crest
To be just that we did our best
One and the same was it meant
To be just that was always our intent
James and Neil and Sullivan
All were players when it began
There were many more I could go on and on
Like George Percy, Fred Campbell and Sammy John
Others came to run and pass
The Acties, Ernests and Billy Douglas.

When we went up the valleys to play
You are not Internationals they would say
You’re THAT RUGBY TEAM FROM TIGER BAY
As we sat in the clubhouse after the game
And tried to explain why we had than name
So when our story it unfurled
That our fathers came from all around the world
It’s a good name for you they then would say
And we do like the way you play.

We put our rugby to the test
As far as Hendy in the west
Tried to be true to our style
Whether in Cefn Cribbwr or the Dingle at Pyle
Rugby League scouts followed wherever we went
Be it Tondu or Blaenau Gwent
Some of them could tell the tale
How we gave them the slip in Ebbw Vale.

Magic rugby players we did groom
Like Boston, Freeman and Willicombe
They went north to ply their trade
We are mighty proud that they made the grade
International players trod the same road
But failed to make it in that code.

Most of our players were from the bay
And South Church St. School where they learned to play
Sievewright, Phillips, Nogan and Austin
Players you could put your trust in
Some they came from other places
But always welcome were new faces
A Newtown boy was John O’Connor
He wore our jersey with pride and honour
Stretch Williams, Phil Collins and Davy Maunder
Played for us all around the Rhondda
I must not forget a prop we had
Was there all through the good and bad
Got on with the game without much fuss
His name was Eustace but we called him Gus
Even footballers came on board
Like “Hooky” Harris and “Dango” Ford.

When we marched in that demonstration
There were rumblings and accusations
But we were there for what we stood
And thought that it would do some good
Our colours they were black and white
And for what that signified we would fight
We are proud that we stood tall that day
Along with other people from the bay
We didn’t think that it was right
Not to be able to play for your country
If you weren’t white
Now there is no segregation
They are known the world over as the RAINBOW NATION
If things had not been turned around
Bryan Habanna would not be found
Parading his talent on the world stage
Like a cheetah just released from its cage
We are not trying to claim any credit
But we are proud that we were there to do our bit
Everyone connected with the CIAC side
Walk with your head held high and filled with pride.

South Church St. School was down and gone
Where would our future players come from
It was plain for everyone to see
That school had been our Academy
Soon on our faces would be a smile
For not very far, about half a mile
Was a school called Clarence Road
Where we would get players by the load
Carpin, Kuck the Murrell’s and Pengelly
And from Adamsdown came Billy Kelly
What a journey they took us on
Under the captaincy of Phillip John

Eleven times they won the Mallet Cup
The club was on the up and up
And “Bonzo” John was doing fine
His winner’s trophies counted up to nine
There were clever backs for all to see
And the lineout skills of Jimmy Corsi
I am proud of this new generation
Who followed in the founders’ creation
He running game is what we played
And the showed us of what they were made
They also played at 7-a-side
What they won at that filled us with pride.

I have already mentioned “Dango” Ford
But there were many more, in fact there were loads and loads
As one joker once said to me
The CIAC has more Fords than the motor company
In recent years within this club
Larry has been right there at the hub
Another name that rhymes with Ford
Is our won Mr Teflon “Tiger” Borde
Someon who has been with us for quite some time
I’ll have to try and make his name rhyme
No it’s not another Ford
It’s “Scatter”, known as Keith Huxford.

Many have served this club in spades
Big Jack, Michael Sunni and Elvin Blades
Trotmans have been with the club since way back when
They served us well and both of them named Ken
They came from the West Indies I know not where
Carl Smith and his brothers from Loudoun Square
Santos, Silva, Soares, Brito, Duarte and Rodrigues
People all called them Portugese
So just in case you haven’t heard
Their fathers came from the islands of Cape Verde
Reggie and Nellie I remember them both
And George Hoskins and his brothers who came from Roath
“Biffo”, “Jonah” and “Tinman” too
Joined us to show what they could do
There are so many names I could go on and on
Alan Robertson, “Jonno”, Patrick Venn and Russell John
Before I finish this preamble
Let’s not forget Frank Parris, Roger Clarke and Stuart Campbell
So if you meet me in the street
Don’t rant and rage and stamp your feet
If your name has been left out
Please don’t punch me on the snout.

It is time to close and I would like to say
To the players of the present day
When your playing days are gone
And you no longer put that jersey on
I hope just like me you will have the pleasure
Of memories that you can treasure
Of the games you’ve played
And the friends you’ve made
Not just the old familiar faces
Who were there when you first tied your laces
But the players who came from other places.

PARTLY because of demonstrations like we went on
Apartheid now is dead and gone
So when you play your next game
Just be proud of the CIAC name
And never forget from where it came
I may be no longer there
But that does not mean that I don’t care.


Arthur Duarte – 1 August 2009