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This ran from 1954-1995 and when it was considered that there was no longer time in the rugby calendar to hold
the event, the Snelling Trophy was handed back to Newport RFC where it was inaugurated.
Reg Snelling, then Chairman of Newport Athletic Club presented the trophy and Newport led by international wing
Ken Jones beat Ebbw Vale 6-0 in the first final at Newport in May 1954. Newport’s team that day was Malcolm
Thomas, Malcolm Quarterly, Dick Sheppard, Graham Ross, Ken Jones, Brian J Jones and Roy Burnett.
Bill Everson of Newport played a big part in the organisation of the tournament and when he died in 1966 a “Player
of the Tournament” Trophy was introduced to perpetuate his name. Fittingly Newport’s David Watkins was the first
ever winner in 1967. Other Newport winners were wingers Steve Pill in 1985 and John Churchill in 1977.
| In the early years Newport reigned supreme and won 9 of the first 14 tournaments and runners-up in another 3 Only failing to reach the final in 1960 when scrum half Billy Watkins was injured and in 1964 when Stuart Watkins, David Watkins and Brian Price were on Wales’s tour to South Africa.
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1962 Snelling 7's Cup winners.
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1963 Snelling 7's Cup winners.
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In 1963 Newport were bidding for a third successive win and came up against Neath in the semi-final. The crowd of 20,000 at Cardiff was evenly divided with a strong Newport contingent shouting “NEWPORT” and the “neutrals” baying for Newport’s blood. Neath led 3-0 at HT with a Dai Morris try and Newport seemed lost as the final whistle approached but a last minute David Watkins try converted by Brian Jones saw Newport into the final against Bridgend who never threatened and Newport completed their hat-trick with a 8-0 win. |
In 1966, Newport played without their British Lions David Watkins, Brian Price and Stuart Watkins but the team
led by Bob Phillips excelled and led 20-15 in the final until a last minute try took the final to extra time. Great 7’s player Tony Williams scored the winning try for Cardiff.
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1967 Snelling 7's Cup Winners
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1967 saw Cardiff with internationals Gerald Davies and Maurice Richards meet Newport in the final in front of a 40,000 crowd. The Newport captain had injured his achilles tendon in the semi-final and was reduced to being a passenger. Newport led 8-0 and then 18-5 but back came Cardiff and the score closed to 18-15 with the final whistle approaching. Newport wing John Anthony then breaks clear and strolls down the touchline towards the Taff End vainly pursued by Cardiff’s Tony Williams. Newport had won 21-15 and David Watkins lifted the trophy and kept his magnificent record of never being on a losing Newport sevens side. |
Newport have produced some great players who have played in the Snelling Sevens including Ken Jones,
Bryn Meredith, Malcolm Thomas, Brian J Jones, Roy Burnett, Glyn Davidge, John Anthony, Gordon Britton,
Bob Prosser, John Jeffrey, Dennis Perrott, Brian Perrins and Brian Price.
Newport’s complete record 1954-1995 :
• Played in 19 finals
• Won 10 finals and runners-up 9 times
• P128 W94 L34 F1709 A1135.
In 1995 the tournament (Worthington Sevens) was held for the last time and the Snelling Trophy is held at
Rodney Parade, Newport - its birthplace - for perpetuity.
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Snelling Sevens Pennants from the Everson Room
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