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15 January 2024 / Club News

Next TATA Steel

TATA Steel go back to 1908 when the club was historically known as the S.C.O.W, Steel Company of Wales. Like many other rugby clubs during the earlier part of the 20th Century, playing numbers started to dwindle and the Club successfully joined up with a local District side called St Joseph’s Old Boys RFC. This jump settled the Club, and they quickly established themselves. During the next ninety-year period, the side played several friendlies both home and away versus Ystalyfera.

In 1971 SCOW became British Steel, so the side renamed itself as British Steel Port Talbot RFC. Traditionally, although it was generally considered as a "works side", over the years there has been a mistaken belief that the steel industry itself have sponsored the team, which is untrue. Since 1980, the club has been totally self-sufficient due to the work of its committee and sponsors. In 1994 British Steel became founder members of the National League - Division Eight Central 'B’, finishing bottom of the WRU League in 1995-96. Seemingly motivated by this, they finished Division Eight Central ’A' Champions the season after – Ystalyfera losing at Ynysydarren 16-17 and winning 27-5 in Port Talbot that season. Success bred success and Champions of Division Six Central ‘A’ in 1997-98 lifted them into Division Four West. Winning promotion again in 1998-99, British Steel Port Talbot entered Division Three West. In 2002-03 another promotion lifted the side into Division Two, with another name change as Corus Saints RFC (Port Talbot). After establishing themselves, another promotion in 2007 saw the side enter Division One West. In 2011-12 the current name Tata Steel (Port Talbot) RFC was adopted following the demise of Corus (locally the team is still known as "The SCOW"), and a further Championship was won. This set the side up in the National WRU Championship where they have established themselves for the last twelve consecutive seasons. During the COVIT period, Ystalyfera played TATA Steel in 2019-20, winning 20-13 at Ynysydarren, no other fixtures taking place. With normal fixtures resuming in 2022-23, Ystalyfera completed a “double” with a 20-7 win at home and a 48-7 win in Port Talbot. On 13th October 2023, Fera won 32-13 home at Ynysydarren

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