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For 110 years Risca rugby players have been kicking match balls into the River Ebbw
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Memory Lane
For 110 years Risca rugby players have been kicking match balls into the River Ebbw
For 110 years Risca rugby players have been kicking match balls into the River Ebbw. And for the last 50 years or so a pulley system with nets and cages has been neatly catching the balls as they speed downstream. But last year Welsh Water Authority engineers lowered the level of the river and now Risca Rugby Club balls pass three feet beneath the cages and end up, its said, with in Pontypool, or the sea. Risca Rugby Club committee number Mr Ronald Hales with the cage and the winding gear which can longer retrieve balls kicked into the Ebbw. 26th February 1986
Staff
Western Mail Archive
Mirrorpix
Risca
Wales
Media ID 21760598
© Mirrorpix
Caerphilly Cage Equipment River Rugby 1986 Risca
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the longstanding tradition of Risca rugby players kicking match balls into the mighty River Ebbw for over a century. For the past 50 years, an ingenious pulley system with nets and cages has skillfully intercepted these flying projectiles as they raced downstream. However, last year brought an unexpected twist when Welsh Water Authority engineers decided to lower the river's level. As a result, these once-reliable cages now hang three feet above where the balls pass by, leading them astray towards Pontypool or even out to sea. In this snapshot from February 26th, 1986, we see Mr Ronald Hales of the Risca Rugby Club committee standing proudly beside one such cage and its accompanying winding gear. A sense of nostalgia permeates this image as it immortalizes both a beloved sporting ritual and a technological marvel that has sadly fallen short due to unforeseen circumstances. The significance of this photograph lies not only in its depiction of equipment but also in its portrayal of resilience and adaptation. It serves as a poignant reminder that traditions may evolve over time but remain deeply rooted in community spirit. The determination etched on Mr Hales' face reflects his commitment to finding new ways to retrieve those wayward balls lost beneath their intended target. As we delve into this piece from Memory Lane Prints, we are transported back to an era when sportsmanship intertwined with nature's unpredictable forces—a testament to Risca Rugby Club's enduring legacy within Wales' rich sporting tapestry.
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