Sweeney and Raikes reach career milestones
When Pontypridd take on Llandovery at Sardis Road this coming Saturday 24th March, two players will reach significant milestones in their respective club careers – outside half Ceri Sweeney making his 150th appearance and his half back partner Joel Raikes his 100th.
Club historian Alun Granfield pays tribute to the two Ponty stalwarts…
Ceri Sweeney
After the recent Bridgend game at Sardis Road there were a number of former players in the bar under the stand, and it’s always great to reminisce about the ‘good old days’. Quietly chatting with some friends standing at the bar, was another great player from the past – but this one had just come off the field having contributed to our win with a superb exhibition of goal kicking. Ceri Sweeney is now coming up for his 150th game for Pontypridd, and has proved to be one of the best servants that this club has ever had.
Ceri first turned out for Pontypridd on 27th February 1999, as a 19 year old, against Bonymaen in the cup. He went on to play 92 games for our club, the last one being against Ebbw Vale on 9 May 2003 – the last game of the old professional club game in Wales. During this time he scored 22 tries, kicked 43 conversions and 40 penalties, and dropped three goals for a total of 325 points.
Having been capped by Wales at Youth and under 21 levels, it was clear that Ceri was destined for great things in the game. I remember sitting next to Steve Hansen in the stand in 2002 and remarking that Ceri was the likely next No. 10 for the Wales A team. Hansen looked puzzled, and told me that I was setting my targets a bit on the low side. Sure enough, Ceri made his senior international bow in 2003 as a replacement against Italy. He went on to win 35 caps for his country, scoring 88 points.
Following a long and very successful career in professional rugby, Ceri returned to Pontypridd three seasons ago, and I thought that he would probably play out a few games in his last season in rugby. How wrong was I? Three seasons later he is still here, a major force in attack and a rock in defence. His tally is now 40 tries, 143 conversions, 73 penalties, and four dropped goals for a total of 715 points. Thanks for the memories, Ceri, and thanks for your massive contribution to Pontypridd RFC.
Joel Raikes
On 6 October 2012 an eighteen-year-old Joel Raikes made his first appearance for the Pontypridd senior team, and immediately made an impression as a livewire scrum half. Now, six years later, Joel is set to make his 100th appearance for Ponty.
However, Joel was not a newcomer to the club back in 2012, having progressed through the Pontypridd mini and junior ranks before joining Ynysybwl. He was drafted into the Blues age grade system, and won international honours for Wales youth at under 18 level. Joel was brought in on permit from the ‘Bwl in 2012 for a few games, and two seasons later joined us on a senior contract.
Joel is built like the classic scrum half of old, standing tall at 5’ 7” and weighing in at about 12 stones, but this does not prevent him from making a major contribution on the field of play. He is quick about the park, and happy to tackle some of the giants that take the field these days. Like many scrum halves (ask Paul John!) Joel has had to spend a lot of time on the bench, but now has an opportunity to shine.
Still a young player, Joel can now embark upon his second century of games for our club. Well done mate!
