Hope rises from the ashes

A WELSH rugby club has opened its doors for the first time since an electrical fire ravaged much of the clubhouse.

- JACK DAVIES

Penarth RFC after the blaze in December last year

Pints flowed and bacon butties were consumed as people gathered at Penarth RFC to watch Wales take on England in the Six Nations on Saturday, February 7.

As members sat in the only part of the clubhouse that survived the blaze on December 1, 2025, club chairman Sean O'Sullivan called the dismal result for Wales a "double misery.

He added: "The game was awful to watch plus we were watching it in a place that needs rebuilding.

"But there's a camaraderie that comes with that, you know, making do and adversity."

Despite Wales’ 41-point loss to the old enemy, he said the biggest disappointment was having to use outdoor Portaloos.

The fire at the 150-year-old club's main bar destroyed treasured trophies and memorabilia, including an “irreplaceable” springbok head donated by the Barbarians after they beat South Africa in 1961.