Old Penarthians RFC held a successful luncheon last Friday in a bid to raise money for the Better Life Appeal for Cystic Fibrosis, a charity very close to the club's hearts.

Old Penarthians RFC decided to support the Better Life Appeal this season in recognition of the excellent work that the Unit has achieved with one of the club's popular members, Rhys Goodfellow.

Rhys has received invaluable health care support over many years and was recently the beneficiary of a lungs and liver, double organ transplant in October 2019. Thankfully, the operation has so far proved to be a big success and Rhys is now home, back to work part-time and supporting the 1st XV from the touchline most Saturdays.

Last Friday, on the eve of the Wales v France Six Nations international, Old Penarthians held their inaugural Chairman's Lunch at the clubhouse in St Marks Road.

Rugby Club Chairman, Stephen Clarke, wanted to build on previous fundraising activities for the Better Life Appeal for Cystic Fibrosis, which is the chosen charity that the Club is supporting this season.

In this new venture, Steve wanted to maximise the use of the facilities that the clubhouse has to offer and therefore with the help of some willing volunteers the bar area was transformed into a dining room for eighty-six diners.

News of the Lunch was circulated via Social Media outlets and was quickly sold out.

The catering for the lunch was undertaken by 'Team Cross', led by Helen Cross and supported by mum, dad, sisters and table serving staff and considering the size of the kitchen the food provided was of the highest quality.

The Lunch itself started with a 'Heads & Tails' competition based on the life and times of the Guest Speaker, Gareth Chilcott.

Ross Stephenson won the prize, narrowly overcoming Mike Matthews and David James with the final question, by knowing (guessing) that Gareth was born in 1956, had won 22 English Caps starting with a game against Australia and played against Wales on three occasions (winning none).

Gareth also represented Bath RFC on 373 occasions and in 1989 was selected to tour with the British and Irish Lions to Australia. In an enlightening and humorous speech, he indicated that the coach on that tour, Sir Ian McGeechan, was the best he served under. He also confirmed that he thoroughly enjoyed his role as an enforcer in the 'dirt-trackers' midweek side led by Irishman Donal Lenihan.

He considered himself a very proud Englishman but with a strong connection to Wales through his Welsh-born father and Welsh wife.

He recounted fabled outings against Neath and Pontypool, including the famous front row of Faulkner, Windsor and Price, in front of mid-week sell-out crowds

In a lively question and answer session, he considered that former Cardiff backrower, Bob Lakin, was a better player than his son, the present first XV captain, Rhys; that he had saved the life of Dai Young after a raft capsized in rapids on a Lions rest day; that he would have been a better player if he had been taller and that he would fancy his chances as a prop against any of today's' modern-day players, provided he wasn't 63.

On a more serious point, he congratulated the Club on championing such a worthwhile charity and for supporting Rhys Goodfellow in his recovery from a double organ transplant as he himself had undergone a similar liver transplant three years ago, which he considered life-saving.

Following this speech, an auction of five items was held. Enthusiastic bidders were pleased to take away a framed Real Madrid football shirt signed by Gareth Bale: a framed Wales rugby shirt donated by Rhys Patchell signed by the current Welsh team; a rugby ball donated by Neil Jenkins signed by the Welsh world cup squad: two four-ball rounds of golf at the Vale and hospitality for two at the Wales v France match offered by Kenny Rattenbury of the Wild Water Group.

With the funds raised through a raffle, it is hoped that a donation to the Better Life Appeal will be in excess of £3,000 and it was left to the Chairman to thank all contributors and attendees for making the event such a success.