Welsh rugby club Tondu RFC, recognised in the Bridgend area as The Waterwheelers, returned triumphantly from their twelve-day rugby tour to the USA’s east coast.

Following an energetic two-year fundraising campaign, 58 tourists finally took to the skies with Aer Lingus to take on rugby challenges in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Atlantic City. This epic tour covering four States saw the players return profitably with an 100% win record against tough opposition, overcoming Worcester RFC 56-34 and a strong Philadelphia Whitemarsh outfit 20-5 in challenging storm conditions.

Managed by MSG’s Huw Jones, the tour’s aims and objectives covered engagement with local communities and visits to iconic sights in each state. As reported heavily across the UK media, Tondu’s entire touring party – led by Wales and British & Irish Lions legend JPR Williams – laid a wreath at the 9/11 Memorial in New York, offering the locals an emotional set of national anthems from both Wales and America.  To date, over 9000 viewed this online video drawing comments from several within the rugby fraternity applauding the Waterwheelers’ touring values.

Club Vice President Alun Brown led the club’s internal fundraising and planning over the two year build up to this iconic trip. “The tour was immense. The squad rallied together to make this dream a reality and it’s made us a tighter unit both on and off the field. We were hosted superbly, especially in Worcester near Boston, and the boys represented Tondu RFC superbly over the 12 days”.