Famous Sporting People - No 13 - Delme Thomas

Delme Thomas – A giant of a rugby player with a real claim to fame at Stradey Park

If ever there was a sports personality who seemed totally unaware of his status in his chosen sport, then to me a strong candidate would be Delme Thomas, the second-row giant who skippered Llanelli RFC (prior to Scarlets’ days) and captained their team to arguably their greatest triumph.

Delme was another Welsh international who arrived at Marley Davies’s Victoria Book Shop in Haverfordwest to sign his autobiography and he relaxed over Marley’s biscuits and cuppa, and genuinely believed that there would be just a handful of old-timers in Bridge Street to have a copy signed. It was co-written by Alan Gibbard and simply entitled ‘Delme - An Autography”, like the subject, no fuss, just good old-fashioned plain speaking!

His part in Welsh Rugby in the 1960s and 70s was immense as he played 25 times for Wales (including the ‘Grand Slam’ in 1971) once as captain, plus three tours with the Lions where he was first-choice second row for two matches each in South Africa and New Zealand. He had earlier played for Wales Youth and what must be remembered is the fact that professional players weren’t around - and he worked out of his home in Bancyfelin as a linesman with the Electricity Board, climbing telegraph poles in all weathers when they needed to be repaired!

A ‘9-3’ scoreline - Immortalised by Max Boyce

But surely, he will be most remembered for his leading of Llanelli in their midweek game against the mighty All Blacks in 1971, when Carwyn James was coach and other Welsh stars included JJ Williams, Phil Bennett, Roy Bergiers, Hefin and Gareth Jenkins, Tommy David and Barry Llewellyn.

The heavy rain turned the pitch into a quagmire and all the New Zealander’s could muster was a penalty by full back Joe Karam as Llanelli took the lead with aa try by centre Bergiers after Bennett’s penalty had rebounded off the crossbar and the centre charged down a clearance attempt and dived on the loose ball. Bennett converted and later full back Andy Hill managed a difficult long-range penalty.

The 22,000 supporters packed into Stradey Park went berserk and so did we as students at Barry Teacher Training College who had packed into the common room to watch. It is still engrained in my brain so I feel, like Max Boyce in his epic poem/song, “I Was There!

Played his part down on the day down

It is on record that Delme had made a moving pre-match speech that inspired his players and when we chatted upstairs in Marley’s book-shop, he was quick to play down his part in the only win against New Zealand by a Welsh club.

He was also a little surprised when an assistant from the shop came up to say that there was quite a queue already formed and I chuckled that when he started signing, and was charming to everyone there, not hurrying them along like I’ve seen stars from other sports do, he signed them all with a black Bic Biro that had its top missing! What a man!

Outside of his rugby, Delme was a passionate Welshman who loved his own language, so it was brilliant when he was invited to attend the National Eisteddfod in Llanelli in 2000 and was honoured by The Gorsedd as he was inducted for his services to the Welsh Language and Sport.

It was a real pleasure to meet such a modest rugby giant as Delme Thomas and his book was a brilliant read - and I would still recommend it to you today!