Members of a Blaenau Gwent rugby team have had cause for celebration as a father and son duo took to the field together for the first time in the club's competitive history.
Terry and Kian O'Brien played for their hometown of Brynithel at the weekend in a 41-5 victory against local rivals Cwmcarn, with both players grabbing a try in the process.
It is an achievement which residents in a small corner of Blaenau Gwent say will live long in the memory of the grassroots rugby team which lies at the very heart of the community.
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The small village of Brynithel, which lies on the southern border of Blaenau Gwent, is known as one of the more isolated areas of the borough, with only one shop and a pub for locals to visit.
Often a quiet place, Saturday afternoon saw many residents cheer on their local team at the David Jayne Recreational Ground.
Having lived in the village all his life, prop forward Terry O'Brien, 38, said to be playing for his home club alongside his 18-year-old son is one of his greatest achievements.
He said: "I've been involved with my home club of Brynithel in one way or other for more than 15 years now as both a player and committee member, so to be able to take to the field this weekend alongside my son Kian was just an amazing experience for me.
"As a club Brynithel is a massive part of the community and very family-orientated as well, so with both of us having lived here all our lives it really makes it special knowing that we're part of that history. While there might not be a great deal going on up here it's a very tight knit place, and on Saturdays everyone will be up on the park to support the local team.
"With everything that's happened throughout the pandemic rugby has been greatly missed over the last 18 months. It's such a big thing for the club members and players from the social side of things, so for me to be able to play again, especially with my son Kian feels absolutely brilliant.
"Not many people will get the chance to share the field with a father or son like we have so we won't be taking it for granted this year.
"To be honest while it is a bit surreal, it doesn't feel that strange to us because Kian has been coming to watch me play and running on with the water for a number of years, and we're used to being around each other in this environment.
"We're father and son but we're friends as well, so when it comes to game time we just want to enjoy ourselves and win. We've got a great team of lads around us here at Brynithel RFC, and the banter we have with the boys is brilliant, so even though I'm 38 that makes me want to play on a bit longer.
"I also have a younger son who's seven years younger than Kian, and he's said he also wants to play alongside the both of us now as well, so that will definitely give me something to aim for over the next few years. Although I hate to admit that I'm getting on in rugby terms, as long as I'm feeling good I think anything is possible."
For son Kian, who works as an apprentice carpenter, he says after spending his teenage years playing football it was the opportunity to play alongside his father which made him change sports.
"I was playing football up until this year, but I've always played rugby in school and followed my father for a number of years," he said.
"With everything that's happened over the course of the pandemic I decided now was as good a time as any to make the switch to rugby and to be able to come into the team alongside my father feels very special.
"It was a bit surreal to be honest, although once I was on the field I didn't really think about it. It was afterwards that it's started to settle in, that after all the years of watching my dad play, I'm now playing alongside him in the same team. I suppose it doesn't happen very often and I know we're both very proud to be on the field together."
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Club chairman Dean Morse, 40, said the pair turning out together for the first time in a competitive match was a special moment for both the club and the village of Brynithel.
He said: "We're all incredibly proud here at the club to have the father son duo of Terry and Kian playing for us at the moment and it's great to have them in the team together.
"Both lads have been born and raised locally in Brynithel where the rugby team is central to the small community, so it means a lot for the club and residents who turn up to watch us every week.
"On behalf of the club I would like to congratulate both of them on their achievement and hope to see them play many more games together as the season progresses."
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