IN LATE May 1997, Aberavon finished the season as champions of the Welsh Second Division, a crushing win at Ystradgynlais edging them one point clear of runners-up, Llandovery.
The players and their coach, the late Glen Ball, expected someone from the WRU to arrive at any minute with the trophy.
They waited until they could wait no more and left empty-handed.
The prospect of another trophy during that chaotic season had already vanished into thin air when the Anglo-Welsh Cup bit the dust.
“A number of big wins put Aberavon in strong contention but the competition never came close to finis...