When Crymych Rugby Club first team enjoyed their traditional post-match sing-along after victory at Gowerton there was quite a moving moment because unofficial lead chorister Trystan Griffiths was playing his last game for a while because until Christmas he will be jetting off to Strasbourg, in France, to play the lead role of Taminio in the world-famous opera ‘The Magic Flute’ by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,
 
The opera was first performed in Vienna in 1791, he will be singing in German and so the next few weeks will demand learning all the key singing that is expected of him and many hours of hard work in six weeks’ rehearsals with the Opera National de Rhin, so his leading the Crymych unofficial choir of over 40 in their special renditions of ‘Calon Lan’ and ‘Delilah’ meant even more than usual!
 
So it was doubly nice that he not only created great sounds for everyone’s ears but earlier caught the eye in his on-field role as No 8 in a terrific 25-23 success against a very useful opposition.
 

Involved in rugby since a nipper

 
Now a young-looking 35, Trystan has been involved at Parc Lloyd Thomas, in the shadow of Foel Drygan, since he was a nipper but admits to the fact that he made his rugby debut as a nine year old with Narberth - but was playing for Crymych Juniors right through from the age of 11.
 
Then it was on to youth rugby and then into the First XV as a relative youngster. He then spent two seasons down with Whitland RFC in what was the Championship level at the time but then returned to Crymych before moving to Cardiff for a few years where he turned out for Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd.
 
"I really enjoyed my time with CLWB in Cardiff, “Trystan told us, “training and playing when I could and when I wasn't away on an opera contract. They're a great bunch of boys and a great club, playing a decent standard of rugby as well….they also enjoy a good sing song after games, I would even go as far as saying that they enjoy it even more!" Trystan told us.
 
He also said since returning, " The standard and expectations at Crymych over recent seasons has definitely gone up a notch and commitment is a big part of it. So far this season it looks like it's paying off."



 

A good pre-season and start to this campaign at Parc Lloyd Thomas

 
“At the moment we are doing well in Division One (West) and there is a real buzz about the club where we are mainly locals and all stick together, on and off the field.
 
“For the first time in quite a few years I have been able to take part in all the pre-season training because I’ve been home with my wife Gwen, who gives me every support in all I do, plus our children Efa (three and a half) and Lefi (14 months). I'm hoping that they will be coming out to stay with me during the Christmas holidays.
 
“So I started out this campaign feeling fit and really enjoying my role at No 8 as I’ve linked with scrum half Huw Rees, who is usually the culprit in getting me to get up and start the singing with a solo or two!
 
Ask Trystan about best moments on the field and he would say:
“One of the highlights in the intervening time came when we played in Division Three (West) as we won every match we played and scored a huge number of points, with players of the calibre of former Welsh international prop John Davies, current coach Elgan Vittle, Tom Powell, Simon James, Gareth Davies, Ianto Griffiths just to name a few.
 
“We now play in a higher league of course but that team would definitely give this current team a run for its money. So far this season there's a real ‘feel good’ factor around the squad and it's shown as we've been doing really well against some very tough opponents which is a really positive sign for the rest of the season.”



 

Started his singing at Eisteddfodau – and some great moments since

 
Back on the music front, Trystan began to make his name singing at Eisteddfodau and after one year in London he returned to Cardiff to train at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and has since had fantastic concerts that have included singing at The Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall and also at the Hay on Wye Festival with Sir Bryn Terfel.
 
“That was an especially magical moment because I sang the ‘Pearl Fishers’ Duet with Bryn Terfel, undoubtedly one of my heroes. He was brilliant with me and I will never forget that moment.
 
“Another great moment was singing ‘Calon Lan’ and ‘Delilah’ at the Principality Stadium during half time at a Wales versus South Africa international.
 
“Come January I will be singing ‘The Magic Flute’ for a short while at The Mulhouse Theatre near Strasbourg and then joining the Welsh National Opera and will sing the role again in Cardiff, this time in English, which could be argued is another foreign language because Welsh is my mother tongue!”


 

Good at fitting industrial garage doors – with Kevin!

 
It hasn’t all been plain sailing, however, because inevitably there are fallow periods when a young performer is setting out and Trystan recalls one such time when he broadened his horizons in other areas.
“I spent three years fitting industrial garage doors with former Neath and Wales captain Kevin Phillips and of course we talked a lot about rugby but I also widened my knowledge, especially with regard to the richness of the spoken word!”



 

And finally . . .

 
After his stint with The WNO  it could be that Trystan will return to Crymych and he admits that there is nothing he would like better than to wedge a game of rugby or two back with ‘The Preseli Men’ before the end of the season.
 
“I know I will perhaps have lost a little of my current fitness level but would be happy to help in any way I can.
 
“After the Gowerton victory I stood outside with my dad Eifion and he asked me if I was going to burn my boots on the half way line but I just laughed because I think he knew the answer.
 
“I believe I’ve still got a few more games in me for a club, players and supporters I think the world of so if there is a chance of a few more matches in the Crymych back row I will grab them with both hands!