The South Wales Scorpions, known as the South Wales Ironmen in 2017, were a semi-professional rugby league club based in South Wales. They played in the third tier of the British rugby league system between 2010 and 2017 (known during this period as either the Championship 1 or League 1). The team initially played at The Gnoll in Neath, before spells at Caerphilly, Mountain Ash, Maesteg, and Merthyr Tydfil.
Under new ownership, the club relocated to Llanelli effective immediately in July 2017. The following season, they began competing as West Wales Raiders.
History In December 2009, South Wales RLFC was admitted into Championship One for the 2010 season. This followed the relocation of Super League club Crusaders RL from Bridgend to Wrexham. The Scorpions moniker was announced on 22 December.
In 2012, a feeder club for the Scorpions, South Wales Hornets, competed in the National Conference League. The team was disbanded after one season.
Wales Rugby League agreed to take over the running of the Scorpions for the 2014 season after club owner Phil Davies decided to step down.
In 2014, the Scorpions played at Llynfi Road in Maesteg. The club relocated the following year, to Parc Dyffryn Pennar in Mountain Ash, which also served as a training ground. In 2016, the team played at Virginia Park in Caerphilly.
The club was renamed South Wales Ironmen for the 2017 season, coinciding with their move to The Wern, Merthyr Tydfil.
In July 2017, the club was bought by Andrew Thorne, owner of amateur club West Wales Raiders. The Ironmen began using Llanelli's Stebonheath Park as their home ground for the remainder of the season after which the South Wales name was discontinued with the West Wales Raiders replacing them in League 1 in 2018.
Seasons SeasonLeagueChallenge CupOther competitionsRefs Division P W D L F A Pts Pos Play-offs2010Championship 1209011576468346thLost in Elimination play-offscolspan=2 2011Championship 1206014536674228thR3colspan=2 2012Championship 1184014365680169thR4 Championship Cup 2013Championship 1165011368504198thR3 Championship Cup GS2014Championship 1202018304828109thR3colspan=2 2015Championship 12210212741122214thR3 League 1 Cup R12016League 1141013176582213thR3 League 1 Cup R12017League 1151014212654215thR3 League 1 Cup R1
See also
Rugby Football League expansion
References
External links
Wales Rugby League Website