Scarlett, Jim

Jim played his first game for the club on 26^th January 1988, but only played two games that season. However, he joined the club from Beddau the following season, and immediately made his mark as a mobile and aggressive lock.

He became one of the first names on the team sheet for the next two seasons, and a great favourite with the ‘bob bank’.

His beard, flowing hair and socks around his ankles a la Français made Jim instantly recognisable every time he took the field. Unfortunately his aggression and high visibility often brought him to the attention of Welsh referees.

The style of play favoured by the coaches at the time also meant that the club came under close scrutiny, and Big Jim was an easy target for officials.

On 22^nd September 1990 we went down to Stradey Park to play Llanelli for the first ever league game, and also the first match with Llanelli since the infamous Cup game in January 1989.

At the beginning of the second half Jim waved an innocuous boot in the direction of a Llanelli player on the wrong side of a ruck, and it was another red card for him. He did not play for Pontypridd again that season or the next, and when he came back in November 1992 his heart was never really in the game again. He only played 27 games in two seasons, and then drifted away from rugby altogether.

So, altogether, Jim Scarlett only played 97 games for Pontypridd over five full seasons, and scored 23 tries. He should have played double that number, had he not been so badly treated by referees in Wales.

Big Jim was a gentleman off the field, a thoroughly nice fellow. On the field he was hard but not dirty. Yes, he lost his cool at times, but was much more sinned against than sinner.