Cardiff Demons were formed in 1997 as an Academy level club, competing in the Lower Division of the Rugby League Academy Competition against young players from professional outfits in the North of England. They amalgamated with the UWIC University side in 1999 to play in the 1999-2000 Rugby League Challenge Cup. This was a great success with Cardiff reaching the third round losing to a much stronger Keighley Cougars side. Due to the success of this great Cup run in 2001, they joined the Central South Division of the Rugby League Conference. Playing at St. Peter’s RUFC, a small club two miles north of the city centre, the Demons succeeded in finishing in a creditable third place and came within seconds of pulling off a major upset at Hemel Hempstead, only to be denied when the highly rated Stags scored a last-second try. Another notable success from the Demons’ inaugural season was the graduation of winger John Breakingbury on to the professional ranks when he signed for Sheffield Eagles. For the 2002 season the Demons moved to the well appointed surroundings of Old Penarthians RUFC in the seaside district of Penarth. Again competing in the Central South Division Cardiff defeated Worcester, Oxford and Gloucestershire home and away to secure the runners up spot. The clashes with Gloucestershire will long be remembered; the Demons won the season opener 44-36 away in a see-saw battle which saw the lead change hands four times, but even that contest was eclipsed by the excitement of the return match. Cardiff squandered a 22-8 lead to trail 28-22 with five minutes remaining. A late converted try and a last minute drop goal from Evan Powell turned the tables to give the Demons an unlikely 29-28 victory. The season was also marked by a visit to the York Nines and an invitation to enter the Rugby League Challenge Cup, which resulted in a memorable trip to play Shaw Cross Sharks of Dewsbury. 2003 saw the Demons go from strength to strength, finishing top of the South West Conference with an excellent record of nine wins and only one defeat, their biggest wins being 90-0 and 100-8, both over local rivals Bristol Sonics. The former was an historic day for the city of Cardiff all round with local football side, Cardiff City beating Bristol City only two hours earlier. The Demons lost in the play-offs to Welsh side, Bridgend Blue Bulls, this match being featured on Sky Sports’ magazine programme, Boots n All. 2003 saw the departure of Aled James. He and Wes Palmer both represented Great Britain students on their tour down under, with Aled signing for Widnes Vikings at the conclusion of this tour. The Demons have produced their first ever Super League player. In 2004, the Demons moved to Taff’s Well and won two trophies. First was the Welsh Shield after beating Newport Titans with a last minute try from Gareth Jones, then beating Thorne Moor Marauders in National Shield despite a strong second-half comeback from the Yorkshiremen. The club has now produced six professional players.

Club Honours

Runners Up, Rugby League Conference Central South Division 2002 season. Represented Wales in the 2002-2003 Rugby League Challenge Cup.

Player Honours

Wes Palmer (age 19), shortlisted for RL Conference Young Player of the Year 2002. Rhondri Thomas, Sion Williams, Aled James, Mark Dando, Anthony Loxton, Richard Singleton, Stuart Singleton, Andy Jones, Pete Moore, Wes Palmer, Pete Gooding, John Byers and Gareth Morgan represented Wales in their victorious "Amateur Four Nations" campaign which culminated in victory over England in Cheltenham (September 2002).