South Wales Argus chief rugby writer Robin Davey has celebrated 40 years at the newspaper at a champagne reception.

Robin, who covers regional and international rugby as well as writing a weekly column, follows colleague Paul Tully, who went past the 40 year milestone last year.

The occasion was marked by the reception, attended by colleagues and Argus editor Gerry Keighley at the newspaper’s Cardiff Road headquarters.

Robin, (right), joined the Argus in 1965 as a trainee reporter, covering the Western Valley as part of his training, based at Abertillery.

He began his rugby coverage with Newbridge who were in their heyday at the time.

Soon after qualifying as a senior reporter he joined the sports department of the Argus and began writing on Newport and Wales in 1969, the year Newport won the unofficial Welsh Championship title.

He has been reporting on club and country ever since, more recently writing about Newport Gwent Dragons in the Celtic League and Europe when rugby in Wales went regional.

He covered Wales right through the glory days of the 70s when they won the Triple Crown five times and the Grand Slam on three occasions.

He went to New Zealand with the 1977 British Lions when Pontypool and Newport provided seven Lions between them and has since covered World Cups in South Africa and Australia and written about British Lions tours to both countries.

Last season Robin broke through the 200 barrier for internationals he has covered for the Argus.

---

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or e-mail [email protected]