Neath RFC will host Bonymaen in the Welsh Premiership on Boxing Day, December 26 with a 2.30pm kick off – the biggest club game in Wales that day.

Neath’s most traditional post-war Boxing Day opponents have been Aberavon but they have a double-date with Swansea over Christmas so the All Blacks have moved to clinch Christmas entertainment at The Gnoll against opponents who wear similar black and red shirts.

A GREAT OCCASION

Boxing Day at The Gnoll is always a great rugby occasion – last year over 4,000 watched Neath beat Aberavon 24-19; the previous year, nearby Briton Ferry provided the entertainment with over 3,000 in attendance.

While Aberavon have posted most Boxing Day appearances, the tie only became a regular fixture after the Second World War. Between the wars, Neath regularly played London Welsh on Christmas Day followed by Abertillery and London Irish and sometimes Cwmavon, Ebbw Vale, Glamorgan Police, Pontypridd and Western Counties.

Despite the industrial depression of the times, games were invariably well attended.

REMARKABLE RESOLVEN

Resolven were played twice in the 1920’s and on Boxing Day, 1923 drew extraordinary interest locally. The day before, Neath had beaten traditional Christmas Day opponents London Welsh 26-3 and the crowd went home in a good mood.

Most returned the next day when Neath Valley club Resolven were the visitors. And a remarkable attendance reported as 8,000 watched Neath’s 17-3 win as wingers Dai Harris and Ivor Davies got tries as did centre W.R. Smith and captain Ivor Jones kicked two conversions and Eddie Williams dropped a goal.

BONYMAEN BOYS

So now it is Bonymaen who take their turn and it is rather fitting that they do so because Neath RFC and the Parc Mawr side have always got on well – even our new parliamentary constituency is Neath & Swansea East !

Very many Bony players have gone on to play for Neath and Gnoll followers have appreciated the talents of many fine players from a family club which offered up the brotherly talents of the Hastes and the Powells and the Sturgesses.

Few realise that internationals Malcolm Dacey and Richard Webster actually made their first-class debuts for Neath and later full back Darrill Williams also wore the famous Black jersey.

December 26 is always a big day in Neath RFC’s calendar – this year will be too !   MP

IT’S NOT ALL TICKET BUT…

Neath RFC is expecting a big ‘walk up’ on the day. Supporters will be able to pay at the turnstiles and should arrive at 2.15pm at the latest – but, to ease entry it is advisable to pre-book tickets via the Club web-site:  https://neathrfc.com/tickets/