Neath RFC is saddened to hear of the death of former lock forward David Mathias after a long illness.

David graduated from New Dock Stars and made his debut for Neath in 1976/77, playing just the one game – the first of the season, a 29-13 win over Abertillery when he had the misfortune to be injured and replaced by Chris Lee (see below).

He returned in 1977/78 and in the next two seasons advanced his tally to 30 games and served the Club well – often in partnership with Robert Hughes – and he was well thought of at The Gnoll as a hard-working second row.

In 1979, he went back to New Dock Stars and Llanelli.

* The team in David’s first game was :- Wynne Davies (captain); Elgan Rees, Don Davies, David Cole, Alan Rose; Peter Davies, Ricky Rees; David Lewis, Mike Richards, Malcolm Arnall; David Mathias (Chris Lee), Robert Hughes; Dennis Davey, Wilson Lauder. Clive Hopkins   MP