Famous faces return to Neath RFC for Good Friday’s benefit game at The Gnoll between Neath RFC Veterans and a Martin Jones Select XV.
Neath RFC are raising funds for their popular former prop forward Martin Jones who is seriously ill and ex-Neath captain Gareth Gravell has gathered together a host of his ex-All Blacks team-mates to play against a Select XV which will be led by Martin’s son Iestyn.
World darts champion Gerwyn Price is among the former Neath stars turning out in a team which includes five ex-Neath RFC captains in former Wales outside-half Arwel Thomas, Gareth Morris, Nicky Downs, Lee Evans and Gareth Gravell himself.
Gareth Gravell said, “We hope as many rugby enthusiasts as possible will come along to support on Friday evening and get the Bank Holiday weekend off to a good start.
“It will probably be the last chance to see a lot of us in action and, with Neath having a blank weekend, we are hoping that the rugby people of Neath, the Neath and Swansea Valleys and beyond come along to watch and boost the fund;.”
NEATH VETERANS – Matthew Nuttall; Gareth James, Luke Ford, Aaron Bramwell, Gareth Morris; Arwel Thomas, Pat Horgan; Nicky Downs, Gerwyn Price, Antony Lott; Euros Evans, Haydn Pugh; Gareth Gravell (capt), Lee Evans, Craig Price
Martin Jones’ XV has a strong upper Swansea Valley element including Ricky Williams, Tristan Davies, Gareth James, Ryan Jones, Leighton Phillips and Cierion Jones while Paul Jones, Leighton Phillips and Neil Edwards, team-mates at Ebbw Vale, will also turn out.
Kick off is at 7.00pm and admission is just £5 payable at the gates.
A special programme (£2) has also been prepared while the hospitality suite is sold out – for the first time since the Aberavon game at Christmas.