The match had been switched to the Sunday for live S4C coverage and at the final whistle, in the most muted title celebrations, Neath (who lost the game 22-24) were crowned champions – but everyone’s thoughts were with Gareth Jones.
A fortnight later, Neath dedicated their WRU Cup final against Pontypridd to their young scrum-half whose life hung in the balance. The Blacks wore special “Snid” t-shirts for the warm-up and, most fittingly, completed the double with a 28-22 win.
Normally such an achievement would have presaged a summer of celebration … but it was not to be as Gareth Jones passed away on June 16, 2008.