Neath break new ground on Saturday with a first-ever home game against Royal Wootton Bassett RFC – and one man keenly looking forward to the event more than most is the visitors’ chairman Chris Elias.

 It will be a proud day for Chris who is very much a man of Neath – a product of Alderman Davies’ School and Dwr-y-Felin Comprehensive School where he was an energetic 1st XV flanker in the mid-1970’s.

 Many Neath RFC supporters will remember Chris’ father Bryn who for many years controlled the main gate at the grandstand. Often mistakenly confused as Arthur Bowden’s brother, Bryn (like Arthur) did a lot of valuable, unseen work for Neath RFC where the pair are greatly missed.

 Chris is obviously a chip off the old block for he is the long-serving chairman of Royal Wootton Bassett RFC and has been one of the people behind their rise up through the English National leagues to their present status in the top section in the South West where they play sides like Lydney, Devonport Services and down into South Devon and deepest Cornwall.

 Last week’s visitors to Neath, London Welsh, were in the same division a couple of years ago so Royal Wootton Bassett will clearly present Neath with a strong challenge.

 Chris did not, however, have anything to do with the club’s colours which predate him – but it is entirely fitting that he should be chairman of a team known as the “Wiltshire All Blacks” !

 Royal Wootton Bassett are bringing two teams to Neath – at the same time as the 1sts are in action at The Gnoll, their 2nd XV will take on Neath Athletic at Court Herbert.

 Both games will kick off at 3.00pm – and it is a fair bet that a number of Chris’ schoolday contemporaries of the late 1970’s will be there at The Gnoll to greet him and RWB RFC.