SNID DAY A SUCCESS

Glyncoch Rugby Club and Glyncoch Community Centre got together last weekend to host a very special day to raise funds for Gareth (Snid) Jones’ family folllowing his horrific injuries playing for Neath against Cardiff in April. Despite the weather, hundreds turned up at the Rugby Club field to support a ladies’ rugby match, between the Centre and the Club, and a 5-a-side football tournament featuring rugby players from all over the valleys. A raffle was held, with top prize of a tumble drier, and signed rugby and football shirts were auctioned.

The rugby match finished in a draw and “man of the match” was number 9 whose shirt announced that she was “Snid”. The football tournament was hard fought, leading to a semi-final defeat for Buttons’ Boys by the Ponty backs and by Max’s Marvels by Snid’s Babes (A) from Beddau. The final champions were, appropriately, Snid’s Babes (A).

While everyone who attended on the day had great fun, the purpose of the day was to raise money and show Glyncoch’s respect for Snid. Right from the start the latter was obvious- everywhere you looked shirts emblazoned with number 9 and Snid’s name were apparent. So far as fundraising was concerned. Glyncoch once again demonstrated that there is no village more generous; the raffle alone raised over a thousand pounds, the barbecue made over £500, and everyone dug really deep at the auction, raising close to £2000. Other items that had been donated will go forward to an auction to be held at Pontypridd Rugby Club at a later date.

Gareth’s father Dai Jones said that the family were “overwhelmed by the level of support” and asked the Observer to thank everyone that turned up on the day, and with special thanks to Jackie and the Committee from the Community centre, and Ali, Dai Brillo, John Mansfield and the barstaff from the Rugby Club for all the hard work they put in to make this day such a great success. He also said “Of course it’s sad that this day was necessary at all, and we would rather it hadn’t been.” A sentiment echoed by all of us

SNID DAY AT GLYNCOCH RFC

It is now over a month since former Pontypridd scrum half Gareth Jones (Snid) sustained a serious neck injury in a game for his current club Neath, against Cardiff. He is still unconscious but his condition is described as stable. Well-wishing rugby fans, players and even referees from all over the world have been visiting Neath and Pontypridd websites to leave messages of hope and concern. Snid's sister Nicola said that his family would like to thank everyone for the concern that they've shown over the last few difficult weeks.

Whilst warming up for Saturday's Konica Minolta cup final against Pontypridd, all the Neath players came out wearing shirts emblazoned with number 9 and Snid's name; in addition their mascots for the day were Courtney, Cole and Connie, Snid's 3 children. Before the match former Welsh outside half Arwel Thomas, who was playing his last ever game, said "Whilst it will be a great day in one way, my thoughts and those of the players on both teams, will be with Gareth and his family. It was a terrible thing to happen and we are all just praying that he will come through. As his half back partner I got to know Snid really well. Best of luck mate, get well soon." There is no doubt that Neath were determined to win this game for Snid, and despite Ponty's best efforts they did so by 28 points to 22, a scoreline that slightly flattered Pontypridd on the day.

Snid is a Glyncoch boy and got his first taste of rugby as a junior player in his home village. This Sunday (May 25) Glyncoch Rugby Club and Glyncoch Community Centre are holding a fundraising day for Snid and his family on the Rugby Club field. The event will probably be the biggest ever staged at the club and will kick off with a Ladies rugby match between the Rugby Club and the Community Centre followed by a 5-aside football competition featuring rugby clubs from all over the valleys. The day will include a sack race, a tug-of-war, a bouncy castle for the kids a darts competition and a barbecue. The clubhouse will also host a show in the evening, making this a 12 hour spectacular with something for everyone. The highlight of the day will be a fund raising auction, with lots already pledged including a signed Welsh rugby ball, signed premiership rugby jerseys, signed posters and programmes from last week’s Konica Minolta cup final and a limited edition Grogg of Ryan Jones- one of just 200 produced.