The Lextan Gnoll has been used for rugby league since 2010 and our media manager/historian Ian Golden has been there at most of them. Here’s his “Six of the Best at The Gnoll” in preparation for our next big event, which is Wales v Jamaica on Tuesday (kick-off 7.30pm).
1 The first game – South Wales Scorpions 22-20 Workington Town – 28 February 2010
South Wales Scorpions had only just been set up after Crusaders’ sudden move to Wrexham. The idea was to keep semi-professional rugby league going in the south of Wales and get the players through the system, ready for Super League. For the two years that Crusaders were in Super League in Wrexham, this worked and a Scorpions side, packed with dual registration and loan players from Crusaders narrowly beat Workington Town in their first-ever match with Lloyd White hitting the winning penalty with a few minutes to go.
2 Future Welsh stars win a trophy and Scorpions qualify for the play-offs – 15 August 2010
Curtis Davies lifted the trophy, his brother Connor standing by him and a youngster by the name of Regan Grace stood at the end of the picture. All were picking up their first winners medals as Wales U14 Grand Final winners with NPT Steelers. But this was just one half of a memorable day at The Gnoll in Neath in front of nearly 700 fans, where an Anthony Seibold-coached South Wales Scorpions qualified for the RFL Championship 1 play-offs.
3 Wales 31-30 Ireland – The race for the Four Nations – 17 October 2010
It was a big year on the international circuit. Wales, Ireland, Scotland and France were competing in the European Championships and the winner of the group would go on to the 2011 Four Nations in England. France were given all three of their games at home and were hot favourites to go through. France beat Ireland in their first match and Wales beat Scotland, so it was important that Wales beat Ireland in round two. It was close and it took a Lee Briers dro-goal on 75 minutes to give Wales a seven-point lead, which was needed as Ireland had the last say with a minute to go. It set up a winner takes all match in Albi the week after and with a touch of deja vu, Lloyd White kicked the winning penalty in the last 10 minutes to give Wales a shock win. It can be done.
4 A Wales double-header as the women launch – 26 October 2019
After only forming a few weeks before, Wales Women played their first ever international match at The Lextan Gnoll. It was defeat, in a friendly against Great Britain Teachers, but the seeds were sown and now, less than five years’ later, our women’s side have qualified for the next Rugby League World Cup. This was a double header of matches in 2019, with Wales Dragonhearts also playing, beating South of England Lionhearts 26-20.
5 Wales U16 clinch the Four Nations – 3 August 2024
A quick flashback to earlier this year. Wales U16s had won two games in a row and just needed to beat England to clinch the Four Nations title for the second year in succession. And this was done with ease as Wales won 32-10 after being 12-points up at the break. England were flattered to get the 10 and the future of international rugby league is looking good.
6. Grand Finals Day – 18 August 2024
Over 1,500 people were in Neath to witness one of the most entertaining WRL Grand Finals Day 9f all time, headlined by a 21-18 win for Aberavon Fighting Irish over previously unbeaten South Wales Jets. Swansea Rams took the U16 trophy, Cynon Valley Cavaliers the U14s and U13s, and South Wales Jets the U12s. It was a long day but it a memorable one, highlighting community rugby league in Wales at its best.