The first half of the big weekend at The Lextan Gnoll in Neath is the JES senior Rugby League Conference Grand Finals day, with three matches, culminating in the senior men’s final between Aberavon Fighting Irish and South Wales Jets (kick-off 3.30pm).
It’s the third year in a row that the two sides have met in the end-of-season showpiece, the 22nd edition of the Welsh Grand Final.
Two years ago, the Jets overcame Aberavon 27-21 in what was their first season as club. Then, last year, Aberavon’s kicking saw them through, as they won 21-18 to inflict the Jets’ first-ever defeat in the Welsh system and win their first-ever trophy.
Whilst the Jets went in as favourites last year, on this occasion, it’s the reverse, as it’s Aberavon who have the one hundred percent record and have been lethal in most of their wins, running in 64 tries in their eight matches.
Aberavon’s closest encounters were their matches against the Jets, winning 34-24 in the first game of the season, then 34-22 in Cardiff as part of the very successful “Summer Smash“.
For the Jets, this will be their sixth match in the campaign, with every game being played at different grounds, having given up home advantage for “Summer Smash” and moving the Bridgend Blue Bulls game to Ammanford for “Jets Fest“, another outstanding day that was organised to promote rugby league in the west.
It has been a very successful season for South Wales Jets as a club. They have reached every final in every competition that they’ve entered, already taking one trophy last week after they won the U12s Grand Final, but losing out in the 13s and 14s.
They will have a chance to win two trophies this Saturday, as their U18s will take on Bridgend at 11am in the first final of the day. Bridgend also have a chance of a double as they then continue at 1pm, taking on Aber Valley Wolves in the U16s encounter.
It’s the end of a very successful season for junior rugby league in Wales, which saw nearly 3,000 children take part in age groups ranging from U8 to U18.
Tickets for the whole day can be bought by going to https://ticketpass.org/o/324959259/wales-rugby-league/events. All tickets must be bought on the app or website and can be saved to a phone’s Google Wallet or equivalent. No cash or cards will be taken on the gate.
