Blaenavon RFC Chairman's XV 0- Newport RFC 28

A CROWD of 150 people were at the Blaenavon Recreation Ground to watch the game in aid of the Ken Jones Memorial Fund.

The Ken Jones Memorial Match saw the home side take on Newport in an effort to raise funds for the Ken Jones statue .

The night raised £618.50, which sees the total nearing the £15,000 mark.

The game was scheduled for August 7, as it is around the time that Mr Jones was awarded a silver medal as part of the 4x100 relay squad in the 1948 London Olympic games.

Spectator, Dai Williams, from Newport, said: "It's nice to see a Newport legend recognised. "I hope that they can pull the statue off. I came to show my support to Newport and to the appeal."

Johnny May, from Llantarnam, added: "Considering the weather and the fact that it's competing with the Olympics, it has fetched in quite a crowd."

In the opening 10 minutes all the play was in the Newport half. Newport forced play back into the Blaenavon 25 and up to 5m of the Blaenavon line. Blaenavon put in a good scrum and the ball was cleared by scrum half Gareth Betts. At half time there was no score. Within minutes of the re-start Newport scored an interception try and converted it and after 5 minutes scored their second. A penalty try took Newport further into the lead. After half an hour Newport scored their fourth converted try. With 10 minutes remaining the Blaenavon backs continued to try attacking moves but could not get any points on the board before the end of the game.

Amongst the crowd was Newport legend Dai Watkins who has backed the Ken Jones statue appeal from the start.

Speaking to the Free Press in 2011, Mr Watkins said: "Ken Jones is Wales' greatest all round sportsman. Ken played club rugby for Newport from 1946 to 1958, thrilled spectators with his speed and guile.

"Among that record of tries was the winning effort for Wales in 1953 against the mighty All Blacks. Simply the best."

The Ken Jones Memorial Fund Committee would like to thank Newport RFC, David Watkins and Dennis Bennett for there much-valued support for the fund.

Councillor Alan Jones, who is also Blaenavon RFC chairman said: "I would like to thank Newport RFC for coming to Blaenavon in the memory of Ken Jones. "We had a good night, although we were unlucky on the pitch, it was a good game and in the first half the Blaenavon boys held their own and ultimately we raised funds for the appeal."

To donate to the appeal, cheques need to be made out to Ken Jones Memorial Fund and posted to the care of Lewis Freeman at 52 Thornhill Close, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, NP44 5TQ.