At the recent Neath v Pontypridd game, Neath Rugby Supporters Club’s Len Kowalski bumped into local author, long time Neath Rugby supporter and NRSC member Alan Hughes.

Alan is one of many authors among our ranks and was keen to talk about his new book that had just been pre-released – the official release date is April next year (2016) to coincide with the start of the cricket season.  The Poetic Game is, in Alan’s own words “About cricket, an unashamedly nostalgic and idealised view of the loveliest of summer sporting activities”

For those of you who do not know Alan, he has been a published author for the last 15yrs who has lived almost his entire life in Tonna. Alan is also a lifelong supporter of Neath RFC.

He has written about opera, sport and English literature in various media outlets.

His books include ‘A notch closer’, a semi-autobiographical book of short stories released in 2012. Mostly, but not all about rugby, mostly but not all about Neath RFC.  Another book, ‘Tonna, village of artists’, released in 2014 charted the celebrated and accomplished artists with connections to Tonna.

Now, you may ask what this book about cricket has got to do with Neath Rugby and its supporters. Discounting the fact that it is written by a Neath RFC supporter and that the Neath cricket club ground is right next door to the famous Gnoll rugby ground, there are numerous references to Neath RFC within its pages. Also many of our supporters follow the local cricket scene as well as play in local cricket teams during the summer months and will have an interest in the book.

The Poetic Game in paperback form is on sale behind the bar in the clubhouse at only £5. An ideal stocking filler with Christmas almost upon us. There is a hardback copy too which is priced at £7. Alan has said that he would donate £1 from every sale to the Neath Rugby Supporters Club which is a very nice gesture indeed, thank you.

The book, when officially launched next April, will be on sale at various local outlets. So keep your eyes peeled.