Mumps hits games again

WELSH rugby fixtures have been hit by an outbreak of mumps once again.

Newport v Swansea and all of Abercynon RFC’s senior and youth fixtures have been called off due to illness, following on from the past two weekends that saw Swansea call off successive fixtures against Aberavon and Cardiff.

However, on this occasion, it is Newport, not Swansea, who have been hit by the illness.

A Swansea RFC spokesperson said: “We have learned from Newport they have an isolated case of mumps.

“Having had our own health issues in recent weeks, we fully understand the decision to postpone the match.

“Player welfare and health should always come first.” As for Abercynon, nine players have been affected - with seven seniors and two youth players currently out with suspected cases of the illness after noticing the symptoms in the last fortnight. That left the club having to cancel all of their fixtures from junior rugby right up to the senior side’s clash with Treharris.

“It’s a worry for the club, especially the young players,” said a club spokesperson.

“We’re just trying to do the right thing and isolate the players affected. We’ve got rid of water bottles and disinfected the club.

“Initially, we contacted the Welsh Rugby Union to let them know but they wanted a signed doctor’s certificate as they thought we might be trying to cancel the game for no reason.

“We understood that getting a signed doctor’s certificate can cost £30 and the boys weren’t willing to pay that for a game that should be cancelled anyway.

“But Treharris were brilliant. We contacted them to let them know and they agreed the game shouldn’t go ahead.”