IT couldn't have worked out better as Rod Snow marked his final game at Rodney Parade after ten years by scoring the first try for his own side and the last for the Dragons in this bonanza of a testimonial match.

It was pure nostalgia as Snow took his leave before returning to his native Newfoundland in front of 4,000 rapturous fans who defied heavy rain and the counter-attraction of the FA Cup final to salute the loyal player who has become a Rodney Parade icon.

The match was pretty much a knockabout affair, graced by former greats like Gary Teichmann and Shane Howarth, and after it was all over Snow took the microphone and addressed the crowd.

Running out through the rain and gathering storm and a guard of honour provided by Newport HSOB and Pill Harriers youngsters, Snow found it almost too much to bear.

Clutching 18-month-old son Dakota both before and after, he saluted the fans, who responded by chanting "Snowy, Snowy". "I'd like to thank everyone for making a special effort and for the players who flew in from around the world," he said.

"I'd like to thank the people who helped make my life here and the supporters club for their incredible generosity in giving me so much. But a £3,000 cheque is not warranted and we will find a special charity to donate it to."

Almost an hour later Snow was still out on the pitch with a group of friends from Newfoundland, who made the trip especially for the occasion.

But he was still choked, tears in his eyes and unable to speak until he composed himself.

"I'm still emotional, it's all been pretty humbling," he said. "It's incredibly tough to leave, but it's only a four- or five-hour flight away and I hope to be back during the Six Nations.

"The game was everything I'd hoped for, it was fun and played in a great spirit and I was happy no-one got injured."

Almost as nostalgic as the occasion was the sight of Teichmann and Howarth stepping out at Rodney Parade one more time, Teichmann after making the long flight from South Africa only the day before and already back in his native land.

That was some effort and he was also rightly saluted by the fans, as was Howarth, who played almost the entire game, though his initial appearance lasted only minutes as his pass was intercepted for a Dragons try by Ben Breeze and he was promptly hauled off.

It was that sort of game, a very friendly affair, never better illustrated than Snow's final try, when opposition players literally fell off him to leave a clear path to the line.

But touches were still shown by Teichmann as he picked up at the back of a scrum and swept over, while Howarth's touches were evident, not to mention his kicking prowess as he edged the half-time kicking contest against former record-holders, a rotund Gareth Rees and new Dragons coach Paul Turner, who also showed what he can do with a rugby ball.

Peter Buxton and Ceri Jones both showed the benefit of regular Zurich Premiership rugby, former Newport giants David Waters and Rhys Morgan made an appearance, Breeze weighed in with a hat trick of tries, Matt Mostyn zipped over for a pair and Connacht team-mate Bernard Jackman left straight after the game to drive to Fishguard to catch the first available ferry back to Ireland because their was no suitable flight.

That he turned up at all under those circumstances said it all.

There was plenty of youth around, too, and of the premier division talent the Dragons are hoping to tap into, Newport backs Richard Payne and Gareth Chapman and Pontypool back-row forward Andrew Coombs looked the best prospects.

As significant as the match and the personalities taking part was the final appearance of benefactor Tony Brown, who got Teichmann and Howarth, plus a whole raft of other stars to Newport.

He'll be gone, too, by the end of the month.

It's all so sad for we'll never see his like again, and there'll never be another Rod Snow, either.