Aberavon V Neath
Monday 17th April 2006, 2.30pm KO

MATCH REPORT (by Al Black)

(Photographs by Photographer, Mike Greenslade - Click Here)

ABERAVON 12 NEATH 39
The Welsh All Blacks took another giant stride towards becoming the first club to win back-to-back titles since League rugby came to Wales in 1990/91when they comfortably accounted for Aberavon on Easter Monday.

Despite their pre-match worries of a heavy injury toll, it was a familiar-looking Aberavon side that lined up – Chris Gittins and Simon Peters being the major absentees with Liam Gadd suspended – against a Neath team that showed eight changes from that which won at Maesteg.

The Blacks were quickly into their stride going through the phases to carve out the first try for right wing Stephen Thomas and outside-half James Hook added a fine conversion from wide out. Avon hit back with a good old-fashioned forward rumble that culminated in acting-captain Chris Wells touching down for outside-half Jamie Davies converted.

Neath regained the lead when No.8 Richard Morris held on in the tackle and a verbal protestation from scrum-half Danny Hawkins obligingly made the penalty kick easier for Hook. Boosted by some lengthy touch-finders from Hook, Neath kept up the pressure and, after hooker Gerwyn Price had a try disallowed for a foot in touch , scrum-half Patrick Horgan all but forced his way over before neat work by centre Wayne Mitchell on an inside pass led to the Blacks’ second try by impressive lock Martin Morgan. Hook converted and, with Aberavon reduced to 14-men for a yellow card, the Blacks, with flankers Andy Llewellyn and John McPhail always to the fore, struck again. They registered their third try when they moved the ball expertly across the threequarter line from a lineout and Stephen Thomas touched down for his 23rd try of the season.

Leading 22-7 at the break, Neath were well in control and they stepped up the pace on the re-start, Bevan, Morris and Brew combining well before Hook raced over for a try at the posts but his conversion attempt was charged down. Bevan was proving rather hot for Avon too handle in midfield and when he was obstructed in pursuit of his own kick ahead, Neath sought a lineout and the subsequent forward drive resulted in No.8 Dan McShane getting their fifth try that Hook added to.

As the replacements mounted, Avon got a consolation score when Jamie Davies accepted as good a pass as he will get all season – from Neath’s Jonathan Spratt – and raced away to score but Neath fittingly had the last word when hooker Ed Shervington dashed across after good work by prop Craig Mitchell and McShane. It was Neath’s sixth try of the game and it extended their try-advantage over second-placed Bridgend who will surely not catch the Blacks now.

Aberavon – G.Knox; R.Carter, P.Bamsey, D.Ryan (A.Davies), D.Griffiths; J.Davies, D.Hawkins; M.Harris, C.Wells (captain), A.Edwards (J.Jones); P.Morgan, A.Fisher; I.Moore (C.Kinsey), R.Morris, C.Moses (A.Gwynne)
Neath – G.Morris; S.Thomas, A.Bevan (J.Spratt), W.Mitchell, A.Brew; J.Hook, P.Horgan (G.James); A.W.Davies (A.Howell), G.Price (E.Shervington), C.Mitchell; S.Martin (captain), M.Morgan; A.Llewellyn (B.Davies), D.McShane, J.McPhail (J.Davies)
Referee : Mr. D.Bodilly (Cardiff)