Aberavon V Neath
Monday 27th December 2004, 2.30pm KO

MATCH REPORT (by Phil Space)

(Photographs by Julian Brock)

ABERAVON 6 NEATH 22
Neath gained their 13th successive win and a seasonal double over their old rivals Aberavon at the Talbot Athletic Ground on Christmas Monday.

The weather restricted the crowd but there was a considerable Neath presence in the 2,000 plus who assembled and they saw Neath rarely threatened as the Blacks got back to winning ways at the top of the Welsh Premier Division.

Tries by new hooker Ed Shervington, skipper Gareth Morris and prop Paul Jones gave Neath a decided edge with James Hook, kicking two conversions and a penalty, back to kicking form.

Two penalties by outside-half Jamie Davies brought Aberavon briefly into it in the first-half at 6-10 but they were never really in the hunt as Neath showed great professionalism in shutting them out.

Neath’s Steve Martin was yellow carded and in the 76th minutes Aberavon lost ex-Neath back-rower Steve Phillips who received a second yellow equalling a red card.

The Blacks now lead Llanelli by three points and have two games in hand following the Tinopolis side’s defeat at Swansea.

Neath v Aberavon :- Gareth Morris (captain); Aled Brew; Andrew Bishop, Wayne Mitchell, Richard Johnston; James Hook, Patrick Horgan (Martin Roberts); Paul Jones, Ed Shervington (Andy Littlehales), Cai Griffiths; Steve Martin, Chris Gittins (Ian Evans); John McPhail (Andy Llewellyn), Hywel Jenkins (Tom Smith), Lee Beach Replacements – Neil Clapham, Craig Mitchell