Neath V Aberavon
Monday March 28th 2005 (Easter Monday)

MATCH REPORT (by Phil Space)

NEATH 80 ABERAVON nil
Neath's championship credentials were underlined when they cast aside Aberavon with a 12-try blast of running rugby at The Gnoll in front of another hefty home crowd.

Any hopes of a contest evaporated very early on. Aberavon included only five of the starting line-up that earned them a Konica-Minolta Welsh Cup semi-final spot at Newport's expense and, although three others were soon summoned form the bench, they ran into a Neath side determined to eradicate memories of their own Cup exit.

Neath had altogether too much pace and acumen for the visitors and with referee Nigel Owens policing the rucks as they should be the Blacks saw plenty of ball although Aberavon's pack scrummaged tidily enough and in ex-All Blacks Ian Moore and Steve Phillips they had two young forwards who never gave up. They also suffered a series of injuries including the loss of ex-Neath hero Mark Jones who received a great ovation and wing Richard Carter with concussion.

There was a neat symmetry about the All Blacks' display as they piled up six tries and 40 points without reply in each half. Star performers were wing Aled Brew and full back and skipper Gareth Morris who both bagged try hat-tricks with their strong-running. In fact, Brew ought to have scored five as he spilled one scoring pass and was overhauled on another powerful dash to the line.

Despite losing the ball in the tackle on the odd occasion, Wales Under-21 centre Andrew Bishop looked a class act and he scored two tries, his second being Neath's 150th of the season. Neil Clapham, playing on the wing, worked hard off the ball and crossed for his 19th of the campaign while three back row men - Aiono Senio, Hywel Jenkins and replacement Andrew Llewellyn who ran from near halfway - also made the try-line.

Outside-half James Hook ran well and converted six before being replaced by Shaun Connor who immediately upped the tempo with his incisiveness and spatial awareness and he converted four.

Although Neath's accuracy of pass sometimes fell short of the required standard, the Blacks had little trouble in registering a 17th successive home win over Aberavon. They easily passed chairman Geraint Hawkes' pre-match call for 50 points and the 80-point margin of victory was actually greater than the 95-17 record League score - also against Aberavon in 1995/96.

Aberavon's lack of reserve strength was ruthlessly exposed but, as the tries went rolling in, it only served to increase the feeling among Neath fans of the Cup that got away.

Neath v Aberavon - G.Morris (captain); A.Brew, A.Bishop, W.Mitchell, N.Clapham (A.Bevan); J.Hook (S.Connor), P.Horgan (Mark Davies); A.Howell (A.W.Davies), E.Shervington (A.Littlehales), C.Griffiths; S.Martin (I.Evans), C.Gittins; L.Beach, H.Jenkins, A.Senio (A.Llewellyn)

Neaths outside half James Hook receives his Man of the Match award from former Neath flanker, Mike Thomas. Photograph taken by Georgina Rewbridge.