Archived News 1999-2000

Rugby Forum - Thursday Evening

• Thursday 3rd August, 7.30pm Rugby Forum with Lyn Jones (coach) and Gareth Llewellyn (Club Captain)

IMPORTANT MEETING

A meeting will be held in the clubhouse at 7.30pm on Thursday 27th July
to discuss with supporters:

THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE CLUB AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS.

Statements will be made on the following issues and questions taken on most of them:

1) The Old Committee Issue.

2) Potential New Owners of the Club

3) Share Issue / Matched Funding

4) Keep the Players Appeal

5) Junior Development / Under 21s

6) What the Supporters can do to help.

7) The Commercial Structure.

8) The prospects for the season.

IF YOU SUPPORT NEATH, BE THERE

Organised by the Patrons Association

Website News

We apologise for the lack of e-mail updates over the last few days due to technical problems. We hope to resume this service over the next day or so.

The club's Guestbook is now functioning correctly, over the last few weeks the Lycos server has been playing up and prevented reliable access to the guestbook.

Departures

Three players have left Neath. These are scrum-half Robbie Jones (who captained the club several times last season), prop David Jones, and New Zealander Sandy Stevens.

EUROPEAN SHIELD 2000 / 2001

It has been announced today (Fri. 07/07/00), that Neath RFC have been drawn
in Pool 2 of the European Shield Competition next season.
Neath will play Monteferrand, Connacht and Beziers.
The first match will be away to Monteferrand on October 6/7/8

The Pools

Pool 1: Cross Keys, Begles Bordeaux, Benetton Treviso, Newcastle Falcons

Pool 2: Montferrand, Neath, Connacht, Beziers

Pool 3: Rotherham, Grenoble, Bridgend, Perpignan

Pool 4: Caerphilly, Agen, Auch, Manchester Sale

Pool 5: NEC Harlequins, Perigueux, Dax, Ebbw Vale

Pool 6: Brive, Piacenza, Toulan, London Irish

Pool 7: Bristol, Mont-de-Marsan, Parma, La Rochelle

Pool 8: Narbonne, Viadana, Bourgoin, Romania

Further details to follow later........

LATEST SIGNINGS

Neath RFC are pleased to announce two further signings:

1) Andy Booth, SCRUM HALF, former Swansea player who played for Neath during 1985-89, returns to The Gnoll.

2) We have also signed Prop Forward Andrew Howells from Dunvant (6ft. 1", 18 st).

Alan Williams NRFC

TERM PATRONS

Would all TERM Patrons who would like to renew their season ticket,
please contact the club as soon as possible as there are very few available.

Club's New Mascot

At the Glasgow game, Neath RFC's new mascot was revealed. It was announced that links with the Welsh Black Cattle Society prompted Neath RFC to adopt the Welsh Black Bull as the new mascot. The younger supporters took great delight at half time, knocking lumps out of the new mascot. We also had some quite amusing comments from stalwarts in the "Cow Shed" (Town End Terrace). The highlight of the evening came when prop Andrew Millward (Bully) appeared to be replaced by the mascot (who was casually crossing the field after one of the Neath tries). To date, the new mascot has not been named. Suggestions are requested by e-mail regarding a suitable name for the mascot.

INS AND OUTS

MEGA NEWS

Neath RFC are pleased to announce two major signings:

1) Gareth Llewelyn, SECOND ROW, former captain of the club 1992-96, returns to The Gnoll. He will be captain next season. Gareth has played 219 games previously for Neath and scored 14 tries

2) We have also signed James Brown from London Irish, he is a 23 years old OUTSIDE HALF and has had honours at U21 level for England.

Both players were signed obout one month ago - however, the club was unable to make the announcement at that time due to contractual reasons.

Alan Williams NRFC

SIGNINGS:

1) PATRICK HORGAN - the former club captain, has returned to the club and signed a two year contract.

2)RICHARD FRANCIS - has signed a two year extension to his current contract.

3) PAUL JONES - the 32 year old prop forward that has been signed on a one year contract, from merthyr.

4)STEVE JONES - the young hooker, signed for two seasons.

DEPARTURES:

MATTHEW PEARCE AND GARETH NEWMAN have left the club for pastures new...

CLUB AWARDS 1999-2000 SEASON

At the Annual Club Dinner and Presentation Evening, held on Friday 26th May, the following awards were presented:

Player of the Year - Shane Williams - Presented by Ray Morgan (Patrons Assn.)
Young Player of the Year - Duncan Jones
Clubman of the Year - James Storey - Presented to Stuart Storey on behalf of his son James by Cellan Jones (NRFC Supporters Club).

Thank You

I feel that I should take this opportunity to thank certain individuals who have been of enormous help throughout a long season when 17 programmes had to be produced.

My thanks go to Glyn Davies who has surpassed himself this year with the quality of his photographs, Glyn has been taking photos for the Club programme during my term as Programme Editor, and long may this association continue.

Joanne Mulcahy for her excellent Caricature of the players on the player profile page.

Richard Tregonning of the supporters Club for his regular page, Ray Morgan and Sandra James for their contributions on behalf of the Patron's Association.

Mike Price for his articles on behalf of the Board of Directors of Gower Park Ltd. Matthew Singer for his Community Development and Commercial Pages, to Lyn Jones, Phil Pugh, Kevin George and Rowland Phillips for the articles submitted for the View from the Bench page.

To Leigh Shailes of L. Pugh and Son Printers for all the efforts that have helped produce the quality programme that we now have at the Club, also for being so understanding when articles are late and ensuring that the deadline is always met. (We have had a few close shaves this season).

Finally I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has taken out a Programme Advert, without advertisers there would be no programme.

Take a well-earned summer break and hopefully I will see you all next season. (Alan Williams)

Development Squad

Congratulations to wing Delme Williams, Outside half Cerith Rees and Prop forward Duncan Jones along with Shane Williams have all been selected for the Wales Development Squad tour to Canada which takes place in June.

Grapevine - Caerphilly Match:

Development Squad

Congratulations to wing Delme Williams, Outside half Cerith Rees and Prop forward Duncan Jones along with Shane Williams have all been selected for the Wales Development Squad tour to Canada which takes place in June.

Congratulations

Matthew Pearce who becomes the second player to score 100 points for the season his 14 points at Cardiff give him a total of 110 points so far this season.

Disciplinary

Lock forward Adam Jackson was banned for 42 Days for his alleged stamp on Mark Taylor during the Cup Quarter Final defeat by Swansea. The disciplinary committee decided that he has already served 17 days, there are 11 days left until the end of this season. The New season will start on August 1st and Adam will serve 14 days from that date. Tongan International Dave Tiueti has been cleared by the Disciplinary Committee after last weeks sending off at Llanelli, the Committee decided that there was no case to answer.

IRB Ruling

16 times capped flanker Brett Sinkinson has been told that he must re-qualify for Wales under residency rules. This means that the Neath player will be avialable for selection by Coach Graham Henry from September 2001.

Result: Neath 47 Glasgow 10

Result: Neath 35 Caerphilly 35

SINGER STEALS THE SHOW with a DROP GOAL and TRY!

Matthew Singer's Barmy Army arrived back home safely at Neath Railway Station having witnessed a thrilling performance at the "Arms Park" by the "Cow Shed's" favourite player.

Matthew opened Neath's account with a dazzling drop goal, followed by a try from a James Storey break. Whilst we cannot deny that Cardiff took their chances, this was another classic example of poor refereeing. Today's referee was Gareth Symonds(a long-standing favourite at the Gnoll - NOT).

FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF 52 NEATH 27

Website News

The lottery page has recently been updated including a history on how the Lottery began, by Arthur Bowden.

Regettably, the NRFC Website Guestbook format has changed somewhat, in order to eliminate inappropriate non rugby-related postings and trivia. However, postings are usually approved within 24 Hrs - I trust that this will not deter genuine Neath Supporters from contributing to our Guestbook, which I believe provides ample opportunity to have your say about "The Welsh All Blacks"

We are constantly looking at ways of improving the website, although at times, there is not a lot of news to report, particularly during the summer break. Any ideas welcomed by e-mail.

Colin Chapman

More Honours

Congratulations to Shane Williams who played a part all Wales Six Nations Championship matches scoring three tries. Shane was last week named as the Wales On Sunday Welsh Player of the Championship. The flying winger polled 27% of the telephone vote, leaving International stalwarts as Peter Rogers 15% and Former Neath Centre Alan Bateman 11% trailing in his wake.

Congratulations

Young outside half Cerith Rees has become the first Neath player to score 250 points in a season for the Club since the legendary Paul Thorburn scored 282 points in the 1993/94 season. At present Cerith has scored 257 points and is averaging over 10 points a match. Cerith has played 24 matches, and has scored 6 tries, 45 conversions, 41 penalties and a drop goal well done Cerith. With five matches to play this season the young fly half could become the Clubs top points Scorer form more than a Decade.

Former Players Evening

The Patrons Association has arranged an informal gathering for former players of Neath RFC to meet on May 12th (the Glasgow game).

After the Glasgow game, the Patrons Association will be meeting in the function suite and sharing a joint buffet with former players. If anybody is in contact with any old Neath players would they please ask them to contact Ray Morgan on 01639 638106 (Home) or 01792 816934

Patrons Association AGM

The Association AGM will be held in the Patrons Lounge of the Clubhouse on Thursday 11th May, at 7.30pm.

LLANELLI 25 NEATH 24

DATE AGREED FOR CARDIFF MATCH

Neath meet Cardiff in the Welsh /Scottish League, on Tuesday, 2 May, at the Arms Park, kick-off 7.15pm - as stated on the Cardiff Website. I would arrive in plenty of time in case it's a 7pm kick-Off :)

Neath 43 Bridgend 7

NEATH 37 PONTYPRIDD 34

Appearances

Back row forward Richard Francis played his 50th game for the Club versus Pontypridd on Saturday.

New Signing

The American International prop forward Ray Lehner has finally joined the Club after signing before the transfer deadline in January, but commitments did not allow him to start training until a couple of weeks ago

Injury News

Wing Delme Williams has had a scan on the shoulder he injured in last week's local derby against Swansea. The scan has shown that the SC joint has been popped and Delme will miss the rest of the season.

International Honours

Congratulations to Shane Williams who played a part in Wales recent win over Ireland. The flying wing has now earned five full caps for Wales.

A TEAM

Congratulations to Wing Delme Williams on winning his second Wales A Cap in the recent defeat by Ireland A. Delme also had the satisfaction of scoring two tries in the match. This takes his total to three tries in only two A team matches.

U21s

Outside Half Cerith Rees has once again acquitted himself well at U21 level scoring 7 points in their Defeat by Ireland, Giving him a total of 76 points for Wales U21 in the Six Nations Championship. The U21s needed to win in Ireland to complete the Grand Slam, unfortunately they failed to do so but still finished as champions.

Wing Richard Johnson and tight head prop David Jones also played for the U21s in the championship.

Congratulations

Young outside half Cerith Rees has become the first Neath player to score 200 points in a season for the Club since the legendary Paul Thorburn scored 282 points in the 1993/94 season. At present Cerith has scored 246 points and is averaging over 10 points a match. Cerith has played 23 matches and scored 246 points, and has scored 6 tries, 44 conversions, 38 penalties and a drop goal Well done Cerith. With six matches to play this season the young fly half could become the Clubs top points Scorer form more than a Decade.

TO ALL NEATH RFC SEASON-TICKET HOLDERS AND
WELL-WISHERS

MERGER WITH SWANSEA ? - NO CHANCE !!

Many will have read today's "Western Mail" (Tuesday 4th April 2000) article regarding the above topic.

The paper did not speak to either the WRU or ourselves prior to publication and will not reveal their "source" - but it was included in a paragraph of Swansea propaganda.

Might I reassure all, that no such merger has ever been discussed by the board of Gower Park Ltd. and having spoken to Mr Dennis Gethin (WRU Secretary) this afternoon, neither is it the intention or policy of the WRU that such a merger should take place.

Should anyone wish to discuss the above with me or any of the Board members, please do so.

Mike Price (Secretary)
Tuesday 4th April 2000.

Result: SWANSEA 52 NEATH 44

International Honours

Congratulations to Wings Delme Williams and Shane Williams on their recent achievements in the Wales A-Team and Senior Team respectively. Well done boys!

Result

Neath 19 Swansea 35

Appearances

Second row forward Steve Martin played his 100th game for the Club versus Swansea in the recent cup match.

Injury News

Fly Half Matthew Pearce has had his plaster cast removed from his injured foot and has resumed training.

Transfer

Prop Forward Leighton Gerrard who made 134 appearances for the Club has now joined Bristol.

International Honours

Congratulations to Shane Williams on scoring both Wales' tries, against Scotland. The flying wing has now scored 18 tries in all rugby this season.

A TEAM

Congratulations to Wing Delme Williams on winning his first Wales A Cap in last weekends win against Scotland A. Delme also had the satisfaction of scoring a try on debut.

U21s

Outside Half Cerith Rees has once again acquitted himself well at U21 level scoring 17 points in their victory over Scotland, Giving him a total of 65 points for Wales U21 in the Six Nations Championship, The U21s need to win in Ireland Next week to complete the Grand Slam. Cerith has been joined in the U21 side by wing Richard Johnson and tight head prop David Jones.

Loan Ended

Patrick Horgan has returned to Llanelli after his loan period expired.

Congratulations

Young outside half Cerith Rees has become the first Neath player to score 200 points in a season for the Club since the legendary Paul Thorburn scored 282 points in the 1993/94 season. At present Cerith is averaging 10 points a match. Cerith has played 21 matches and scored 211 points, and has scored 5 tries, 38 conversions, 31 penalties and a drop goal Well done Cerith.

Signings

The Club has signed Steve (Jabba) Jones. The young hooker has been signed from UWIC where he is currently studying.

Mascot

The Mascot for the Ebbw Vale match was David Howells who is three years old, and lives in London Road Neath he was nominated by Ieuan Jenkins and regularly attends Neath home matches His Favourite Neath player is Duncan Jones.

Steelmen smelted by the "All Blacks"

Result:
NEATH 28 EBBW VALE 25

General Meeting

An Extraordinary General Meeting of Members 1997/98 will be held at The Club House on Friday 17th March 2000 at 7pm.

Agenda. To seek information on the present state of the club and as to its future since the handing over of the club to the W.R.U. on 16th July 1998.

WRU Cup Result: Aberavon 6 Neath 17

Fixture News:

The next home game will be versus Ebbw Vale on Saturday 11th March, Kick-off 5.30pm

Result: Neath 55 Treorchy 10

Shane selected for "Twickers"

Shane Williams, has been named in the starting line-up for Wales against England in the Six Nations Championship on Saturday March 4th at Twickenham. The only change in the side being Colin Charvis (Swansea).

Brett in Print

A "Limited Edition" of 250 prints has been produced by DPG ART Ltd. on behalf of the Neath RFC Patrons Association.The prints are available @ £30-00 each. For further details, contact Alan Williams on 07788863960 (Mobile). Click here for a large preview of the print.

WRU Moves Goal Posts!

The date of the re-arranged fixture versus Aberavon in the 7th Round of the cup has been changed by the WRU. The tie will now be played on MONDAY March 6th, not Tuesday 7th as previously announced.

Fixture News

As indicated on the notice board outside The Gnoll, Neath appear to be playing Treorchy in a friendly fixture at The Gnoll, on THURSDAY 2nd March, 7.00pm Kick-off.

Match Postponed
Aberavon V Neath (27/02/00)

Team announced, see "Fixtures / Match Reports" page.

Well Done Shane!

Congratulations to Shane Williams, scoring his first try for Wales against Italy in the Six Nations Championship on Saturday 19th February at the Millennium Stadium. Many messages of goodwill from Neath Fans far and wide are evident on our website "Guestbook."

Result

Merthyr 0 Neath 27

Due to very muddy conditions, the match lasted only 53 minutes.

WRU Cup

Neath travel to Aberavon for the 7th Round of the cup. The tie will be played on Sunday February 27th.

Result

Edinburgh Reivers 21 Neath 18

Fixture News

Maesteg game (Fri,18th) is postponed due to a re-arranged league match involving Maesteg. Neath play Merthyr (away) instead - 7.15pm Kick-off, on Friday 18th February.

Team / Fixture News

Team Sheet for Edinburgh Match Announced - see "Fixtures / Match Reports" Page

Neath's next match is Edinburgh Reivers (away) on Friday 11th February.The next home match is a Friendly Fixture with Maesteg on Friday 18th February.

Result: Maesteg 7 Neath 50

WRU Cup

Neath travel to Aberavon for the 7th Round of the cup. All ties to be played on Sunday February 27th.


In addition to the New Replica Kits, we now have squad type fleece jackets in stock at the Club Shop, priced @ £40-00
Visit the club shop or contact Richard Tregoning for further details....

Links Page

Additional Rugby Links added

Neath 67 Merthyr 24

Happy Birthday!

We are pleased to announce that the NRFC Website was Two Years Old on Friday 21st!

Neath RFC Official Website was launched on 21st January 1998 as a joint venture by Brian Evans (Sevco) and Colin Chapman (Kingsway Computers), following fruitful discussions with Alan Benjamin (then Hon.Secretary of the Club)and Alan Williams (NRFC Programme Editor).

We would like to thank those who have supported the website from the outset when the club was in financial difficulties. We are also indebted to those who have supplied information and ideas, in particular, Alan Williams for supplying much of the material.

Any feedback regarding the site is always welcomed. Here's to the next two years!
[Colin Chapman]

Wales Squads News

Our Congratulations to the Three young players who have been selected for the Wales V England U21 Match which takes place at Newbridge on Wednesday Jan 26th. The three players selected are Loosehead Prop Duncan Jones, Wing Richard Johnson and Outside half Cerith Rees.

Future Fixtures

No Date has been arranged yet for the Club's visit to Cardiff after the Cancellation of the Bank Holiday Fixture due to the state of the Pitch in Cardiff. Welsh Trial Graham Henry has decreed that there will be an old fashioned Probables v Possibles

Welsh Trial

on Saturday 29th of January, The Match will take place at Swansea's St. Helens Ground, kick off will be at 5.30 S4c will televise the game live. All Premier Club's have been requested to rearrange the fixtures for that days league programme. The Following Neath players have selected to play in the trial, which consists of four Teams. Team One Shane Williams Team Two Shawn Van Rensburg Team Three Richard Johnson Cerith Rees David Jones Team Four Delme Williams James Storey Duncan Jones Mefin Davies

Congratulations

To Tongan World Cup Star Tevita "Dave" Tiueti who plays his 50th match for the Club Today.

International Tickets

The Tickets for the Wales v France International are expected to arrive at the Club in the next few days. There has been a lot of interest shown from a large number of the Clubs 1500 season ticket holders, every one who is successful in the draw will notified A.S.A.P., Any members who Miss out on tickets for the France match will be first opportunity for the Italy Game.

International Rugby Visits the Gnoll

On Wed 26th Jan the Welsh Schools entertain the Youth counterparts at the Courage Gnoll kick off 7 P.M. On Sunday 13th Feb Welsh Youth will play Romania Youth at the Courage Gnoll kick off 2.30 P.M. On Friday 25th Feb Welsh Youth will play Canada Youth at the Courage Gnoll kick off 7.00 P.M.

Memorabilia

An attempt is being made to replace the memorabilia in the Clubhouse after the fire. If any Season Ticket holders have any old photographs or other memorabilia please contact Alan Williams via the Club Office

Match Stewards Required

Click here for further details.......

Neath 23 Northampton 39

NRFC Website

Many new items added throughout, match reports are now up-to-date (see "Fixtures / Match Reports.")
Team Sheet versus Northampton added.

RESULT: EDINBURGH 23 NEATH 20
(Friday 07/01/00, 7pm)

Teamsheet published - see "Fixtures / Match Reports" page....

CARDIFF V NEATH (away)
(Monday, 03/01/2000)
MATCH POSTPONED

JAMES STOREY WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION FOR NEATH FOR THE CARDIFF GAME ON JAN 3RD.

He has been given the go ahead by his specialist. He will continue with appointments with Mr Sugar to check on continued progress... he will require more surgery in the Summer in an attempt to reduce the scarring.

NEWPORT 27 NEATH 22

Match report to follow.....

Last updated 27/12/99

Grenoble 21 Neath 10 :(

Neath 43 Grenoble 14