Bridgend 19 Neath 21
20th October 2001

MATCH REPORT
© Alan Williams, Neath RFC

The conditions at the Brewery Field were perfect for running rugby, and Neath started the game with a bang, Brett Sinkinson pounced on a Jamie Ringer knock on to set up outside half Lee Jarvis whose perfect pass sending flying wing Shane Williams in for his second try of the season, Jarvis was on target with the conversion.

Bridgend fullback Adrian Durstan was on target with a penalty after eleven minutes. Jarvis restored Neath’s lead with a 40-metre penalty following the home defence being caught offside in midfield.

Nathan Budgett made inroads into the All Black defence and fed Jamie Ringer who passed to wing Gareth Jones for an easy run in at the corner. With just two minutes remaining Jarvis was on target with his second penalty to extend his teams lead.

Jarvis was again on target with his third penalty on the hour. Five minutes later Durstan pulled back three points for Bridgend. Two minutes later the scores were level, after Allan Bateman had dropped a pass home wing Daniel Jones hacked on a won the race to the ball, to score a try in the corner. Straight from the restart Nathan Bonner Evans won the ball and drove deep into the home twenty two, quick release from Andy Moore saw Lee Jarvis race in to score wide out.

Neath hooker Barry Williams and Bridgend prop Christian Loader were sent to the sin bin after trading punches. With time running out Durstan scored another penalty to reduce the deficit. With the game deep in injury time Bridgend outside half Jason Hewlett was off target with a drop goal attempt, which would have snatched victory away from Neath.