Neath V Bridgend
16th October 2004

MATCH REPORT (by Phil Space)

NEATH 25 BRIDGEND 9
Not Neath's best display of the season and generally an untidy affair but another crucial win - the eighth in the League - and the Blacks remain the only unbeaten club in the Welsh Premier Division.

Bridgend made the early running and nipped ahead when outside-half Geraint David dropped a goal but the Blacks hit back when a superbly-executed move saw wing Richard Johnston scamper under the posts unimpeded for a try that outside-half James Hook converted.

Bridgend took the game back to Neath and were rewarded with two penalties by David but the Blacks gradually got their game together and seemed to gather strength from an almighty punch-up in front of the stand at the end of which Bridgend flanker Marvin Thomas was sin-binned.

Despite the visitors' largely unpunished habit of slowing down the ball and after-the-tackle antics, Neath kept their discipline and went ahead when full back Neil Clapham finished off a strong period of pressure with his ninth try of the season. Hook converted to make it 14-9 at halftime.

The Blacks started the second-half with altogether more purpose and they soon extended their lead when excellent work by scrum-half Mark Davies paved the way for a fine try by lock Ian Evans. A couple of Hook penalties completed the scoring and sent Neath's young outside-half past the century of points in the League. Neath had further opportunities but did not make the most of them and Bridgend never really looked like scoring a try but it was generally a scrappy affair. Still, it's eight out of eight for the Blacks whose leadership of the Premier Division was taken over by Newport on try count, the Gwent club having played two more games.

The Blacks now move on to a home game against Pontypool on Saturday (kick off 2.30pm). Neath beat Pontypool in both Cup and League at The Gnoll last season but need no reminding that they lost the post-Cup Final match at Pontypool 24-25.

Neath v Bridgend - Neil Clapham; Gareth Morris (captain), Andrew Bishop (Aled Bevan), Wayne Mitchell, Richard Johnston (Aled Brew); James Hook, Mark Davies; Andrew Howell (Alun Wyn Davies), Mefin Davies (Andrew Littlehales) Cai Griffiths; Steve Martin, Ian Evans (Chris Gittins); Andrew Llewellyn (Tom Smith), Hywel Jenkins (John McPhail), Lee Beach

Man of the match James Hook receives his award from Welsh rugby league squad member Nathan Strong.