Bristol 10 Neath 6
Sunday 7th October 2001

MATCH REPORT
© Alan Williams, Neath RFC

The game started with Neath defending the elements in the first half. With the gale force wind at the backs the home team spent much of the half in the Neath twenty-two.

The first score of the game came in the eighth minute, the home side were awarded a free kick after Neath had delayed the throw into a line out, Australian outside half Shane Drahm crossed in the corner, Drahm added the extra points for the conversion.

The All Blacks put together their first sustained pressure which result in a Lee Jarvis drop goal. Drahm was on target with a penalty to extend his sides lead. The second half was hard fought affair, with the wind having died down the game was amore even contest. In the 51st minute the Bristol hooker was penalised for coming in at the side of a ruck, Jarvis punished his indiscretion with the penalty goal.

Five minutes later Jarvis was sin binned along with home centre Andrew Higgins after what amounted to hand bags at 10 paces. Neath tried to break the Bristol defence down but it held firm until the final whistle.