Caerphilly 13 Neath 43
18th August 2001

MATCH REPORT
© Alan Williams, Neath RFC

For the second week in succession the weather played havoc with Neath's plan to play an open and expansive game. But unlike previous seasons, this time the team were able to adapt to the conditions. There were six changes from the team for last seasons Principality Cup Final. Barry Williams and Allan Bateman returned to the Club after four and eleven seasons away respectively. Andy Moore, Lee Jarvis, Alfie Mocelutu and Shaun Connor all made not only their debuts but also telling contributions to an excellent team performance.

The match was only eleven minutes old when Lee Jarvis was on target with his first penalty kick, following a dangerous tackle on Shane Williams. Six minutes later Jarvis was again on target, this time after the home defence had conceded a penalty, when a brilliant run by Bateman had split them apart. Jarvis was on target with his third penalty just three minutes later.

Neath's first try came when Barry Williams charged up field and off loaded out of the tackle to Andy Moore who set his back line away for Jarvis, Bateman and Shaun Connor to send Shane Williams away for an easy run in, Jarvis was off target with the conversion.

The home side struck back with a penalty from outside half Stuart Lawrence, and a kick and chase try by wing Justin Thomas, Lawrence was on target with the conversion.

With only two minutes remaining until half time a close line out saw the All Black forwards take a short line out and drive Alfie Mocelutu over for his first try in the Black jersey.

The second half was barely two minutes old when the Tongan Torpedo Dave Tiueti made a superb break, fed Allan Bateman who sent three defenders the wrong way with a brilliant dummy and crossed under the posts, Jarvis added the extra points for the conversion.

With an hour gone Neath introduced newly capped Wales hooker Steve Jones and former Natal Shark John "Slugger" Slade into the fray. Prop Duncan Jones intercepted a wayward Caerphilly pass on his own ten-metre line and set up a move, which ended with Lee Jarvis sending Dave Tiueti in for a try, Jarvis added the conversion. Nathan Bonner-Evans and Dylan Pugh replaced Mocelutu and Jarvis, before Richard Francis ran in a try from 30 metres; Shaun Connor was successful with the conversion.