Neath V Caerphilly
Wedneasday, November 17th 2004, 7.15pm KO

MATCH REPORT (by Phil Space)

(Photographs by Julian Brock)

NEATH 59 CAERPHILLY 9
Neath finished strongly to underline their Premier league championship aspirations when they cast aside bottom club Caerphilly by 59-9 at The Gnoll.

Caerphilly opened the scoring with the first of three penalties by outside-half Tommy Price but Neath hit back with a well worked try by scrum-half Pat Horgan that James Hook converted. Over elaboration cost Neath a couple more scores before Hywel Jenkins, playing his 50th game for the club, ploughed over for the first of his three tries and outside-half Hook again converted. And, after Price's second penalty, the same combination made it 21-6 at the interval.

Neath now had the elements in their favour and great handling by Hook, full back Neil Clapham and back-rower Lee Beach paved the way for a try by centre Aled Bevan before Price kicked his third penalty as Caerphilly enjoyed a good spell of play.

Hywel Jenkins completed his hat-trick to make it 31-9 and the Blacks really pulled away in the final quarter of an hour when forceful replacements like Paul Jones, Ian Evans, Andy Llewellyn and James Davies used their fresh legs to send the Neath pack on their way and scrum-half Martin Roberts infused life too.

The Blacks raised their try tally to 9 as Hook converted four scores by centre Wayne Mitchell (2), Clapham and finally replacement wing Nick Jones who had earlier been denied by a pass that was deemed forward by referee Peter Rees (Llandovery) who generally kept the game flowing.

With rivals Newport losing at Ebbw Vale and facing a likely deduction of three points for failing to stage their game against llandovery last month, Llanelli have now moved into second place.

But the Blacks are concentrating on their own game and setting their own standards. A little more accuracy of passing and they could have passed 80 points in this game but on the run of play on the night Caerphilly did not deserve to lose by 50 points and contributed much to an entertaining game.

Neath v Caerphilly - Neil Clapham; Gareth Morris (captain) (Nick Jones), Aled Bevan, Wayne Mitchell, Richard Johnston; James Hook, Patrick Horgan (Martin Roberts); Andrew Howell (Paul Jones), Andy Littlehales, Craig Mitchell; Steve Martin (Ian Evans), Chris Gittins; Tom Smith, Hywel Jenkins (Andy Llewellyn), Lee Beach (James Davies) Replacement - Darren Poland League

Ospreys prop Andrew "Bully" Millward presents the man of the match award to Neath second row Steve Martin for his performance against Caerphilly.