Caerphilly V Neath
Saturday 1st November 2003

MATCH REPORT

Caerphilly 8 Neath 37 (by Phil Space)

Neath earned a 9th Premier League win of the season on Saturday.

Virginia Park has never been an easy venue for Neath and this was one of the Blacks' best winning margins at the ground. Things got off to a bad start though when home fly-half Stuart Thomas went in for an early try but Neath soon levelled through wing Richard Carter.

The Neath forwards established an early ascendancy and No.8 Hywel Jenkins put them in front with his 5th League try but Caer centre Jon Williams replied with a penalty. Over-anxiousness cost the Blacks further scores before lock Tom Davies crossed for try number three, outside-half Matthew Jones converting.

17-8 to the good at halftime, Neath locked Caerphilly out of the game in the second half. The scrum was solid and put pressure on the Caerphilly heel, Tom and Ben Davies regularly won lineout ball with Darren Poland throwing in well and John McPhail was his usual ball-winning self. As the forwards continued to prosper, Tom Davies collected his second try of the game.

Richard Morgan had an outstanding game at scrum-half - his best yet - and Chris Anderson (who moved up to outside-half to replace the injured Matthew Jones) scored 15 points with a penalty, a dropped goal, two conversions and a late solo try.

The Blacks are home to Bedwas on Saturday (kick off - 2.30 pm) - all support most welcome as Neath drive towards the top !

Neath :- C.Anderson; R.Carter, E.Seveali, J.Leyshon, R.Johnston; Matthew Jones, R.Morgan; A.Howell, D.Poland, A.Edwards; T.Davies, B.Davies; B.Sinkinson (captain), H.Jenkins, J.McPhail

Replacements :- P.Bamsey, Mike Jones, O.Gustafson, C.Griffiths, A.Littlehales, R.Phillips A.Llewellyn