Caerphilly V Neath
Wednesday March 9th 2005, 7.15pm KO

MATCH REPORT (by Phil Space)

Caerphilly 8 Neath 42
The Welsh All Blacks continued where they left off against Pontypridd with a most accomplished display at Caerphilly who never ever looked like repeating their recent wins over Swansea and Llanelli.

It was not that Caerphilly were bad - indeed, they spent long periods of each half camped on the Neath line - but Neath's rediscovered zeal had them reeling from the start and the Cheesemen have to go back to 1998 for their last win over the Blacks.

Neath got off to a magnificent start and they rattled up a 15-nil advantage in even time. Outside-half James Hook landed a fifth-minute penalty and Neath were soon on the attack again. Playing with pace and verve, centre Aled Bevan crossed from a snap-penalty and Hook converted, then good handling saw winger Richard Johnston speed over for his 15th try of the season. Neath were making all of the running and hard-working scrum-half Mark Davies nearly bagged the visitors' third try.

Caerphilly enjoyed a good spell of pressure but the Neath defence held firm and after failing to make progress via ball in hand Caerphilly opted to open their account through a penalty by ex-Mumbles winger Nikki Thomas.

The Blacks' reply was almost immediate and, after a defence-splitting run by full back Gareth Morris who was back near his best, outstanding flanker Lee Beach touched down for their third try that Hook goaled and the composed outside-half banged over his second penalty on the stroke of halftime to make it 25-3.

On the resumption, Caerphilly enjoyed their best period but the Neath defence was rock-solid and it took the home side fully 15 minutes to break through - and then only due to a rare missed tackle that allowed wing Mike Silcox to cut the deficit.

But that was the signal for Neath to reassert themselves and after the forwards went close in the left corner, the ball was swiftly switched to the right for winger Nick Jones to cross. Then the brothers Mitchell took centre stage as centre Wayne made the running and found his brother, replacement prop Craig at his right elbow to score at the posts. Hook converted and the Blacks polished off with a breakout try, a second of the evening for centre Bevan.

This was a very impressive display by the Welsh All Blacks over a buoyant Caerphilly side that was quietly confident of another scalp in their bid to steer clear of relegation. Neath seem to be playing once more with the early-season energy and drive that deserted them in February - the whole team worked hard and earned their just reward with the back-row of star-man Beach, Hywel Jenkins and young James Davies were always to the fore.

It now seems likely that wins in each of their five remaining home games will be sufficient to bring the League title back to The Gnoll but Neath may need to win away too. The long-awaited revenge mission against Llanelli next Wednesday is next in Neath's sights.

Neath v Caerphilly - G.Morris (captain); N.Jones, A.Bevan, W.Mitchell, R.Johnston (Mike Jones); J.Hook (N.Clapham), Mark Davies (Owen Jones); A.W.Davies (C.Mitchell), A.Littlehales (E.Shervington), A.Howell; S.Martin (B.Davies), C.Gittins; L.Beach, H.Jenkins, J.Davies (A.Senio)