Cardiff V Neath
Tuesday 14th December 2004, 7.15pm KO.

MATCH REPORT (by Phil Space)

CARDIFF 14 NEATH 30
Although by no means near their best, Neath were comfortable winners at the Arms Park where the Blacks registered their 15th consecutive Premier League win of the season.

In a mistake-riddled game, Cardiff took the lead with a penalty by ex-Neath outside-half Chris Anderson but the Blacks responded immediately with a neat try by winger Richard Johnston.

Neath were finding it difficult to establish any momentum in their play due to the proliferation of errors but when they got it right another try ensued. A fine try it was too as the forwards took up the ball before play was switched back to the blind side where Johnston skated over for his eighth League try of the season.

James Hook converted to make it 12-3 but Anderson hauled Cardiff back into the game with two penalties, the second of which appeared to have been taken from the wrong spot, but he missed a further attempt on halftime that would have levelled the scores.

In the second-half, a Hook penalty pushed Neath further ahead and their lead increased when skipper Gareth Morris crossed for his ninth try of the season. Hook converted but casual-looking Neath seemed confident that they had the game under control and they allowed Cardiff a glimmer of hope when wing Chris Czekaj was awarded a try at the corner flag.

As if to demonstrate their superiority, Neath lifted their effort for a while and Hook kicked his second penalty before another well-worked try - Neath's fourth of the evening - was added by centre Andrew Bishop who marked his return from injury.

Cardiff pressed strongly at the end of the game which was by then safely in Neath's hands but generally it was an unsatisfactory performance by the Blacks. Penallta's spies will not have been frightened by this display and Neath will need to play better on Saturday (1.30pm) in the Cup and at Stradey Park next week.

Neath v Cardiff :- Gareth Morris (captain); Aled Brew; Andrew Bishop, Wayne Mitchell, Richard Johnston; James Hook, Patrick Horgan (Mark Davies); Andrew Howell (Paul Jones), Andy Littlehales (Alun Wyn Davies), Cai Griffiths; Steve Martin, Chris Gittins (Ian Evans); Andy Llewellyn (Tom Smith), Hywel Jenkins (John McPhail), Lee Beach Replacement - Neil Clapham