Neath V Cardiff
Saturday 11th Sptember 2004, 2.30pm K.O.

MATCH REPORT (by Phil Space)

NEATH 48 points CARDIFF 24 points
It was scintillating stuff all the way at The Gnoll as rampant Neath put Cardiff to the sword in a 10-try extravaganza.

There were few Cardiff fans in the crowd and probably just as well as the Welsh All Blacks turned in as good a display as any seen at The Gnoll for some time - and one that, for sheer entertainment, far outshone anything seen on television this season.

The writing was on the wall for Cardiff from the first whistle as the Neath forwards tore into them with vigour and, recycling possession through several phases, the ball was worked to winger Richard Johnston whose corner try was superbly goaled by young outside-half James Hook. Soon after, prop Paul Jones ploughed over for a try following a Chris Gittins lineout take and Hook again converted.

Neath were playing magnificent stuff and it came as no surprise when full back Neil Clapham dashed in at the corner and the immaculate Hook again goaled and the outside-half did it again when wing Aled Brew crossed.

Cardiff hit back briefly with a try by wing Chris Czekaj after centre Richard Jones made the running. Ex-Neath fly-half Chris Anderson goaled it but immediately had a kick charged down and Gittins bounded over for the Blacks' fifth try. Anderson landed a penalty on halftime to make it 33-10 to Neath, a scoreline which fully reflected their dominance.

With a strengthening wind behind them, Cardiff started the second-half with more purpose and the impressive Czekaj begged his second try that Anderson converted before Hook landed a penalty. Although playing into the wind, Neath were well on top and they scored two top-drawer second-half tries.

The first came when flanker Steve Tandy burst away from a lineout and linked with co-flanker Andy Llewellyn whose pass sent Hook racing in and he added the conversion points too.

Then a flowing passing movement from their own line saw scrum-half Mark Davies cross at the other end of the field, Hook's missed conversion being his only blemish and depriving Neath of the half-century.

With the last move of the game, Cardiff wing Elgan Jones crossed for a consolation try that Anderson goaled to give them a slightly flattering deficit. The win took Neath to the top of the table (albeit briefly given their forthcoming break from League action) and there is no doubt that the Blacks mean business !

NEATH - Neil Clapham; Aled Brew, Andrew Bishop, Wayne Mitchell (Mike Jones), Richard Johnston; James Hook, Mark Davies (Martin Roberts); Paul Jones (Captain), Mefin Davies (Darren Poland), Cai Griffiths (Andrew Howell); Steve Martin (Ian Evans), Chris Gittins; Andy Llewellyn (Tom Smith), Lee Beach, Steve Tandy
Repl. Not used - Craig Mitchell

Man of the Match, Neath Outside half James Hook, being presented with his silver tankard by Ospreys assistant coach Sean Holley

The Neath Rugby team to play Cardiff RFC, at the Gnoll, on Saturday 11th September 2004, with kick off at 2.30pm, was as follows: - 15 Neil Clapham 14 Aled Brew 13 Andrew Bishop 12 Wayne Mitchell 11 Richard Johnston 10 James Hook 9 Mark Davies 1 Paul Jones (Captain) 2 Mefin Davies 3 Cai Griffiths 4 Steve Martin 5 Chris Gittins 6 Andrew Llewellyn 8 Lee Beach 7 James Davies Replacements: tbd

Comment from Assistant Coach, Patrick Horgan: "Cardiff look a much stronger team last season, having recruited well with players like Rob Appleyard coming into the team. Rob is a huge player for them, who will bring experience and quality to their pack. They went well up front against Pontypridd last weekend, so it is clear that Saturdays match will be another huge challenge for our pack. I am confident they will come through this, with us having played so well up front against Swansea last week. We are expecting another stern challenge from a much improved outfit, and I expect the players we have brought into the team to perform"