Neath V Cardiff
Saturday, 24th April 2004

MATCH REPORT

NEATH 27 CARDIFF 37 (by Phil Space)
There was a lack of urgency about the Blacks' display on Saturday evening when they went down to a hungrier Cardiff side that knew they had to win if they were to avoid the foot of the table.

Neath made seven changes from their semi-final, mostly injury-enforced, and it was evident from early on that Cardiff were more up for the game than Neath.

The visitors had a key man in outside-half Nick Macleod who contributed 17 points including a try, other scorers being wing Elgan Jones and centres Liam Roberts and Bedford-bound Matt Allen. Their back-row of McShane, Malpas and Sowden-Taylor was particularly effective too.

Neath winger Richard Johnston replied with two and took his season's tally to 20 and Wales' top try-scoring prop Andrew Howell barged over for another. Outside-half Chris Anderson converted two and kicked two penalties but did not look comfortable against his former club and Matthew Jones converted one after coming on as a replacement.

Neath no.8 Ben Davies had a fine game and won the Man of the Match award but maybe too many eyes were on the Millennium Stadium and Gnoll fans expect better and will be looking for a more typical Neath effort when Pontypridd come to The Gnoll on Wednesday (7.15pm).

Neath v Cardiff :- P.Bamsey; K.James, J.Leyshon, W.Mitchell, R.Johnston; C.Anderson (Matthew Jones), R.Morgan; C.Griffiths (P.Jones), D.Poland (captain) (A.Littlehales), A.Howell; Mark Jones (Tom Davies), L.Bateman; A.Llewellyn (B.Sinkinson), B.Davies (H.Jenkins) S.Peters Replacements : O.Gustafson

Footnote : Cardiff's win has made it very interesting at the bottom of the table where in 13th position they now have 30 points and 1 game left against Swansea. 14th are Llandovery (29 and just Cross keys to play), then Pontypool (28 with Bedwas and NEATH to play at the Park). Bottom are Llanelli (26 with Newbridge and Carmarthen Quins to play).

Long term sponsor and supporter Mark Hughes is photographed
making the presentation to Ben Davies after the Cardiff match