Carmarthen Quins 7 Neath 24
11th August 2001

MATCH REPORT
© Alan Williams, Neath RFC

The inclement weather scuppered the All Blacks game plan to play a fast and open game. The game was split into four periods, the first two lasted 30 minutes each while the last two were 15 minutes each way.

The early play saw the All Blacks attacking the Quins line. In the seventh minute the Club's latest Welsh International, Hooker Steve Jones was worked free to cross in the corner for the game's first try. Debutant Lee Jarvis was unsuccessful with the touchline conversion attempt.

The All Blacks kept the home side under relentless pressure for the next 15 minutes, in the 22nd minute a Neath lineout saw Steve Jones throw short to Duncan Jones who fed Sinkinson who returned a pass inside to the supporting Duncan Jones who crossed wide out. Jarvis was again off target with the touchline conversion attempt.

The second period began with the strong wind at the backs of the home side, back row forwards Phil Middleton and Phil Beynon almost crashed over for a try, but the Blacks defence held firm. Shaun Connor set Tongan International centre Dave Tuieti free, Tuieti broke several tackles, giving him a 30 metre run in to the posts, Shaun Connor was on target with the conversion.

The home side deservedly opened their account in the 53rd minute when left wing Derek Wyke showed his soccer skills before latching onto the loose ball and scoring wide out. Outside half Giles Thomas add the extra points from the touchline. The All Blacks struck back immediately when former Natal Shark John "Slugger" Slade broke down the right hand touchline and fed scrum half Andy Moore who passed outside to young wing Craig Richards whose pace saw him race clear of the covering defence to touch down under the posts for his first senior try for the Club. Shaun Connor again obliged with the conversion.

The final two periods were badly affected by the weather and the scores remained unchanged although non-the less hard fought.