Cross Keys 27 Neath 31
Saturday 11th October 2003

MATCH REPORT

After dominating much of the game, Neath had to endure a nerve-wracking last eight minutes as Cross Keys came back strongly and might have pinched this Welsh Premier League game.

The Blacks soon established command at Pandy Park and, playing up the slope, led 21-12 at halftime through two well-executed tries by centres Mike Jones and John Leyshon. Outside-half Matthew Jones converted the first and kicked two penalties and, while he was off with a nose-bleed, Chris Anderson came on as replacement and banged over a penalty as well. Keys had little to offer in attack but were kept in range by full back Darren Miles who landed four penalties.

Neath took a firmer grip in the second-half as flanker Hywel Jenkins powered over from a driving maul that travelled fully 25 metres from a lineout but Miles kicked his fifth penalty before Jones put Leyshon through a gap for his second try to make it 31-15.

All seemed well in the Neath camp but, reduced to 14 men following the yellow-carding of scrum-half Owen Gustafson which meant top-tackler John McPhail making way, everything started flowing Keys' way.

A stream of penalties saw them camped on the Neath line and they mauled over from two lineouts for tries by hooker turned flanker Andrew Brown and prop Glen Stroud. Miles converted the second to make it 31-27 and there was a fraught spell of injury-time that Neath just about survived.

It only goes to show how quickly games can turn around and Neath must be on their guard next Saturday when Pontypool (bouyant after wins over Cardiff and Bridgend) come to The Gnoll.

Neath :- P.Bamsey; R.Johnston, Mike Jones, J.Leyshon, R.Carter; Matthew Jones, O.Gustafson; A.Howell, D.Poland, A.Edwards; Mark Jones, T.Davies; H.Jenkins, R.Phillips (captain), J.McPhail
Replacements ;- M.Evans, C.Anderson, R.Morgan, I.Ohlssen, A.Littlehales, S.Phillips, S.Peters