Ebbw Vale V Neath
Saturday, 13th November 2004, 2.30pm KO.

MATCH REPORT (by Phil Space)

(Photographs by Julian Brock)

EBBW VALE 13 NEATH 22
Neath did enough in the first-half to have this game safely sewn up but their second-half display left a lot to be desired before they finally clinched a 12th successive Welsh Premier League win of the season.

The Blacks were always in front after skipper Gareth Morris gave them the lead with a virtuoso try. They played some enterprising rugby into the wind in the first-half and it did not take long for the Premier's top try scorer Neil Clapham to get in on the act.

After good work by Neath's best forward lee Beach, the promising Neath full back raced across for his 12th try of the campaign and soon notched his 13th after referee Keri Evans (Cardiff) signalled play on when the ball struck centre Mike Jones amidships.

James Hook's earlier sole conversion meant that Neath were 17 points to the good after 25 minutes but Vale hit back with a try by skipper Kristian Owen that outside-half Jason Williams converted to make it 17-7 at halftime.

With wind advantage to come, Neath probably felt that they had already done enough to secure victory but the wind dropped and Vale had other ideas as Neath completely lost their direction in the second-half.

Vale chipped away at the lead through two penalties by the prolific Williams whose penalty helped Brynmawr eliminate Cardiff from the Welsh Cup last year. His second came with seven minutes remaining but Neath always looked likely winners although Hook missed a very kickable penalty.

The Blacks settled the issue when a great Steve Martin lineout take - not his first of the day - set up a maul. The Neath forwards drove from close range and replacement No.8 Hywel Jenkins was credited with the touchdown.

So, it's 12 out of 12 and the Blacks will be looking to make it lucky 13 when they play Caerphilly in a re-run of last year's Cup Final at the Gnoll on Wednesday. Kick-off is at 7.15pm and Neath will be aiming to perform in both halves this time.

Neath v Ebbw Vale - Neil Clapham; Gareth Morris (captain) (Aled Brew), Mike Jones, Wayne Mitchell, Richard Johnston; James Hook, Mark Davies (Patrick Horgan); Paul Jones (Andrew Howell), Darren Poland (Andy Littlehales), Cai Griffiths; Andrew Howell; Steve Martin, Ian Evans; Andy Llewellyn (Hywel Jenkins), Lee Beach, John McPhail Replacements - Aled Bevan, James Davies