Neath V EBBW VALE
Saturday 23rd April 2005, 5.30pm KO

MATCH REPORT (by Phil Space)

NEATH 58 EBBW VALE 12
It could be party time at The Gnoll on Wednesday evening after the blazing Welsh All Blacks cast aside the never-say-die challenge of outgunned Ebbw Vale at The Gnoll on Saturday to move within a point of their third National League title and their 13th Welsh championship of all time.

Bedwas is the only thing on Neath minds now and the Blacks will be hoping for plenty of Neath support to see them do it.

Neath, running the ball from all parts of the field, looked full of confidence and they took the lead after eight minutes through a penalty from prolific fly-half James Hook but Neath's positive intent was not always matched by its execution as chances evaded them and on 20 minutes they suddenly found themselves in arrears when Vale wing Scott Horner latched onto a kick through to touch down.

As if to underline their superiority, the Blacks hit back with an instant riposte when a neat grubber by scrum-half Pat Horgan eluded the eager Aled Brew but found its way instead to centre Wayne Mitchell who got in at the corner and Hook converted from wide out. Then the young Neath backs showed their class with a superb try carved out by Hook, Mitchell and Andrew Bishop and finished by skipper Gareth Morris.

Hook converted and landed a penalty but the All Blacks gave away a silly try when a speculative kick was allowed to bounce into the arms of full back Andrew McLaughlan who raced away from halfway for Vale's second try converted by outside-half Jason Williams.

Turning around 20-12 up, Neath were one-point behind their halftime advantage against Cross Keys and like the previous Saturday they came out strongly after the interval. The forwards switched on and might have got the scoreboard moving before a charge down by Bishop and quick hands released winger Richard Johnston who sped away for Neath's third try.

The fourth swiftly followed when good work by the ever-impressive Lee Beach. Horgan and replacement Ed Shervington saw Horgan touch down and a break by Hook then resulted in Bishop getting Neath's fifth.

As the benches emptied, Neath finished with a flourish strangely amidst some rapturous singing by the defiant Ebbw Vale fans. Replacements Aled Bevan, Neil Clapham (his 20th of the season to reach 100 points) and finally Aiono Senio crossed in rapid succession and with Hook banging over conversions to reach 18 points for the evening it was all over for Vale. Young James now only requires 10 more points to beat Lee Jarvis' club record.

So to Wednesday evening (7.15pm) when the title will hopefully come to The Gnoll !

Neath v Ebbw Vale - G.Morris (captain) (N.Clapham); A.Brew, A.Bishop, W.Mitchell (A.Bevan), R.Johnston; J.Hook, P.Horgan (Mark Davies); P.Jones (A.Howell), A.Littlehales (E.Shervington), C.Griffiths; I.Evans, S.Martin; A.Llewellyn (B.Davies), L.Beach, J.McPhail (A.Senio)

Man of the Match Awards
Man of the Match: John McPhail (chosen by Ospreys new signing Leigh Davies)
S4C Man of the Match: Lee Beach (chosen by Gwyn Jones)

MATCH PREVIEW

Neath v Ebbw Vale - Sat. April 23rd, 2005
Neath make five rotational changes for their televised home match at The Gnoll against Ebbw Vale (kick off 5.30pm). Neath require two more wins to deny champions Newport the title but if Newport fail to beat Swansea at Rodney Parade and the Men in Black win then the Welsh Premier Division title will be on its way to The Gnoll.

Richard Johnston resumes on the wing with Andy Littlehales, lineout ace Chris Gittins, Andy Llewellyn and Lee Beach starting up front.

As the championship race intensifies, The Gnoll club have reduced admission charges for both the Ebbw Vale game and for next Wednesday's finale against Bedwas (7.15pm). For just £ 1, everyone under-16 will be allowed into the Family Stand and the terraces.

Coach Rowland Phillips said, "We at Neath have a very healthy respect for Ebbw Vale rugby and one of our hardest games this season came up at Eugene Cross Park in November. They have a choice of two prolific goalkickers in Jason Williams and Byron Hayward, dangerous backs headed by captain Kristian Owen and Jon Hawker, a pack that never lacks spirit and a pool of fine back rowers who can spoil any party."

"As with all the Gwent clubs, we anticipate a strong physical challenge and, in front of what will hopefully be a good crowd stimulated by the reduced admission charges, we will be aiming to make things happen rather than expect things to happen."

Team :- G.Morris (capt); A.Brew, A.Bishop, W.Mitchell, R.Johnston; J.Hook, P.Horgan; P.Jones, A.Littlehales, C.Griffiths; S.Martin, C.Gittins; A.Llewellyn, L.Beach, J.McPhail Replacements - A.Bevan, N.Clapham, M.Davies, A.Howell, E.Shervington, I.Evans, B.Davies or A.Senio

Only injuries - Hywel Jenkins, Alun Wyn Davies and James Davies