Edinburgh 20 Neath 32
28th August 2001, 7.30pm Kick-Off

MATCH REPORT
© Alan Williams, Neath RFC

With conditions perfect for running rugby, a 3000 strong crowd attended Myreside Stadium, the home of Watsonians for the visit of Neath.

Neath fielded a strong line up, which included a full debut for South African John "Slugger" Slade, and Patrick Horgan returning from a long injury. Edinburgh chose a side that included ten current Scottish Internationals.

In the third minute Edinburgh fly half Duncan Hodge hit a post with a penalty attempt from 30 metres. Two minutes later Neath were awarded a penalty and outside half Lee Jarvis made no mistake to give the All Blacks an early lead.

With 21 minutes gone wing Gareth Morris scored the games first try which was created by a sublime piece of skill from full back Shaun Connor; Jarvis was on target with the conversion. Neath's second try was scored by James Storey following good work by forwards and backs alike.

The home side hit back with ten points in three minutes just before the interval, firstly Duncan Hodge was on target with a short range penalty after Neath had been caught offside. Straight from the kick off home Centre Marcus DiRollo's kick ahead was touched down by wing Conan Sharman following confusion in the All Blacks defence, Hodge added the extra points for the conversion.

Early in the second half fullback Shaun Connor crossed for the All Blacks third try which was preceded by good inter passing amongst the Neath backs.

The home side turned defence into attack having turned over Neath ball on the halfway line, wing Cammie Murrey finished off the move by crossing for a try, which was converted by Duncan Hodge. Two minutes later Lee Jarvis extended the All Blacks lead with a well-taken drop goal.

Replacement Gordon Ross was on target with a penalty attempt to bring the home side within five points of Neath with only five points remaining. Tongan Torpedo Dave Tiueti scored a try in the corner to seal an historic first victory in League rugby in Scotland; Shaun Connor added the extra points for the conversion to put the icing on the cake for the All Blacks.

Man of the Match - Shaun Connor and 14 equal Runners Up

TEAM SHEET
The Neath team to play Edinburgh (away) on Tuesday 28th August, kick off at 7.30pm, will be as follows: -
1) Duncan Jones, 2) Barry Williams, 3) Andrew Millward, 4) John Slade, 5) Gareth Llewellyn, 6) Richard Francis, 7) Brett Sinkinson, 8) Nathan Bonner Evans, 9) Patrick Horgan, 10) Lee Jarvis , 11) Gareth Morris, 12) Allan Bateman, 13) James Storey, 14) Dave Tiueti, 15) Shaun Connor.

Replacements
Alfie Mocelutu, Steve Martin, Andrew Howell, Steve Jones, Dylan Pugh, Andy Moore, Paul Jones.