Llandovery V Neath
Friday 17th March 2006, 7.15pm Kick-Off.

MATCH REPORT (by Al Black)

LLANDOVERY 13 NEATH 20
Neath struggled to get their game together at wind-blasted Llandovery but ultimately the better – and more constructive – side won a crucial victory that was made all the more relevant when news came through from Swansea that closest rivals Aberavon had been defeated by a 22-point haul from Neath’s Matthew Jones.

Playing into the face of the wind, Neath started strongly with some trademark bursts by Martin Morgan and Hywel Jenkins. The Blacks took an early lead through an Arwel Thomas penalty and enjoyed much the better of the first-half but the visitors were guilty of spurning a number of chances. On half a dozen occasions they opened up the defence only for the final ball to be spilled. As a result, Llandovery nosed ahead through two penalties by outside half Tomos Marks and on halftime the home side were delighted to go further ahead when all Neath’s backs were caught on the right, and Marks booted turnover ball to the right where wing Ifan Evans took full advantage of a kind bounce to score a try that Marks converted.

Llandovery’s 10-point lead barely seemed enough, so strong was the wind, but Neath were unable to dent the home side’s defence as careless hands continued to afflict them. Llandovery lost prop Dennis Pugh for a second yellow-card but the numbers were evened up when Neath prop Craig Mitchell was binned when his frustration at the home side’s ball-killing boiled over. On the hour, Neath at last managed to finish off a movement as winger Stephen Thomas crossed and the winger repeated the dose soon after when he popped up on the other flank.

At 13-13, Arwel Thomas missed a wind-borne penalty from halfway but Neath’s continued pressure began to tell and replacement scrum-half Gareth James scooted through the home defence from 35 yards out to score at the posts and Arwel Thomas converted. Just before the end, Neath should have scored again when James again broke away but, harried by two defenders, lost the ball under the posts. Precision of pass and ball retention must improve if sterner tasks ahead are to be won !

* Finally, a word of congratulations to the hookers – despite the strong wind, only one lineout was called up for not straight !

Neath – G.Morris; S.Thomas, A.Bevan, J.Spratt, R.Johnston; A.Thomas , P.Horgan (G.James); A.Howell (P.Jones), G.Price (A.Littlehales), C.Mitchell; S.Martin (captain), M.Morgan; D.McShane (A.Llewellyn), H.Jenkins (B.Davies), S.Pengelly (J.McPhail)
Llandovery – I.Davies; I.Evans, H.Thomas, J.van Wyk, M.Bowen; T.Marks, I.Mainwaring (R.Walters); D.Pugh (Dale Williams), A.Yelland (K.Allen), A.Williams; T.Walker, A.Davies (capt), (V.Cooper); C.Davies, J.Mills, E.Gwynne (G.Thomas)
Referee – Mr. N.Ballard (Cardiff)