Neath V Llangennech
Saturday 18th February 2006, 2.30pm Kick-Off.

MATCH REPORT (Al Black)

(Photographs by Julian Brock - Click Here)

NEATH 51 LLANGENNECH 7
Neath progressed to the Welsh Cup quarter-finals with a comfortable 8 tries to 1 victory over a gallant Llangennech side who never gave up the ghost at The Gnoll and probably deserved a couple more scores themselves.

The Blacks conceded too many penalties, offered too many forward passes and lost the ball going forward too frequently for Rowland Phillips and the coaching staff to be totally satisfied but from the outset there was never much doubt as to the outcome of this tie.

Sustaining possession impressively, the Blacks conjured up a second-minute try for full back Neil Clapham and extended their lead with a penalty by centre Aled Bevan. Scrum-half Pat Horgan then robbed a retreating Llangennech scrum in the Neath half and his skilful reverse pass launched the Neath backs before flanker Andy Llewellyn gave the scoring pass to left wing Richard Johnston. The Blacks were beginning to get their game together and excellent work by man-of-the-match lock Martin Morgan was instrumental in Neath’s third try – a second for Clapham.

Outstanding prop Paul Jones then burst away from a lineout and outside-half Jonathan Spratt’s inside pass found Stephen Thomas who blazed through to score at the posts for Bevan to convert. The right wing then added the finishing touches to another wonderful Neath move from quick turnover ball outside their own 22. Bevan’s conversion sent the Blacks into a 32-nil lead but on the stroke of halftime Llangennech got the reward their efforts deserved when hooker Simon Wooler pounced for a blindside try at a lineout and outside-half Mark Jones converted splendidly from wide out.

That score greatly encouraged the visitors who started the second-half brightly and territorially had the upper hand. But when play switched to the other end, Neath demonstrated Premiership precision as they were immediately awarded a penalty try after the Llan scrum was once more rocked backwards.

Bevan converted but Llangennech hit back and turned down several kickable penalties in pursuit of attacking lineouts, an aspect of play where they fared reasonably well. However, the Neath defence held firm and another quality break out saw Johnston kick ahead for Clapham to collect and touch down for his hat-trick. Bevan landed his fourth conversion and just before time the centre went over for a try to clinch a personal haul of 16 points.

Neath – N.Clapham; S.Thomas, A.Bevan, W.Mitchell (S.Taumalolo), R.Johnston; J.Spratt, P.Horgan; P.Jones (A.W.Davies), A.Littlehales (G.Price), C.Mitchell (A.Howell); S.Martin (captain), M.Morgan; A.Llewellyn (B.Davies), H.Jenkins, S.Pengelly (J.Davies)
Llangennech – G.Rees (R.Phillips); W.Price, I.Taffetsaufer, J.Morgan, M.Jacobs; M.Jones (I.James), C.Davies (captain); G.Morgan, S.Wooler, P.Willock (N.George) (C.Francis); I.Evans (G.Roberts), K.Davies; G.Bateman (L.Williams), R.Thomas, I.Rees
Referee – Mr. H.Hopkins (Blackwood)