Maesteg V Neath
Wednesday 12th April 2006

MATCH REPORT (by Al Black)

MAESTEG 6 NEATH 25
On a murky Maesteg night that was almost designed for the home team, Principality Premiership leaders Neath registered their 30th victory in 31 outings this season.

In view of the forthcoming Welsh Cup semi-final, both sides were well below full strength but Neath’s greater depth was evident from the start as, despite showing eight changes from the side that blasted Carmarthen Quins, they hit Maesteg early with a try by try-hungry scrum-half Gareth James that Arwel Thomas converted.

Outside-half Thomas soon added a penalty but Maesteg battled back with some good driving mauls by their forwards and they were rewarded with two penalties by promising outside-half James Dixon. Neath did a sound job of containing Maesteg but too many Blacks’ attacking opportunites foundered in the wet conditions or on the not always sympathetic whistle and it is safe to say that Llynfi Road did not get a full taste of what Neath are about.

The Blacks came out firing from the restart and when the Neath forwards marched their opponents back fully 30 metres at a lineout, a perfectly judged cross kick by Arwel Thomas led to a try by wing Aled Brew that silenced the Maesteg detractors in the crowd which, as ever, comprised a Neath majority.

Thomas converted from the touchline and he added a second penalty before being replaced by James Hook. Neath almost added to their 20-6 lead but the touch-judge ruled out a “score” by centre Jonathan Spratt. Neath were not to be denied though and replacement scrum-half Patrick Horgan dabbed down for Neath’s third try when the mighty Black eight rolled back Maesteg at a scrum.

Amidst a flurry of late replacements, Neath had captain and lock Steve Martin yellow carded late on and Maesteg threatened the Neath line but were held out by the lock-tight Neath defence.

Maesteg – G.Epton; A.Brown, A.Bateman (S.Morris), J.Devereux, G.John; J.Dixon, R.Morgan; G.Edwards (A.Healy), G.Thomas (L.Williams), C.Hopkins (S.Tremlett); A.Peever, G.Ronan (I.Boobyer); M.Collins, G.Bartlett, J.Jones
Neath - N.Clapham; A.Brew, J.Spratt, W.Mitchell, G.Morris; A.Thomas (J.Hook), G.James (P.Horgan); C.Griffiths (A.W.Davies), A.Littlehales (G.Price), C.Mitchell; S.Martin (captain), M.Morgan; B.Davies, D.McShane (A.Llewellyn), S.Pengelly (J.McPhail)
Referee : Mr. P.Connett (Hafod-yr-Ynys)