Maesteg V Neath
Saturday 21st August 2004, 2.30pm K.O.

MATCH REPORT (by Ed Ittah)

The Welsh all Blacks continued in fine style at The Old Parish Ground, Maesteg. After only nine minutes following a series of rolling mauls the ball was passed swiftly along the line for wing Aled Brew to score in the corner. The try was not converted.

Following some elusive running by wing Aled Brew which resulted in a penalty for foul play in the ruck, secured a kick into corner by James Hook. This resulted in a try from the lineout by prop Paul Jones, converted by James Hook. The conversion was well above the posts - not as high as our new posts, commented one of the Neath Supporters.

Neath dominated much of the first half which was brought to a close by a quickly taken penalty, passed along the line for another try by Aled Brew in the corner. Half Time Score Maesteg 0 Neath 19

As this was a friendly / trial match, Neath made use of the squad system in the second half which resulted in several substitutions too numerous to mention.

Sustained pressure resulted in a try by Richard Carter. (not converted).

Neath continued to dominate the first period of the second half and newly-elected Club Captain Gareth Morris scored a fine individual try again converted by James Hook.

In the latter part of the second half, Maesteg came back in fine style aided by the big hits by substitute Allan Bateman, the former Neath / Welsh centre. This pressure resulted in a try for Maesteg by second row forward, Kevin Bowring.

Neath were caught on the back foot and further misery followed for the Welsh All Blacks by an intercepted try by Morgan Southall which he also converted, bringing the score to 12 - 31.

Further pressue by Neath resulted in an individual try by Fullback Nicky Jones, converted by Hook.

Maesteg fought back immediately with another try, to bring the score to 17 - 38

With ten minutes left on the clock, Neath fullback Nicky Jones, scored another try converted by Hook (17 - 45)

Some slick passing prior to the final whistle saw a long pass missing out the centres to give a clear path for winger Richard Johnston to score in the corner unopposed.

Final Score Maesteg 17, Neath 50

Starting Lineup:
15 Gareth Morris (Capt.), 14 Richard Carter, 13 Mike Jones, 12 Andrew Bishop, 11 Aled Brew, 10 James Hook, 9 Mark Davies, 8 Lee Beach, 7 John McPhail, 6 Andrew Llewellyn, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Steve Martin, 3 Cai Griffiths, 2 Alun Wyn Bevan, 1 Paul Jones
Subs: Andrew Howell, Neil Senio, Lyndon Bateman, Mark Harvey, Nick Jones, Martin Roberts, Chris Gittins.