Neath V Maesteg
Sunday 23rd April 2006, 5.10pm KO

MATCH REPORT (by Al Black)

MAESTEG 9 NEATH 50 (WRU CUP SEMI-FINAL)
Neath reached their 10th WRU Cup final with an emphatic victory over Maesteg to keep them on target for a league and cup double. After a tight first-half when Neath’s attacking intent was largely thwarted by a Maesteg team intent on keeping the ball close to the mauls, the Blacks cut loose in the second-half and really there only ever looked one likely winner.

Just six days after winning on the same ground against Aberavon in the League, Neath began where they left off and, after James Hook pushed a first-minute drop-goal attempt wide, the Blacks stretched Maesteg right, left, then right again for winger Stephen Thomas to break some weak tackles and claim a 24th try of the season in league and cup. Outside-half Hook landed the conversion but the Old Parish struck back with two penalties for scrummage offences from Stuart Morris that Hook soon cancelled out with two of his own.

Neath’s positive intent was evident to one and all so it was strange that yet again Mr. Fear handed the first yellow card of the day to the Blacks, impressive flanker Andy Llewellyn the unlucky recipient. Morris slotted over the penalty but just before half-time Hook also completed a penalty hat-trick to make it 16-9 to Neath at the break.

The Blacks lifted the pace after the break and five minutes into the second half the game was as good as over. A touchline run by full-back Gareth Morris set up a lineout (a strong phase of Neath’s game throughout) and Hook and No. 8 Dan McShane exploited the blind-side for centre Wayne Mitchell to crash over for their second try that Hook converted.

Maesteg’s centre Alun Brown was binned and Neath went further ahead when full-back Morris dropped a goal to extend the lead to 26-9 before scrum-half Patrick Horgan sent John McPhail into space and the outstanding back-rower powered 25 metres for Neath's third try. Hook converted his third and then Stephen Thomas split the Old Parish defence and found locks Steve Martin and Martin Morgan up in support, Morgan cantering over for Neath’s fourth try.

At 38-9, Maesteg were down and out and when Hook sent Stephen Thomas away, the result was inevitable : the wing man’s 25th try of the season. The Blacks sealed the game when they worked a huge overlap and full back Morris got the sixth touchdown, Hook's fourth conversion making it a round half century.

As the scoreline suggests, the Blacks were worthy winners but a sterner task awaits them in the final against Pontypridd, the only side to have lowered their colours this season. It will be a repeat of the 1996 final that Ponty won 29-22 so the Blacks will be out to redress the balance. Before that though, Neath have another job to do with Bridgend coming to The Gnoll on Wednesday evening (7.15pm)

MAESTEG – L.Warner; G.John, R.Boobyer, A.Brown (N.Dixon), G.Epton; S.Morris( J.Dixon), K.Ellis (R.Morgan); G.Edwards, G.Thomas (L.Williams), S.Tremlett (C.Hopkins); G.Ronan, M.Collins; M.Sainsbury (A.Peever), M.Wareham (G.Bartlett), I.Boobyer (captain)
NEATH – G.Morris; S.Thomas, J.Spratt, W.Mitchell, A.Brew (N.Clapham); J.Hook, P.Horgan (M.Roberts); A.W.Davies (P.Jones), E.Shervington (G.Price), C.Mitchell; S.Martin (captain), M.Morgan; A.Llewellyn (B.Davies), D.McShane, J.McPhail (J.Davies)
Referee : Mr. P.Fear (Bridgend)