Neath V Aberavon
Saturday 20th December 2003

MATCH REPORT

NEATH 33 ABERAVON 21 (by Phil Space)

"And peace fell all around…" With Newport out of action, Neath went joint-top of the Premier Division by doubling Aberavon. Despite the pre-match hype, Neath enjoyed a fairly comfortable victory over their near neighbours in front of over 3,000 fans at The Gnoll on Saturday.

The Blacks had too much pace all round for Aberavon who stuck in the game and were consoled by the two late tries they gained when Neath were hit by a couple of sin-binnings.

Neath, playing at pace, set the standard in the first-half when they frequently had Aberavon defending desperately and a string of penalties went the All Blacks' way as the Wizards infringed rather than let tries be scored.

The Blacks did score one gem when full back Gareth Morris ran the ball from near his own line. Elvis Seveali'i took up pace and prop Andrew Howell steamed up in support before Patrick Horgan's cleverly placed kick brought nightmares for Aled James and Lenny Woodard who allowed fit-again centre Wayne Mitchell to touch down. Three penalties by Matthew Jones against one by Jamie Davies made it 14-3 at halftime.

Neath exploded into the second-half, the forwards rolling Aberavon backwards 25 yards before Jones placed a pinpoint kick for Elvis Seveali'i to collect and touch down and further forward pressure brought a try for impressive No.8 Hywel Jenkins.

With Neath leading 27-9 and the game won, Aberavon stirred themselves as Neath lost their way through two sin-binnings and a flurry of replacements and they got late tries by former Neath No.8 Richard Morris and Jamie Davies. He scored 16 points in all but Neath had the last word when Matthew Jones landed his sixth penalty of the afternoon.

Neath were not as clinical as they might have been but they took the league double to win the "War of O'Callaghan's Posterior" and must now concentrate on their tough Cup trip to Llandovery who defeated a very strong Cardiff side at the weekend.

Supporters wishing to reserve places on the buses should contact the Club Office by noon on Monday.

Neath :- G.Morris; E.Seveali'i J.Leyshon, W.Mitchell, R.Johnston; Matthew Jones, P.Horgan; P.Jones (captain), D.Poland, A.Howell;; Mark Jones, L.Bateman; B.Sinkinson, H.Jenkins, J.McPhail Replacements :- G.Morris, P.Horgan, C.Griffiths, A.Littlehales, T.Davies, A.Llewellyn, S.Phillips

BEFORE	AFTER

Man Of the Match Award: Andrew Howell (Presented by former Neath and Wales Prop Brian Williams).	Nostalgic Moment: Mark Jones and Brian Williams