Neath V Bridgend
Saturday 17th April 2004

MATCH REPORT

BRIDGEND 14 points NEATH 29 points (by Phil Space)
Neath booked themselves a quick return ticket to the Millennium Stadium for a showdown against the Cheesemen of Caerphilly when they comfortably overcame Bridgend by 4 tries to 1.

It was Neath's 12th Welsh Cup semi-final and, although Bridgend threatened in the first-half through three penalties by outside-half Austen Howells, the Blacks always looked likely to make it through to their 9th final.

After falling behind to a Howells penalty, Neath's first try was a wonderful effort by wing Kevin James who took an inside pass from outside-half Matthew Jones and then veered right to bamboozle the Bridgend defence and score wide out. Despite slipping, Jones converted from the touchline before Howells struck again.

But Neath's big forwards were making their mark and from a forceful drive No.8 Hywel Jenkins, happily restored after injury, crossed for the second try. A Howells-Jones penalty exchange kept the board moving before full back Gareth Morris entered the line at speed and skinned Bridgend full back Anthony Carter on the outside.

His touchdown in the left corner left Jones with a difficult kick but the young outside-half was up to the task and goaled it to give Neath a 22-9 halftime advantage.

Bridgend needed to respond quickly after the interval but Neath took up the running and a deft chip by Jenkins saw winger Richard Johnston flying to the corner and, showing cricketer's hands, he gathered to touch down. Another touchline conversion by Matthew Jones made it 29-9 and Neath were sailing it.

Bridgend kept battling and after their best period of sustained pressure No.8 Nathan Strong was able to cross for a try that had "consolation" written all over it.

Neath were content to play for position over the remainder of the game, keeping Bridgend penned in their 22 and the Blacks came desperately close to scoring on a couple of occasions. Replacement lock Ben Davies seemed to have grounded and the touch-judge was on his way behind the posts, then Jones missed a kickable penalty.

A perfect display would have seen Neath really ram home their advantage but in any case Neath were worthy winners. The backs looked full of running with youngsters centre Wayne Mitchell and scrum-half Richard Morgan showing up well.

Bridgend coach Richard Webster was full of praise for the power of the Neath pack in which lock Lyndon Bateman and Jenkins supplied good lienout ball and flankers Brett Sinkinson and John McPhail and hooker Darren Poland displayed their usual tigerish qualities.

The "grand old men" in the front five skipper Paul Jones, prop Andrew Howell and lock Mark Jones showed the enthusiasm of youth in creating a solid working platform.

Only downside on the day was the sparse attendance for the back-to-back semi-finals. Over a third of the total crowd were from Neath but having a few thousand knocking around a stadium that holds over 70,000 hardly lends itself to atmosphere.

All four semi-finalists would have preferred fillable neutral venues and it is high time that the WRU started listening to its top clubs who understand more about these things - and, it seems, more about how the semi-professional League should be run !

So, the All Blacks are once again final-bound but they will be looking for a change of luck. The 1992/93 trophy went to Stradey on the back of Gareth Simmonds' decision to award Emyr Lewis an illegal drop-goal and Neath's last final saw them bettered by Newport when the use of a "television referee" may have seen Neath take the Cup.

The countdown begins …… but first it's Cardiff at The Gnoll on Saturday (5.30pm) then Pontypridd next Wednesday (7.15pm).