Neath 29 Newbridge 23
Saturday 4th October 2003

MATCH REPORT

A home win at last ! Far from the most convincing of displays - coach Rowland Phillips described it as "slovenly" - but more than good enough to get Neath's fourth win out of six to stay in fourth spot in the Premier League.

After the previous week's frolic against Swansea, it was nice to see some dour and determined tackling from both sides. Scrappy it may have been, but it was another valuable lesson for the Neath youngsters that Gwent sides will always battle - ask the Ospreys !

Newbridge coach Mike Watkins was a bit over the top when he said his pack "stuffed" the Neath eight. Yes, Neath struggled in the lineout but elsewhere it was even-Stevens and the Blacks' failure to put away Newbridge stemmed more from a series of handling errors, missed goalkicks and three last-ditch tackles by the visitors than it did from any perceived Newbridge superiority up front.

Spreading the ball wide, Gareth Morris raced in for two spectacular tries in the first-half and debut-making scrum-half Owen Gustafson went over from close in. The Neath backline looked far more threatening than Newbridge's and centre Wayne Mitchell's second-half score was no more than he deserved.

Matthew Jones added three conversions and a penalty but Newbridge kept in touch through outside-half Ross Watts who scored 18 points and they had a penalty try awarded by referee Colin Saunders.

Neath can expect another tough game next week when they visit Cross Keys who fell to a last-minute defeat at Aberavon on Saturday.

Neath :- R.Johnston; R.Carter, Mike Jones, W.Mitchell, G.Morris; Matthew Jones, O.Gustafson; P.Jones (capt), D.Poland, A.Howell; Mark Jones, B.Davies; H.Jenkins, S.Phillips, B.Sinkinson Replacements :- P.Bamsey, C.Anderson, D.Pittard, A.Littlehales, I.Ohlssen, G.Evans, J.McPhail

Man of the Match presentation
Man of the Match for the Newbridge match on Saturday October 4th, was Gareth Morris. Gareth is pictured receiving his bottle of Champagne from Sean Holley, Assistant Coach of the Neath-Swansea Ospreys