Neath 38 Swansea 48
Saturday 27th September 2003

MATCH REPORT

Neath conceded second place behind Newport at the top of the Welsh Premier when they lost an 11-try sizzler at The Gnoll to Swansea.

The attendance of 2,250 saw the Whites outscore the Blacks by 6 tries to 5 but Neath will be far from happy with their tackling and with their line-kicking.

Swansea won the game in the first-half when they constructed a 24-13 interval lead through tries by outside-half Luke Richards, full back Gareth Swales and wing Rhys Jones, Richards converting three and landing a penalty.

Ironically Neath got off to a great start, wing Gareth John flying over for the first try, outside-half Chris Anderson converting and later adding two penalties.

Swansea started the second half strongly, moving the ball for centre Chris Shelmardine to score their fourth try before Neath captain Paul Jones bashed his way through four defenders.

Whites centre Matthew Brayley (voted man-of-the-match by "Scrum V" 's Graham Thomas) blew away terrible Neath tackling to score under the posts but Neath came back with tries by replacement No.8 Hywel Jenkins and centre John Leyshon.

Scrum-half Richard Rees scored Swansea's sixth try before Neath's Wayne Mitchell got his side's fifth - the 11th of a remarkable game. Neath came off second best in goalkicking terms too where Luke Richards piled up 23 points in all for Swansea and Neath's replacement outside-half Matthew Jones kicked a second-half conversion and a penalty.

Neath will be looking for their first home win on Saturday when Newbridge come to The Gnoll (2.30 pm).

Neath :- P.Bamsey; G.John, J.Leyshon, W.Mitchell, R.Johnston; C.Anderson, P.Horgan; P.Jones (capt), A.Littlehales, A.Howell; Mark Jones, B.Davies; B.Sinkinson, A.Llewellyn, J.McPhail
Replacements :- Mike Jones, Matthew Jones, R.Morgan, I.Ohlssen, D.Poland, T.Davies, H.Jenkins

Man of the match presentation for the Swansea match.
The man of the match Matthew Brayley is represented by Swansea Head Coach, Tony Clement, and Graham Thomas, from BBC Scrum V is represented by Neath RFC Head Coach, Rowland Phillips

Mascots for the Swansea RFC match at the Gnoll on Saturday 27th Sept
Jack Tomlinson (aged 7 years) and Ella Davies (aged 5 years), pictured with Head Coach Rowland Phillips