Newbridge V Neath
Saturday 10th January 2004

MATCH REPORT

NEWBRIDGE 5 NEATH 22 (by Phil Space)

The Blacks went top of the Welsh Premier League when their mix of experience and youth proved sufficient to subdue a battling home side at Newbridge.

Neath re-introduced Kevin James on the right wing with Adrian Durston and Steve Tandy surplus to requirements from the Ospreys in a team that featured six Under-21's alongside four ex-internationals. With skipper Paul Jones on Ospreys duty, Neath were led for the first time by all-action hooker Darren Poland.

Neath went in front after a superb burst by Wayne Mitchell sent co-centre John Leyshon in for the first try that Matthew Jones converted. Newbridge had a good attacking spell that Neath withstood before Jones kicked a penalty to make it 10-nil at halftime.

In deteriorating conditions, the visiting defence was severely examined as Newbridge came back strongly in the second-half and they were back in the frame with a try by centre Gareth Turner.

But Matthew Jones broke Newbridge hearts when he latched onto a Richard Morgan defensive kick and sped 75 yards to score and convert. Then Adrian Durston produced a similar effort that left Newbridge on the end of an unflattering scoreline.

Neath now lead Newport by 3 points but the Rodney Paraders play the first of their three games in hand on Tuesday when Llanelli go there. Next Saturday, Cross Keys visit The Gnoll (2.30 pm) and Neath will again have to pull out all the stops if they are to add to their win in October.

Neath v Newbridge :- A.Durston; K.James, J.Leyshon, W.Mitchell, R.Johnston; Matthew Jones, R.Morgan; C.Griffiths, D.Poland (captain), A.Howell; M.Jones, B.Davies; B.Sinkinson, R.Phillips, S.Tandy Replacements :- C.Anderson, P.Horgan, A.Littlehales, A.Edwards, T.Davies, H.Jenkins, A.Llewellyn