Newbridge V Neath
Tuesday 12th October 2004. 7.15pm KO

MATCH REPORT (by Phil Space)

NEWBRIDGE 16 NEATH 29
The Blacks retained top spot in the Welsh Premier Division but they made life tough for themselves at Newbridge where the never-say-die home team kept themselves going to the end thanks mainly to Neath's mistakes.

Neath started well, storming into the lead with a penalty by outside-half James Hook then a try by flanker Andrew Llewellyn who capitalised on some excellent pressurising of the Newbridge defence.

The first of three longish-range penalties by outside-half Jonathan Williams kept Newbridge in the hunt before the Blacks struck incisively with a seventh try of the season for fit-again full back Neil Clapham and Hook converted.

A second Williams penalty followed before Neath conjured up the try of the night, started and finished by captain Gareth Morris who marked the ball in his own 22 and opened up by linking with his threequarters before scoring at the posts for Hook to convert.

Williams kicked his third goal to give Newbridge coach Mike Watkins something upon which to base his interval team-talk and Neath's 22-9 lead never developed into greater things.

Prop Andrew Howell was sin-binned for taking immediate retaliatory action when he was driven out of a maul, Hook missed a kickable penalty and, when Neath were restored to full quota, Newbridge somehow mauled their way to the line. Replacement hooker Leighton Davies was credited with a try that Williams converted from the touchline.

At 16-22, Newbridge were back in it but Neath produced an instantaneous response as Dave Tiueti, playing his first game for Neath since May 2003, arrowed through and fed Clapham whose eighth try of the season under the posts was easily goaled by Hook.

Neath had further opportunities to expand their lead but they lacked the killer instinct - the hallmark of champions. Imperfect as it was, Neath are to be commended for their second away win against proud opponents in four days - and the Blacks must seek further improvement against high-riding Bridgend on Saturday at The Gnoll ( kick off 2.30pm).

Neath v Newbridge - Neil Clapham; Gareth Morris (captain), Dave Tiueti, Andrew Bishop, Richard Johnston; James Hook, Mark Davies (Martin Roberts); Paul Jones (Andrew Howell), Andrew Littlehales (Darren Poland), Cai Griffiths; Steve Martin, Chris Gittins; Andrew Llewellyn (Tom Smith), Hywel Jenkins, John McPhail (Aionon Senio) Replacements - Wayne Mitchell, Ian Evans