Newport V Neath
Saturday 10th April 2004

MATCH REPORT

NEWPORT 32 NEATH 27 (by Phil Space)
The Blacks were second best at Newport on Saturday evening and the fact that this heart-stopping game was "a wonderful advertisement for Welsh Premier rugby" was of little consolation to Neath as the League title is seemingly destined for Rodney Parade.

Heading into the game, winning the title would have been a long shot for Neath as, owing to Newport's superior try-count, the Usksiders would have had to lose to somebody else and, although Bedwas achieved it, Aberavon, Caerphilly and Cross keys would not have stopped the Black and Ambers in this mood. Neath gave themselves high hopes of taking Newport's ground record as they shot into a 20-3 lead through tries by wing Kevin James and flanker Brett Sinkinson, outside-half Matthew Jones converting both and kicking two penalties.

But Newport hauled themselves back with two penalties by ex-Whitland outside-half Daniel Griffiths, one of several West Walians in the home side, who converted a try by No.8 Rhys Jones.

That score was achieved when Sinkinson was off the field and the loss of skipper Paul Jones then scrum-half Patrick Horgan cut deep into Neath's organisation though not their resolve.

Newport hammered at the Neath line for fully 30 minutes of the second-half and it was a miracle that the defence held as firmly as it did for so long. Tries were finally conceded to Gareth Gravelle, Scott Williams and Will Kershaw-Naylor, the last one rather luckily. Griffiths converted two and Newport were in command.

Neath kept going and got a late reward with a try by centre Adrian Durston converted by Jones but the 4,000+ noisy Usksiders that comprised the bulk of the League's biggest crowd this season went home happy leaving Neath to concentrate on the Cup.

Neath v Newport :- G.Morris; K.James, A.Durston, W.Mitchell, R.Johnston; Matthew Jones, P.Horgan; P.Jones (captain), A.Littlehales, A.Howell; Mark Jones, L.Bateman; B.Sinkinson, S.Phillips, S.Peters Replacements : J.Leyshon, R.Morgan; C.Griffiths, D.Poland, T.Davies, A.Llewellyn, J.McPhail