Neath V Newport
Saturday 28th January 2006, 2.30pm Kick-Off

MATCH REPORT (Al Black)

Photos by Club Photographer, Julian Brock - Click Here

NEATH 23 NEWPORT 19
A chill wind blew in from the east, bringing with it Newport and the strongest challenge yet to Neath’s record of Gnoll invincibility.

Minus their Under-21’s, prop Cai Griffiths who had done 80-minutes for The Ospreys the previous evening and a few injured, it was a different-looking Neath team that took the field. A surprise inclusion was ex-Wales centre Leigh Davies who was making his first appearance in the famous Black shirt since the 45-25 win over Pontypridd on May 14th when Neath clinched the 1995/96 Welsh League title. For their part, Newport included an ex-Wales star too in prop Chris Anthony.

Although Neath ultimately won, Newport will consider themselves unlucky because, with the wind at their backs, they led with five minutes to go. However, they reckoned without the resilience and spirit of this Neath team that pulled the game out of the fire to record their 20th win in 21 outings this season.

Had Neath lost, they would have had only themselves to blame as they failed to make the most of the wind in the first-half when Newport had two players sin-binned. The Black and Ambers barely came out of their half but Neath made too many handling errors, forced and unforced, and had to settle for just an 8-nil interval lead.

Arwel Thomas, deputising for ace kicker James Hook who was one of five Neath lads involved in the Wales Under-21’s squad and debarred from this game, popped over a penalty on minutes but he failed with two long-range efforts that Neath might have been better off seeking attacking lineouts from given Newport’s numerical disadvantage. When Neath turned to the latter tactic, it brought immediate reward as flanker John McPhail (playing alongside Leigh Davies for the first time since their Neath Athletic junior days in 1992) crossed for the opening try.

Neath’s halftime advantage did not last long though as Newport outside-half Dan Griffiths nudged the visitors ahead with three penalties and they increased their lead when they exploited the blind-side to set up a corner try for right wing James Taylor that Griffiths converted from the touchline. At this stage, Newport looked likely winners but Neath, stirred into action, hit back with a penalty by Thomas and the Blacks levelled when winger Jonathan Spratt touched down in the clubhouse corner.

After missing two relatively easy penalties, Griffiths landed his fourth penalty to put Newport in charge again but back came Neath, replacement flanker Andy Llewellyn (who had done much to up the tempo) causing mayhem from the restart. Neath reclaimed the ball, Arwel Thomas nudged the ball hopefully towards the goal-line and, when Newport’s defence dithered, another replacement wing Steve Thomas nipped in to claim the winning touchdown that Arwel Thomas crucially converted leaving Newport needing more than a penalty. Neath now had the bit between their teeth though and kept Newport pegged back in their own half to claim the points.

In the end, Neath shaded it because they were more ambitious in their approach and scored 3 tries to 1. Neath have played better but there was much to appreciate in their effort, not least the superior mobility of their front row featuring those two amazing props Paul Jones and Andrew Howell and the tireless Gerwyn Price while Martin Morgan did the brunt of the lineout work against the big Gwent eight. John McPhail as usual spared nothing, Hywel Jenkins played a growing role, Andy Llewellyn sparked it off the bench and at scrum-half Gareth James gave further evidence that Neath have a winner once Patrick Horgan gets to work on him properly. The class act that is Leigh Davies looked as if he needs more regular rugby in Neath colours.

It was far from perfect but, if Neath do go on to win the championship, they will have cause to look back on the two wins over the Gwent flag-bearers as being key elements in their success.

Neath – N.Clapham (S.Thomas); G.Morris, L.Davies, W.Mitchell (S.Taumalolo), J.Spratt; A.Thomas, G.James; P.Jones (captain), G.Price, A.Howell; B.Davies (A.Llewellyn), M.Morgan; D.McShane, H.Jenkins, J.McPhail Other Replacements – R.Johnston, A.Littlehales, A.W.Davies, S.Pengelly
Newport – R.Williams; J.Taylor, R.Shorney (captain) (J.Rowles), R.Payne, W.Kershaw-Naylor; D.Griffiths, M.Thomas (G.Crothers); D.Patterson (I.Evans), R.James, C.Anthony; M.Workman, M.Veater (N.Watkins); S.Waldron, R.Jones, C.Davies
Referee : Mr. N.Whitehouse (Swansea)