Neath V Ospreys Region Select XV
Friday 3rd February 2006, 7.15pm KO

MATCH REPORT (Al Black)

(Photographs by Mike Greenslade - Click Here)

NEATH 29 OSPREYS SELECT XV 19
Neath struggled to impose themselves in this match arranged for Patrick Horgan’s benefit and only pulled the match out of the fire late in the second-half.

With many players away on international duty and holidays, Neath introduced Tonna props Johnnie Thomas and Richard Durnell and resurrected ex-Aberavon captain Dafydd Owen while the Ospreys Select leaned heavily on Maesteg whose contingent was headed by former Gnoll favourites Allan Bateman and Ian Boobyer.

A disappointingly small crowd turned out on a bitterly cold night to honour one of Neath’s best and, after a carefree opening of almost Barbarians laxity, they saw the Ospreys XV take the lead with a try by wing Neil Dixon.

Neath prop Andrew Howell then took centre stage with two tries in quick succession – the first from a forward drive and the second from a wonderful 30 yard charge on the back of a piece of Neil Clapham magic. But the Ospreys, winning plenty of ball from all phases, went ahead before halftime with well-crafted tries by full back Aaron Bramwell and centre Alun Brown, both of which Bramwell converted.

Neath had some thinking to do and, after Patrick Horgan left the field after soldiering through 50 minutes, the Blacks began to assert themselves. Flanker Simon Pengelly crossed after a superb reverse slip by replacement Gareth James, Aled Bevan converted and the Blacks took the lead when replacement flanker Gerwyn Price burrowed over for what is becoming one of his customary tries, Bevan again converting. Right on time, Neath scattered a tiring Ospreys defence for centre Wayne Mitchell to touch down.

Neath – G.Morris; N.Clapham, J.Spratt, W.Mitchell, R.Johnston; A.Thomas (A.Bevan), P.Horgan (captain) (G.James); J.Thomas (R.Durnell), A.Littlehales (G.Price), A.Howell (P.Jones); D.Owen, H.Jenkins; J.McPhail, A.Llewellyn, S.Pengelly
Ospreys XV – A.Bramwell (A.Banfield); N.Dixon (L.Bevan), A.Bateman, A.Brown, J.Pike; L.Thomas, G.Hooper; C.Hopkins (J.Davies), A.James (A.Matthews), R.Jones (N.White); R.Gierat, M.Collins; D.Blyth, S.Phillips (C.Moses), I.Boobyer

Referee – Mr. K.Bowen (Llannon)