Neath V Pontypool
Saturday 24th January 2004

MATCH REPORT

NEATH 49 PONTYPOOL 5 (by Phil Space)
The Blacks marched into the last 16 of the Welsh Cup with this 49-5 win over struggling Pontypool at The Gnoll on Saturday.

From the moment Matthew Jones kicked an opening minute penalty Neath never looked back although Pontypool enjoyed good spells in the game and tried hard throughout and probably deserved more than their sole try by winger Luke McCabe.

Neath were in a mean mood defensively and were pretty clinical in attack although other chances were squandered.

Centre John Leyshon got Neath's first try after the Blacks spread the ball but Pooler had a good spell before scrum-half Patrick Horgan nipped in for the second. Jones' second penalty took him past 200 points for the season and made it 16-nil.

Flanker Tu Tumarua inspired Pontypool's pack and they really took the game to Neath in the second quarter but the Blacks held firm before taking control with tries by both wings Richard Carter and Kevin James. Jones converted both and it was 30-nil at halftime.

Neath added to their tally when Mark Jones (thoroughly enjoying his time against his club of last year) set up James for his second and then prop Andrew Howell brought the biggest cheer of the day when he made the running for Neath's sixth try by flanker Andrew Llewellyn.

Jones' conversions made it 44-nil before McCabe's try and, with a little more steadiness, Pooler might have scored again but the Blacks signed off with try number seven by replacement lock Tom Davies, Chris Anderson's missed conversion depriving Neath of a second half-century in eight days.

The Blacks are certain to have a far harder time of it at Pontypool on Saturday (2.30pm) in the League where a win is essential. Neath remain level with Newport at the top of the table and it will be interesting to see what effect the Rodney Paraders' Cup exit has on their League challenge where they still have two games in hand.

Neath v Pontypool :- P.Bamsey; K.James, J.Leyshon, W.Mitchell, R.Carter; Matthew Jones, P.Horgan; P.Jones (captain), A.Littlehales, A.Howell; M.Jones, L.Bateman; A.Llewellyn, S.Phillips J.McPhail Replacements :- C.Anderson, R.Morgan, C.Griffiths, D.Poland, T.Davies, R.Phillips, B.Sinkinson