Neath V Pontypridd
Wednesday 28th April 2004

MATCH REPORT

NEATH 26 PONTYPRIDD 16 (by Phil Space)
In their final run-out before the Welsh Cup final, Neath showed a lot more grit than they had against Cardiff and reaped their reward with a third victory of the season over Pontypridd.

Third-placed Ponty have lost only to Newport and Neath (twice) since Christmas and they looked a very competent, confident outfit at The Gnoll where the Blacks had to work hard for victory.

Few would argue with the outcome as Neath scored 3 tries as against a "gift" to the opposition but it took last-ditch tackles by home centres Mike Jones and Wayne Mitchell to defend the All Blacks try-line in the second-half.

Ponty took the lead through a penalty by outside-half Lee Thomas after full back Paul Bamsey had a kick charged down. Neath pivot Matthew Jones levelled and the Blacks took the lead following another charge-down with centre Mike Jones gratefully accepting the chance to put the home side in front.

Two Thomas penalties speared Ponty into the lead but the Blacks got their second try. It came from a short lineout and was not perfect but prop Cai Griffiths was eventually driven over and Jones converted from wide out.

But then disaster struck as Neath messed up a lineout on the Ponty 10 yard-line and confusion between Matthew Jones and Kevin James saw Ponty hack through and Wales Under-21 star Matthew Nuthall scored for Thomas to convert.

That made it 16-15 to Ponty, a lead they took into the interval although wing Richard Carter ought to have made more of a chance just before the whistle.

If the first-half was a bit scrappy, the second-half was pulsating as Neath, now with wind advantage, tried to overturn Ponty's lead. After a few botched try opportunites at either end, Matthew Jones slid the All Blacks in front with his second penalty.

The Neath forwards then upped their game and from a lineout drove Ponty some 30 metres back towards their own line in an unstoppable rolling maul that culminated in tight-head Griffiths getting his second try.

Co-prop Paul Jones and Brett Sinkinson (who led the team out to a standing ovation on his farewell Gnoll appearance) were in the thick of things throughout and No.8 Ben Davies gave another sound display and the Blacks made the game safe with a third penalty for Jones

Now it is all eyes on the Cup Final and Caerphilly at the Millennium Stadium on May 8th.

Neath v Pontypridd :- P.Bamsey; K.James, Mike Jones, W.Mitchell (J.Leyshon), R.Carter; Matthew Jones (C.Anderson), O.Gustafson; P.Jones, A.Littlehales, C.Griffiths; Mark Jones, L.Bateman; B.Sinkinson, B.Davies, J.McPhail (A.Llewellyn) Two try hero Cai Griffiths was judged Man-of-the-Match by Ospreys South African wing Stefan Terblanche but Paul Jones and Wayne Mitchell must have pushed him close.

Neath V Pontypridd Stefan Terblanche making the
Man of the Match presentation to Cai Griffiths

GEORGE LEWIS
A minute's silence was observed before the game in memory of former Supporters' Club Life member George (Faust) Lewis. Cremation at Margam crematorium on Friday, April 30 at 9.30 am

RELEGATION
Wednesday's results mean that Neath may yet play a role in the relegation battle. Threatened teams :-
Ebbw Vale 30-31
Cardiff 29-30 Swansea (H) May 1
Llanelli 29-29 Carm. Quins (A) May 2
Llandovery 29-29 Cross Keys (H)
Pontypool 28-28 Bedwas (H) May 1, NEATH (H) May 12