Neath V Pontypridd
Saturday 10th Sptember 2005, 2.30pm Kick-Off.

MATCH REPORT (by Al Black)

PONTYPRIDD 25 NEATH 21
If the Blacks needed an early warning that things are going to be tougher this season they got it at Sardis Road where the Welsh Champions slipped to their first-ever semi-pro defeat by Pontypridd. The margin of defeat may not have been great but Neath could have few complaints as they did not play well enough in too many areas to win a game they might have.

The Blacks started strongly as the forwards smashed Ponty onto the backfoot and the ball was spread quickly and accurately to centre Stephen Thomas who crossed for his first All Blacks’ try that James Hook converted. Sadly, the promise of the opening two minutes did not extend to the rest of the game in which Neath did not operate anything like fluently behind.

Ponty hit back with a try by hooker Ben Phillips to give the home side some belief and when full-back Arwel Thomas was yellow-carded on quarter of an hour for a professional foul Ponty seized their moment. They took advantage of Neath’s numerical deficiency to score 15 points and wrap up a lead they never lost.

Outside-half David Flanagan kicked Ponty ahead with a penalty and then set up winger Chris Clayton for two tries. Trailing 22-7, Neath were all at sea but the binning of Ponty’s ex-Newbridge hooker Leighton Davies allowed Neath to bounce back, two Hook penalties being their reward and a 22-13 halftime deficit.

The second-half was a scrappy affair but midway through Hook banged over his third penalty that narrowed the gap to 22-16 with only one score in it. For all their lack of composure outside, the Neath forwards were going reasonably well and the team’s spirit could not be faulted.

The introduction of assistant coach Patrick Horgan provided the direction for a try by Gareth Morris. Hook missed the conversion and Neath’s chance was gone especially when Flanagan added an injury-time penalty to clinch the game.

Ponty deserved their win as behind the scrum they played to a stronger pattern and offered more and the crowd of nearly 2,000 indicates that the Ponty supporters are getting behind their club at last.

Training-sessions at The Gnoll this week should be interesting as the Blacks aim to put their game together for Glamorgan Wanderers.

NEATH :- Arwel Thomas, Aled Bevan, Steve Thomas, Wayne Mitchell, Gareth Morris; James Hook, Martin Roberts; Paul Jones, Gerwyn Price, Cai Griffiths; Steve Martin (captain), Martin Morgan; Andy Llewellyn, Tom Smith, John McPhail. Replacements – Richard Johnston, Pat Horgan; Craig Mitchell, Andy Littlehales, Ben Davies, Dan McShane, James Davies

PONTY PANDA - DEBUT
This match saw the debut of Pontypridd's new mascot "The Ponty Panda" see below.
The Ponty Panda said: " I like seeing Neath and Swansea playing at Ponty as they are the only teams that have truly embraced Regional Rugby."