Pontypridd V Neath
Saturday 9th October 2004, 2.30pm KO.

MATCH REPORT (by Phil Space)

PONTYPRIDD 16 NEATH 20
Neath went to the top of the Welsh Premier Division with a hard-fought victory at Sardis Road. Seeking their sixth successive win, the Blacks moved slickly into gear with a try by skipper Gareth Morris and outside-half James Hook added the conversion points.

Wind-assisted Ponty then enjoyed the better of the first-half as Neath yielded possession too often and the home side levelled with a try by centre Tom Riley (was there an aged maternal influence at work ?) that full back Jason Pocock converted to pass the 1600 point mark in League rugby.

Two penalties by the ex-Glamorgan Wanderers kicking ace gave Ponty a halftime advantage of 13-7 but Neath used territorial advantage to register their second try when centre Wayne Mitchell finished off a huge overlap to score on the right.

Pocock raised Ponty to 16-12 but Neath stole ahead when outside-half Hook conjured their third try with a sparkling piece of individual skill. Gathering his own kick ahead, he fed left wing Richard Johnston who touched down for his third League try of the season.

Paul Jones was yellow carded from the restart but Neath, summoning strong replacements from the bench in John McPhail, Chris Gittins and Andrew Howell, finished stronger and Hook landed a penalty to just about make it safe.

Coach Rowland Phillips said it was a game Neath needed after several easy victories of late and things will be just as tough on Tuesday when the Blacks visit Newbridge (7.15pm).

Neath team - Gareth Morris (captain); Aled Brew, Aled Bevan (Andrew Bishop), Wayne Mitchell, Richard Johnston; James Hook, Martin Roberts (Mark Davies); Paul Jones, Mefin Davies, Craig Mitchell (Andrew Howell); Steve Martin, Ian Evans (Chris Gittins); Tom Smith (John McPhail), Hywel Jenkins, Lee Beach