Neath V Pontypridd
Saturday 5th March 2005, 2.30pm KO

MATCH REPORT (by Phil Space)

(Photographs by Julian Brock)

NEATH 42 PONTYPRIDD 3
Neath strengthened their position at the top of the Welsh Premier League by inflicting upon Pontypridd the heaviest defeat that they have suffered for some time. The Blacks were always in command at The Gnoll and, if Neath were not fully back on song, at least this time they remembered most of the words.

Neath went ahead after just four minutes when outside-half James Hook kicked a penalty to pass 250 League points for the season and they soon extended their lead when they rattled the Ponty scrum backwards and No.8 Hywel Jenkins claimed a try.

It had been pretty much all Neath and they really ought to have added to their score before Ponty hit the Llantwit end for the first time, Neath's lineout went awry, across-field a scrum got turned and Ponty registered a penalty through pivot Dai Flanagan.

With the wind behind them, the Blacks laid siege to the Ponty line and visiting scrum-half Carl Thomas was sent off for some indelicate footwork on Neath lock Ian Evans that necessitated treatment. As a result, Hook kicked his second penalty and from the restart wing Aled Brew intercepted to stroll unimpeded to the line for Neath's second try that Hook goaled to make it 18-3 - a scoreline that fairly reflected the run of play.

Playing into the wind in the second half, the Blacks were always going to keep the ball in hand and, after sweeping upfield, they got the crucial first score when No.8 Jenkins drove over for his second try from close-range as Neath scrummaged far more purposefully than of late. It was Neath's 100th League try of the season and Hook's conversion made it 25-3.

Lock Ian Evans was enjoying a towering game against his old club and his good work - on the way to receiving the man of the match award - set up Neath's fourth try, James Hook weaving his way to the posts to make the conversion a formality.

Neath were by now well on top and good approach work produced a third try of the season for lock Chris Gittins out on the right flank and Neath passed the forty mark when winger Richard Johnston flew in for his 11th League try of the season.

Wales Under-21's flanker Tom Smith and centre Wayne Mitchell earned full marks for their efforts, the return of Pat Horgan and Andrew Howell lifted things and Paul Jones was a lively replacement. The Blacks might well have added to their score and over-eagerness cost them probably three more tries. But it was a vast improvement and the Blacks will need to produce something similar if they are to succeed on Wednesday at Caerphilly who have beaten Llanelli and Swansea in their last two outings.

Neath v Pontypridd - G.Morris (captain); A.Brew, A.Bevan (Mike Jones), W.Mitchell, R.Johnston; J.Hook (N.Clapham), P.Horgan (Mark Davies); A.W.Davies (P.Jones), A.Littlehales (E.Shervington), A.Howell; I.Evans (B.Davies), C.Gittins; T.Smith, H.Jenkins, L.Beach (A.Senio)

Neath's Ian Evans receives the Man of the Match Award for his performance against his former club Pontypridd, presented by former Neath full back Neil Harris and Gareth Powell of Persimmon homes. Photograph by Georgina Rewbridge

MATCH PREVIEW - NEATH V PONTYPRIDD
Neath return to home Welsh Premier League action at The Gnoll on Saturday, March 5th at 2.30pm with Pontypridd providing the opposition.

Earlier in the season, the Blacks won 22-13 at Pontypridd who compiled an 8-match winning run recently but they have lost their last two games - at Newport (3-21) and at Bridgend (12-16).

Pontypridd have a spine of experience in their squad led by Dale McIntosh, the "Chief", who is still giving of his best nowadays in the second row. Centre Jason Lewis and scrum-half Paul John are other survivors of their 1995/96 championship side.

But Ponty, like Neath, are investing in youth with several outstanding products available to the club. These include hooker Duane Goodfield (bound to play for Wales !), prop Ryan Harford, lock Chris Martenko, flanker Rhys Shellard, No.8 Daniel Godfrey, wing Rob Fussell, centre Thomas Riley and outside-half Dai Flanagan.

Of the more experienced members, full back Jason Pocock held the Glamorgan Wanderers' points-scoring record, Geraint Liddon was a Cup-finalist with Caerphilly last year, co-prop Gerald Cox, lock Grant Harrington and flanker Wayne O'Connor have been on the Ponty scene for three seasons now. Ponty might also call upon Cardiff Blues' centre Lee Thomas and back rower Mark Lewis.

As for Neath, the Blacks will be hit hard again by Ospreys' calls that have seen Cai Griffiths and Andrew Bishop summoned for duty in Leinster on Sunday while emerging scrum-half Martin Roberts and prop Craig Mitchell do Wales Under-19's duty at Ebbw Vale against Ireland on Friday.

But prop Andrew Howell has reported fit after being badly missed since Christmas, scrum-half Pat Horgan is also back on the fitness trail and No.8 Hywel Jenkins is fit to resume after missing the 25-10 win at Llanharan. Wales Under-21 "grand-slammers" Aled Brew, Ian Evans and Tom Smith are available too.

The match will be refereed by Tim Hayes (Carmarthen) who had charge of Neath's win over Newbridge and his touch-judges will be Gary Davies (Penygraig) who controlled Neath against Penclawdd and Chris Williams (Port Talbot).

Another 8 wins will secure the title for the Blacks who have been runners-up in the last two years but Newport, Llanelli and Bridgend (currently on an 11-match winning run) are poised to take advantage of any slip-ups.

After showers on Friday, the weather forecast is "sunny" and, with Welsh rugby having a similar outlook following the Six Nations' successes, a good crowd is expected - kick off 2.30pm.