Swansea V Neath
Friday 4th November 2005, 7.15pm KO

MATCH REPORT (Al Black)

SWANSEA 3 NEATH 39

Match Photographs Here

This was something special from Neath !  On the weekend that the All Blacks of New Zealand outplayed Wales, the All Blacks of Neath did a similar job on Swansea.

 The Blacks were awesome on the night and, although Swansea came out firing after their 11-30 defeat at Aberavon the previous week, they were soon on the receiving end from a Neath side that played as well as it has done since Newport.

 Neath took the lead after seven minutes when outside-half Arwel Thomas slid a kick through and right wing Steve Thomas touched down. With Steve Martin setting a splendid example and their forwards going great guns, Neath established territorial dominance and, after Martin Morgan was stupidly barged out of a lineout, centre James Hook stepped up to kick a penalty. A Swansea attack was then broken down by an interception from bullocking prop Paul Jones who charged away and handed on an expert pass to Steve Thomas who skated in at the corner for his second try. Two further Hook penalties interspersed by one by Swansea pivot Luke Richards saw Neath lead 19-3 at halftime.

 If Swansea were to creep back into the game, they needed an early score but the outstanding Paul Jones ripped the ball off Richards to break up a Swansea attack and another act of stupidity – this time a late tackle on Arwel Thomas – led to Hook landing his third penalty. Cheered on by a big presence of away fans, the Blacks then produced a truly superb score as they flashed the ball from side to side and it resulted in their third try by centre Aled Bevan. The score was erroneously credited by the P.A. announcer to James Hook who added the conversion points and soon afterwards his fifth penalty.

 And the Blacks signed off with another magnificent try when No.8 Ben Davies (who played an increasingly prominent role) charged away from his own 22. Replacement Josh Taumalolo took up the running before the ball was switched right with timely passes by Jon Spratt and Paul Jones for Steve Thomas to complete his hat-trick before Hook’s conversion sealed Swansea’s fate at 39-3.

 From a Neath point of view, it was encouraging to see young forwards Craig Mitchell, Gerwyn Price and Tom Smith making an impact alongside John McPhail who was at his tireless best. One supporter said. “It was as much a demolition as Mike Cuddy’s company had done on the old St. Helen’s grandstand in September.” Neath’s joy was complete with news of The Ospreys’ win in Ulster and defeats for Pontypridd (at Cross Keys) and Bridgend (at Llanelli) that leaves the Blacks and Aberavon out in front at the top of the League.

 Neath – G.Morris (S.Taumalolo); S.Thomas, A.Bevan, J.Hook (P.Horgan), N.Clapham; A.Thomas (J.Spratt), M.Roberts; P.Jones, G.Price, C.Mitchell (A.Howell); S.Martin (captain), M.Morgan; T.Smith (A.Llewellyn), B.Davies, J.McPhail (S.Pengelly) Other replacement – A.Littlehales 

Swansea – Nicky Thomas; R.Jones, C.Shelmerdine, M.Brayley (D.Watts), L.Bevan; L.Richards (S.Thomas), R.Wells (D.Pittard); T.Evans (L.May), D.Colclough (M.White), A.Clatworthy; I.Evans (Noel Thomas), A.W.Jones; G.Newman (captain), S.Edwards (J. Jones), B.Lewis

Referee – Mr. Tony Rowlands (Treorchy)