Taffs Well V Neath
Saturday 3rd December 2005, 2.30pm Kick-Off.
MATCH REPORT (Al Black)
TAFFS WELL 3 NEATH 86
Some snapshots of the match - (Click Here)
 Neath made assured Konica-Minolta Cup progress with a 13-try victory on their first ever visit to Taffs Well where they registered 43 points in each half.
After a bright opening by the home side, Neath took the lead through a try by winger Steve Thomas after a midfield break by centre Aled Bevan but Taffs Well hit back with a penalty by full back Mike Watkins that raised some home cheers in a goodly crowd.
With the forwards mauling powerfully, Neath soon exerted a stranglehold on proceedings to set up tries by flanker Andy Llewellyn, winger Richard Johnston (this the result of some particularly slick handling), debut-making scrum-half Gareth James and lock Martin Morgan. Outside-half Arwel Thomas converted all four and slotted a penalty when home flanker Adam French was sin-binned and Neath signed off the first half with a second try by Steve Thomas who evaded half a dozen tacklers on his way to the try-line, Arwel Thomas again converting to make it 43-3 at the interval.
 Neath started the second-half with a bang as Johnston crossed for two tries in rapid succession. Arwel Thomas converted the former and, before retiring, the outside-half added his seventh conversion of the afternoon of Steve Thomas’ hat-trick try. Despite the efforts of captain Rhys Watkins and his men, they ran into the on-song Blacks who were playing the impressive rugby that has recently been too much for a couple of Premier sides.
Johnston then bagged his fourth try, converted by replacement Jonathan Spratt, and not to be out-done Steve Thomas tehn go this fourth after great work by the Mitchell brothers. In the closing stages, replacement full back Gareth Morris touched down before the referee awarded a penalty try just as it seemed that the returning Hywel Jenkins was about to dab down for Neath’s 13th of the afternoon, Aled Bevan converting to round off a good afternoon.
Despite the scoreline, the home side can take heart from a never-say-die display and an efficiently organised day that was graced by the presence of Bleddyn Williams and Jack Matthews of Cardiff, Wales and Lions fame who also played a game each for Neath early in their careers. Neath travelling army of supporters were most impressed by Taffs Well’s facilities and the warmth of the welcome and now eagerly await the next round on January 14th.
 * Footnote - This was a highest score by and a record winning-margin for Neath in the Cup. Never before have both Neath’s wings scored four tries in a match.
Taffs Well – M.Watkins; J.Sultana, K.Dodd, J.Barry, P.Williams; O.Thomas, R.James; G.Gibbs, A.Ali, C.Gane; J.Wallace, N.Morgan; A.French, R.Watkins (captain), A.Bonetto Replacements – A.rees, N.Hill, R.Crompton, D.Burke, J.Wilde, D.Williams, A.Shea
Neath – S.Taumalolo (G.Morris); S.Thomas, A.Bevan, W.Mitchell, R.Johnston; A.Thomas (J.Spratt), G.James; P.Jones (A.W.Davies), A.Littlehales (E.Shervington), C.Mitchell; B.Davies, M.Morgan; A.Llewellyn, J.Davies (H.Jenkins), J.McPhail (S.Pengelly) Other Replacement – P.Horgan
Referee – Mr. Scott Fleming (Cowbridge)
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