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Under 21s / Under 17sSUCCESSFUL LAUNCH FOR NEATH UNDER-17’s NEATH 39 points SWANSEA 3 points THE FUTURE IS BLACK !! Neath’s latest step into the future got off to a very promising start when the Under-17’s played their first game against Swansea at The Gnoll in front of around 400 spectators who saw a game of pace and movement which augurs well for Neath – and Welsh – rugby. It was a fitting way for Neath to mark 130 years’ contribution to Welsh rugby because in 1872 the All Blacks’ first game was against Swansea. One can only imagine what Dr. T.P. Whittington, Neath’s first captain, would have made of it one can but he would probably have been greatly impressed by the array of talent on display. With a strong management team of quality All Blacks in Andrew Vaughan, Gareth Llewellyn and Matthew McCarthy to guide them and drawing players from throughout the locality, Neath made an impressive start against opponents who have been together considerably longer. The home forwards were energetic in the loose and the backs were willing to explore the wide, open spaces of The Gnoll. The home crowd soon had something to cheer with a typical All Black try when No. 8 Paul Rummings barged over from a lineout and the Blacks extended their lead when talented full back Aaron Bramwell landed a penalty. Swansea hit back with a penalty by replacement outside-half Rhys Thomas and the Blacks lost Neil Chattington who was taken off on a stretcher with an ankle injury. The home side continued to press though and went further ahead when replacement Scott Jeremy crossed for Bramwell to convert and Neath soon added a third try when prop Sean Price barged over. And Bramwell again converted. The second-half was not quite as enterprising as the first mainly because the referee awarded Swansea penalty after penalty but when Neath were given a chance Bramwell stepped up to kick his second penalty. The Blacks scored again when Aled Brew (brother of Newport’s Nathan) raced away for try number four which Bramwell converted and Neath’s fifth try came from centre Geraint Davies, Bramwell again goaling it for 14 points. Next season, it is intended to play one midweek Under-17’s game per month thereby allowing players to remain with their local youth side and this latest batch of Neath youngsters, many of whom are still Under-16’s, could develop into something special. On the evidence of this display against proven opposition, there is talent aplenty to be developed and the Neath team was :- Aaron Bramwell; Owen Scourfield, Matthew Myatt, Geraint Davies, Aled Brew; Ian Brooks, Gareth Patchett; Craig Mitchell, Daniel George, Sean Price; James Davies, Nick Chattington; Gareth Morgan, Paul Rummings, Chris Jones Replacements :- Gavin Jones, Gareth Bate, Ben Duggan, Dale Norris, Scott Jeremy, Nathan Jenkins THURSDAY'S GAME AGAINST LLANELLI AT
STRADEY PARK HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. WE
APOLOGISE IF THIS CAUSES ANY INCONVENIENCE BUT ARE STRIVING TO RE-ARRANGE THE
FIXTURE AS SOON AS IS POSSIBLE. LLANDYBIE …. 5 points NEATH UNDER-21’s …. 57 points Neath Under-21’s polished off their season with a 9-try win as they helped Llandybie celebrate their centenary. The home side played some enterprising rugby and took the lead when they worked clear right wing Andrew Davies, a Wales Deaf international, who got the game’s opening try. Neath made 11 changes from the side which lifted the Welsh Under-21’s Cup the previous week and they took time to settle but three first-half converted tries carried them into a 21-5 halftime lead. Winger Richard Carter flashed across for two of them on either side of a score by North Walian prop Alex Mark. Another debut-maker outside-half Matthew Jones landed three conversions. Despite regularly ringing the changes, Neath pulled clear in the second half as centre John Leyshon crossed for replacement Dylan Pugh to convert before Carter completed a fine hat-trick. Skipper Adam Matthews, on as a replacement tight-head prop much to the amusement of the onlooking Andrew Millward and Adam Jones, then charged forty metres for a try and centre Mike Jones then went over. Young international forwards Cai Griffiths (prop) and Ben Davies (lock) made pleasing debuts and Llandovery product Rhodri Thomas was next to score and converted himself before replacement scrum-half Ricky Richards got Neath’s ninth try, Pugh converting. The Neath XV was :- Aled Davies; Rhodri Thomas, Mike Jones, John Leyshon, Richard Carter; Matthew Jones, Gareth James; Cai Griffiths, Mark Jones (captain), Alex Mark; Craig Jones, Lee Bassett; Darren David, Rowland Phillips, Steve Tandy Replacements :- Dylan Pugh, Ricky Richards, Paul James, Adam Matthews, Dewi Williams, Ben Davies, Steve Phillips
CARDIFF Under-21’s ….. 15 points NEATH Under-21’s ….. 18 points Neath Under-21’s set the pace for the seniors when they won the season’s first trophy by beating Cardiff in the final of the Welsh Under-21’s Cup at Bridgend. It was "here we go again" for older Neath fans as memories were resurrected of the seniors’ classic 1971/72 semi-final between Cardiff and Neath when Martyn Davies’ centenary-celebrating All Blacks famously tamed the immortal Cardiff halves Barry John and Gareth Edwards before going on to beat Llanelli in the first senior Cup Final. This time, for scrum-half Martyn Davies read hooker Adam Matthews, but the mode of victory was much the same – grinding forward power allied to stern defensive resolution. Oh – and there was a nimble, jinking outside-half too, not Dai Parker but Dylan Pugh who might not yet have the length of kick but can certainly beat a man. Add to that the presence of a hefty band of Neath followers – probably 90 per cent of the 2000 crowd were Blacks – and history repeated itself. Bridgend seemed ill-prepared for such an invasion and many missed the kick-off but all through the game, the Brewery Field stand reverberated to the chant of "Neath, Neath, Neath" and the Black hordes saw their side deservedly avenge two League defeats by the Blue and Blacks. The game was every inch as close as the final scoreline suggests and there was little to choose between the two sides. Cardiff had the pacier back division but they got little look in against Neath’s commendable defensive resolution. Cardiff edged the lineouts but Neath had more power at the scrums and the teams were evenly matched in the loose. Outside-half Dylan Pugh put Neath ahead with a penalty after two minutes when over-exuberant Cardiff were penalised for a high tackle but the Blue and Blacks soon levelled when opposite number Nick Macleod landed a kick awarded for offside. Neath started stronger and when powerful No.8 Steve Phillips picked up from a scrum in the Cardiff 22, Neath took the ball back to the narrow side and flanker Simon Peters skated over for the opening try. Referee Paul Adams (Ebbw Vale) did not enjoy one of his most consistent evenings and Cardiff hit back after a spell of attacking when full back Chris Anderson sliced through for a try which Macleod converted. Neath’s reply was instantaneous and effective as Pugh sliced through in midfield and sent centre Mike Jones careering to the line through two tacklers for Neath’s second try which Pugh converted. Neath’s 15-10 halftime lead was well-deserved but Cardiff came out stronger in the second-half and got back on terms with a try by winger Elgan Jones. Cardiff were looking good but Neath drove upfield a second penalty by Pugh made it 18-15 as the game entered its final quarter. In a tense last twenty minutes, both sides vied for the score which might have settled the game but over-eagerness and sound defence held the score in check. The young Blacks threatened the Cardiff line on several occasions but the Blue and Blacks’ lineout held them at bay. As the game went into injury-time, Neath attacked again but Cardiff ran the ball back and it took a last-ditch tackle by Steve Phillips to frustrate Cardiff. Eventually, referee Adams called time to bring to an end a most exciting tussle well worthy of a final. Neath held onto their lead and another piece of Neath history was made when Adam Matthews stepped up to collect the trophy to more calls of "Neath, Neath, Neath." First post-war champions, first senior Welsh Cup winners, first Welsh League winners and now first Welsh Under-21’s Cup holders. These young Blacks had a lot of history to live up to and they did it. Coaches Rowland Phillips, Kevin George and Keith Hollifield as well as team secretary Julie Wicks are to be congratulated on what their young charges have achieved. Traditional All Black values once again held sway and it was pleasing to see Gareth Llewellyn and virtually the whole of the senior squad as well as the next batch of Under-17’s there to support the Under-21’s. Neath RFC would like to thank all the fans who made the effort to travel to Bridgend and support the side – let’s keep it going now as the seniors home in on the Welsh/Scottish League !! NEATH CARDIFF Peter Thomas 15 Chris Anderson Richard Carter 14 Elgan Jones Mike Jones 13 Owain Ashman Peter Smiriglia 12 Dean Ryan Andrew Jones 11 Geraint Williams Dylan Pugh 10 Nick Macleod Ryan Williams 9 Chris Miller (captain) Paul James 1 John Yapp Adam Matthews (captain) 2 Khalid Jama Adam Jones 3 David Evans Gavin Evans 4 Luke Tait Lee Bassett 5 Chris Stamatakis Daniel Evans 6 Jamie Malpas Steve Phillips 8 Marcus Leach Simon Peters 7 Michael Leaman Replacements Aled Davies Tom Roberts John Leyshon David Tame Gareth James Rob Saunders Mark Jones Darren Fenton Marc Jones Alun Davidson Craig Jones Rob Meredith Darren David. John Stringer Referee: - Paul Adams Touch Judges: - Simon Wycherley and Phil Harry Reserve - Shaun Moore Result (Final WRU U21s
Cup): The Neath Under-21's team to play
Cardiff at The Brewery Field, Bridgend, in the Final of the Under-21's Cup,
on Wednesday 24th April 2002, kick off at 7.15pm is as follows : - Under
21's Cup Final PONTYPRIDD Under-21’s …. 20 points NEATH Under-21’s …. 25 points (NO BY-LINE) Neath are through to the first-ever final of the Welsh Under-21’s Cup after their terrific scrummaging power ripped Ponty to shreds at Sardis Road to earn the young All Blacks a showdown against Cardiff or Llanelli. The All Blacks’ forwards were simply magnificent and dominated all phases of play to lock out the home side. Ponty took a shock lead when a midfield pass went astray and promising No.8 Gareth Williams went over for the game’s opening try. However, the Blacks were soon back level-pegging when they destroyed the Ponty scrum and scrum-half Gareth James got their first try. Ponty went ahead again through a penalty by outside-half Mike Thomas after a lineout offence but Neath pulled alongside via a penalty by opposite number Dylan Pugh after Ponty had been caught offside in midfield. When Ponty were allowed to play on from a wheeled scrum, they worked their second try by Thomas which he converted to give the home side a 15-8 halftime lead which on no way reflected Neath’s forward superiority. At halftime there was a 20-minute delay when the Ponty floodlights suddenly went out. Lack of deisel was the excuse – poor organisation by a club purporting to be in the "Gang of Six"! - But the hold-up seemed to inspire Neath who really turned the screw in the second half. The Black pack took control and, following a dust-up when Ponty’s patience finally ran out after being smashed backward at another scrum, Thomas was sin-binned and Neath quickly registered 14 points to take command. First, prop Paul James powered over from a lineout drive and Pugh converted to level it once more and then No.8 Steve Phillips bagged a pushover try which Pugh converted as the Neath eight again rolled Ponty back. Neath continued to press and really should have added to their lead but two forward passes and a couple of knock-ons thwarted them. Their laxity could have proved expensive because Ponty never gave up and when Neath spread the ball they spilled possession and wing Jimmy Watkins finished off a try before a late penalty by Pugh made it safe for the Blacks. Neath skipper Adam Matthews and his team were full value for this win and clinching a place in the final is no more than they deserve for a season’s hard work. Neath Under-21’s are grateful to the many Neath supporters who travelled and made their presence felt – not least during the floodlight failure! – And the final will be played at a neutral venue probably on April 24th. The successful Neath XV was: - Aled Davies; Peter Thomas, Mike Jones, Peter Smiriglia, Richard Carter; Dylan Pugh, Gareth James; Paul James, Adam Matthews (captain), Adam Jones; Gavin Evans, Lee Bassett; Daniel Evans, Steve Phillips, Simon Peters Replacements: - Andrew Jones, Matthew Jones, Ryan Williams; Mark Jones, Marc Jones, Craig Jones, Darren David U21s Result Result: Newport U21s 23 Neath U21s
30 U21s Fixture News Under 21s Match ReportsNEWPORT Under-21’s 23 points NEATH Under-21’s 30 points Another excellent double was recorded by Neath Under-21’s when they visited Rodney Parade and overcame the Newport youngsters who are coached by ex-Neath coach Darryl Jones. Playing their third game inside a week, the young All Blacks made it a hat-trick of wins with their forwards once again leading the way. Neath’s superiority was reflected in the try-difference of 5 to 2. Speedy winger Richard Carter who still has two years left at this age-level crossed twice and there were others came from Dylan Pugh, flanker Steve Tandy (last year’s captain) and a penalty try. Pugh (who kicked a conversion and a penalty) distributed well from outside-half and continually brought centres Peter Smiriglia and fit-again Mike Jones into play and flanker Ewan Hopkins (son of former Neath & Swansea prop Hywel) and wing Rhodri Thomas showed up well on their League debuts. Newport replied with 13 points from the boot of Neath College outside-half Michael Hook and with tries by full back Jason Rowles and centre Scott Williams. Neath remain two points behind Cardiff at the top of the Welsh Premier Under-21’s League. Cardiff’s breakaway match-winning try at The Gnoll last October might well have been the critical moment in the championship-race but the young Blacks are making them fight all the way. If Cardiff take the League, Neath will be hell-bent on winning the Cup which commences with a quarter-final tie against Swansea at The Gnoll on Wednesday, March 27th (kick off 7.00 pm).
NEATH U-21’s … 19 points COMBINED SERVICES …. 10 points Neath Under-21’s brightened up a miserable wet Sunday afternoon with a keenly-fought win over the Combined Services Under-21’s who were paying their first visit to The Gnoll. The conditions did not make for running rugby but both sides showed a willingness to spread the ball wide and consequently there were many handling mistakes. Neath had a marked advantage in the set-pieces and made it count from two short range lineouts as hooker Lloyd Hayden grabbed two tries both of which full back Shaun Connor converted. The Services, fielding several South Sea Islanders, looked a useful outfit with ball in hand and they hit back in the second-half with a penalty by outside-half Robert Sweeney. Again the front row of Paul James, Hayden and Adam Jones gave Neath a sound platform and were well backed up by locks Lee Bassett and Craig Jones. Flankers Daniel Evans and Simon Peters worked overtime alongside new No. 8 Ian McQueen. Good work by Hayden and and Peters saw Neath respond with an excellent try by lock Craig Jones which made the game safe before Services bagged a try by lock Darrell Ball converted by Sweeney. The Neath team was :- Shaun Connor; Ashley Carter, Dean Dewdney, Mike Price, Richard Carter; Dylan Pugh, Gareth James; Paul James, Lloyd Hayden, Adam Jones; Craig Jones, Lee Bassett; Daniel Evans, Ian McQueen, Simon Peters Replacements : Rhodri Thomas, Peter Thomas, Ryan Williams, Mark Jones, Gavin Evans, Tom Davies, Steve Phillips Referee : Mr. Matthew Aplin (Bryncoch) NEATH UNDER-21’s … 51 points CAERPHILLY UNDER-21’s …. 17 points Neath kept alive their Welsh Premier Under-21’s title hopes with an ultimately convincing victory over a plucky Caerphilly side. In the first-half, Caerphilly belied their bottom placing in the League as they contested every ball and kept the Neath side, showing several changes from their normal line-up, on their toes throughout. So effective were the visitors in their harrying and ability to pounce on Neath errors that they led 17-14 at halftime thanks to tries by non-stop flanker Geraint Fox and centre Ian Carter who converted both and kicked a penalty. Out of sorts Neath managed a penalty try, courtesy of their all-powerful scrummage, and a neatly-taken effort by winger Richard Carter. Full back Dylan Pugh converted both, the latter a superb effort from the left touchline But Neath had wind-advantage in the second-half and, upping their effort, they scored 37 points without reply. Centre Peter Smiriglia restored Neath’s lead with their third try before Pugh kicked a penalty to make it 24-17. The tries flowed thick and fast as scrum-half Gareth James went over for a quickfire hat-trick. Pugh converted the third and then crossed himself for a superb solo try which was the highlight of the evening. The lineout work of Gavin Evans earned him the Patrons’ Man-of-the-Match award and, as full-time approached, Neath passed the half-century thanks to the Narberth duo of wing Andrew Jones who got their eighth try converted by outside-half Aled Davies. The Neath team was :- Dylan Pugh; Peter Thomas, Peter Smiriglia, Mike Price, Richard Carter; Aled Davies, Gareth James; Marc Jones, Adam Matthews (captain), Adam Jones; Craig Jones, Gavin Evans; Daniel Evans, Tom Davies, Simon Peters Replacements : Andrew Jones, Ryan Williams, Paul James, Lloyd Hayden, Lee Bassett, Darren David, Steve Phillips Referee : Mr. Peter Soroka (Ystradgynlais) Result - U21s Under 21s News WRU UNDER-21’s PREMIER LEAGUE (as at 7thFebruary, 2002) 
Result (6th February) U21s News - AMENDMENT
Wales / Neath U21s Front Row Congratulations to the Welsh U21 front
row (pictured above), U21s Honours Welsh Students V French
Students U17s NEATH Under-21’s 22 points EBBW VALE Under-21’s 15 points Neath Under-21’s were given one of their toughest games of the season by Ebbw Vale but the young All Blacks held on to reinforce their position in second spot in the Welsh Under-21’s Premier League. After the champagne performance against Swansea a week earlier, this was more like bread and butter stuff from Neath who took the lead when prop Adam Jones powered over following a lineout drive and full back Aled Davies landed the conversion. But Ebbw Vale enjoyed much the better of the first-half and fly-half Richard Jenkins(Tredegar) opened their account with a straightforward penalty and centre Matthew Griffiths charged down a kick to get the visitors’ first try which Jenkins converted. That made it 10-7 to Vale who kept the lead until halftime – an advantage Neath could not argue about as they had seen precious little of the ball as lock Damien Hudd dominated the Vale throw-in. Soon after the interval Aled Davies levelled the scores with a penalty and then came the game’s hottest moment when lock Lee Bassett charged away on a 40-yard run from near his own line. A high and dangerous tackle halted his progress and the melee which followed resulted in a double sending-off. This seemed to fire the Neath forwards who took a stronger grip on the game with scrum-half Gareth James driving them on with a neat selection of box-kicks and strong runs. Forward power brought Neath a penalty trywhich Aled Davies converted but, although they were on the receiving end of sustained Neath pressure, Vale were not done and when play switched to the Shed End inventive centre Griffiths gathered his own kick ahead to score. Jenkins missed the conversion which would have drawn the sides level and there was just time for Neath to re-establish an attacking platform from which centre Craig Smith bundled his way over for the clinching try. This was far from the best Neath Under-21’s have produced this season but both sides served up good entertainment in atrocious weather conditions. Neath have now narrowed the gap at the top of the table (see below) but are level with leaders Cardiff on tries and have scored more points than them. The Under-21’s take a rest next week but will play Bridgend away on Wednesday, February 6th. The Club would like to see as much support there as possible – kick-off will be at 7.15 pm. The Neath team was :- Peter Thomas; Dean Dewdney, Craig Smith, Mike Price, Richard Carter; Aled Davies, Gareth James; Paul James, Adam Matthews, Adam Jones; Craig Jones, Lee Bassett; Daniel Evans, Steve Phillips, Simon Peters Replacements :- Lyndon Johnson, Andrew Jones, Ryan Williams, Mark Jones, Richard Thomas, Gavin Evans, Darren David INTERNATIONAL SELECTION FOR GNOLL YOUNGSTERS The Neath front row of Paul James, skipper Adam Matthews and Adam Jones are included in the Wales Under-21 squad to play Ireland on February 1st. Also called up are centre Mike Jones and outside-half Dylan Pugh. Next Thursday (January 31st), the Welsh Youth play the Welsh Schools at The Gnoll (kick off 7.00 pm) and two Neath boys centre Wayne Mitchell and lock James Davies will be in action. At FIRA level, Neath outside-half Matthew Jones (who is not yet 18) and Resolfen-reared scrum-half Richard Morgan are included in the Welsh XV to play England at Twickenham.. NEATH Under-21’s 52 points SWANSEA Under-21’s 28 points Neath blasted their way to second spot in the Welsh Under-21’s Premier League with a sparkling victory over Swansea in a 12-try spectacular at The Gnoll. This thrilling encounter demonstrated all that is best about the new League and the attendance of 1,212 – a record for the Under-21’s League – highlighted the folly of those clubs who prefer to play their games at weekends. The game started badly for Neath when Swansea full back Steve Griffiths ran through some poor tackling to score at the posts, Ystalyfera outside-half Gareth James converting, but good work by centre John Leyshon and prop Adam Jones sent lock Gavin Evans careering over at the other end. Swansea had a "try" disallowed for foul play and, benefitting from some awful kicking, the Whites went further ahead when centre Jonathan Vaughan crossed and James converted. Swansea were good value for their 14-5 lead as they had largely dominated the opening exchanges but Neath, inspired by Lee Basset’s lineout work and Steve Phillips’ presence in the loose, hit back in style with three tries before the interval. Skipper Adam Matthews took a strike against the head and centre Dean Dewdney’s speculative kick was latched onto by speedy wing Richard Carter who outpaced the defence for new outside-half Aled Davies (Narberth) to convert. A quick tap penalty led to a try by flanker Daniel Evans, Davies converting, and then centre Leyshonshowed his class in carving out Neath’s third which Davies again converted. The 26-14 halftime scoreline flattered Neath somewhat and Swansea soon set about righting the situation. Lock Andrew Kreischerpulled back a try, then the Whites were controversially awarded a penalty try by young referee James Jones (Loughor) who otherwise had an excellent game. James converted both to put the visitors 28-26 ahead and it was game on. Carter flew in for his second try, then full back Peter Thomas raced across, Daviesconverting to make it 38-28. With flanker Simon Peters putting in some great work, Neath now held all the aces but Davies (whose kicking out of hand got better and better) missed two kickable penalties. Neath’s pressure was bound to tell though and replacement scrum-half Gareth James (Crynant) broke away from a scrum to score under the posts, Davies converting, and the wonderful Neath packed supplied the coup de grace by marching the Swansea eight over their own line for a pushover try to raise the half-century, Aled Davies landing his sixth conversion. Team Secretary Julie Wicks said, "That was quite a game and great value for the fans. I’d like to thank all our supporters for turning out in numbers again. The boys very much appreciate the level of support we get here at Neath and we had more watching tonight than some clubs have had for senior games. Let’s break that record crowd figure next week against Ebbw Vale !" Neath XV :- Peter Thomas; Andrew Jones, Dean Dewdney, Jon Leyshon (Craig Smith), Richard Carter (Mike Price); Aled Davies, Ryan Williams (Gareth James); Paul James, Adam Matthews (captain), Adam Jones; Gavin Evans, Lee Bassett (Craig Jones); Daniel Evans (Tom Davies), Steve Phillips, Simon Peters. Replacements not fielded – Marc Jones, Mark Jones Other Results Ebbw Vale 23-13 Bridgend Pontypridd 18-25 Cardiff
Result
YOUNG BLACKS TOO STRONG FOR PONTY NEATH UNDER-21’s ….. 27 points PONTYPRIDD UNDER-21’s…. 11 points (Attendance 650) Neath Under-21’s narrowed the gap behind Cardiff at the top of the Welsh Premier League with a comfortable win over Pontypridd at The Gnoll on Wednesday evening.
After referee Simon Wycherley (Cwmcarn) had disallowed a Neath try at the Town end, play switched to the Llantwit end and Pontypridd took the lead through a try by centre Matthew Nuttall. Gradually, the Blacks forwards asserted their strength and, after outside-half Peter Smiriglia had nudged them ahead with two penalties, classy centre John Leyshon crossed for Neath’s first try. Two further Smiriglia penalties pushed Neath further ahead but Treorchy outside-half David Owen kicked a penalty for Ponty to make it 17-8 at halftime. Ponty started the second-half strongly and Owen dropped a goal from 35 metres but Neath turned the screw with second-half tries by prop Paul James and replacement scrum-half Gareth James. Tight-head prop Adam Jones was named "Man of the Match" on behalf of another immense display by the Neath front row and lock Lee Bassett also showed up well. The Neath XV was :- Dylan Pugh; Lyndon Johnson, Mike Jones, John Leyshon, Richard Carter; Peter Smiriglia, Ryan Williams; Paul James, Adam Matthews (captain), Adam Jones; Gavin Jones, Lee Bassett; Daniel Evans, Steve Phillips, Simon Peters Replacements :- Peter Thomas, Gareth James, Alex Sheey, Mark Jones, Darren David, Tom Davies
*** Next Wednesday (January 16th, kick off 7.15 pm) Neath entertain close rivals Swansea and a win could take the young All Blacks top. Neath supporters are urged to lend their encouragement to the youngsters in their quest for the top. Last year’s fixture attracted a crowd of over 1,000 and Neath Under-21’s deserve this level of support Result Port Talbot Select XV V Neath RFC
Under 21's U21s Match Cancelled UNDER 21s NEWS Caerphilly U21s 9 Neath U21s 33 By Alan Williams The young All Blacks scored five tries in
this excellent display, which keeps the pressure on League Leaders Cardiff.
Full back Peter Thomas started the wrought with an early try. Caerphilly
outside half Darren Reid was on target with 3 successive penalties for the home
side. Neath’s other tries were scored by Scrum half Ryan Williams, Prop
Forward Alix Sheey and back rowers Darren David and Stuart Barrow, Outside half
Jonathan Owen converted a try and kicked a penalty, whilst his replacement
Richard Davies. Neath U21s 19 22 Cardiff U21s By Alan Williams The game was 15 minutes old when the very strong Cardiff outfit broke the deadlock with a try by full back Robert Andrews. The home side responded with a try of their own when scrum half Ricky Richards raced home untouched from a short range penalty, outside half Jonathan Owens added the conversion. The young pretender to Lee Jarvis’s crown extended the home sides lead with two penalties following the visitor’s midfield defence being caught offside. Back row forward Dan McShane scored a try for the visitors late in the first half. The second half was a hard fought affair with both sides playing very well. Owens further extended his team’s lead with his third successful penalty. Scrum half Chris Miller reduced the arrears when crossing for arty wide out. The visitors stole victory with what turned out to be the last move of the game when Wales senior squad Tourist Robin Sowden Taylor won a line out near his own line, the visitors spread the ball and wing Gareth Williams crossed wide out, the try was converted by outside half Neil MacLeod. Result (17th October) Result (3rd October) Result (26th September) Neath u21s 37 Dunvant U21s 20 MATCH
REPORT The young All Blacks opened the early scoring with two penalties from fly half Richard Davies. They extended their lead when centre Craig Smith crossed for a try; Richard Davies added the extra points for the conversion. The visitors hit back with a try by scrum half Simon Bevan, who showed his alertness to race in for a score. Neath responded with a score by wing Richard Carter, but the visitors scored very soon afterwards with wing Simon Jenkins crossing wide out. Neath centre John Leyshon was next on the score sheet with an excellent solo effort, which was converted by Richards. Play continued to see saw from end to end, Dunvant scored a try through replacement Jenson Evans. Neath replacement centre Ceri Lewis crossed from close range, Jonathan Owens converted the try. Dunvant replacement Nicky McLaughlan scored the games final try late on. Patron’s Association Man of the Match - Tom Davies 
Photo Tom Davies being presented with his Man of the Match Award by Patron Hywel Williams Pontypridd U21s 17 10 Neath U21s MATCH
REPORT The young All Blacks outscored their hosts by two tries to one, in this midweek match at Sardis Road. Ponty outside half David Owen was on target with an early penalty to give the home side the lead. Owen extended Pontypridd’s lead with two further penalties, against the run of play. The young All Blacks were dominating play but unable to convert pressure into points. Skipper Adam Matthews led from the front and scored his third try of the season to give the young Blacks a lifeline. Home wing Gareth Fear raced away to score his sides’ only try with just ten minutes remaining, Owen added the extra points for the conversion. Neath scrum half Ryan Williams gave his side hope with a late try, but Ponty hung on to take the victory. Coach Rowland Phillips was disappointed with the defeat and said " We dominated large parts of the game but just could not score. The lads worked hard but just could not score, on another occasion we would have scored three or four tries." NEATH U21s 44 NEWPORT U21s 28 MATCH
REPORT The young All Blacks were soon on the attack in this match, which was played as a curtain raiser to the W/S, Celtic League game. Neath opened the scoring after just five minutes when Prop forward Paul James charged over from close range. Wing Richard Carter crossed wide out shortly after to extend the lead. Newport fly half Rhys Gosling was on target with short range penalty. Neath scrum half Ricky Richards was next on the score sheet, closely followed by No 8 Steve Phillips and Man of the Match Jonathan Owens, who emulated first team fly half Lee Jarvis by going through the card with a try, two conversions, a drop goal and four penalties. Newport scored tries by Luscombe, Williams and Jones to narrow the scoreline. Delighted Neath Coach Kevin George Said " This was an excellent performance by our young players. Many of who played last week against Llanelli, This was a big Newport and powerful pack yet our scrum and tight play was out of the top draw. Whilst our backs created plenty of opportunities behind." Patron’s Association Man of the Match: Jonathan Owens Fixture News Neath U21s 21 - 38 Llanelli U21s Match Report by Alan Williams The young All Blacks scored the games first try after just eight minutes, number eight Stephen Phillips went narrow side from the base of a scrum, fed wing Lyndon Johnson who crossed wide out, outside half Richard Davies added the extra points with a successful conversion. The lead however was short lived, Llanelli scrum half Michael Phillips sprinted 50 metres to score a brilliant individual try. Llanelli took the lead just two minutes later when scrum half Michael Phillips crossed from close in. Neath outside half Richard Davies pulled the scores level with a long-range penalty kick. Llanelli replacement fly half Daniel Jones scored a try under the posts, which he also converted. Richard Davies was on target with a penalty for Neath, Daniel Jones extended his team's lead with a brace of penalty goals. Llanelli second row forward Chris Rowe crossed for two tries in the final minutes of the game, Daniel Jones was successful with one of the conversions. Neath Fullback Richard Carter scored his third try in two matches, with the final move of the game. Neath Coach Rowland Phillips was "very disappointed with the performance, many of these young players were making their home debuts and it appeared that the occasion got to some of them." His coaching partner Kevin George said "Already the league appears to be wide open, with everybody losing. The boys now have to pick themselves up for a big game against Newport next Saturday." Patron's Association Man of the Match Richard Davies Result - 1st September
2001
Match Report by Alan Williams Captain Adam Matthews made a break and fed back row forward Daniel Evans who crashed over the try line close to the posts, Richard Davies was again on target with the conversion. Neath's third try came late in the half when a good clean catch at a lineout allowed the forwards to form a rolling maul from which prop Adam Jones barged his way over the Swansea goal line. The All Whites pulled a try back late in the half, good work in midfield set wing Chris Shelmadine free to race away for the score. The All Whites revival continued early in the second half with a try by centre Jonathan Vaughton; outside half Gareth James added the extra points for the conversion. Fullback Richard Carter extended the All Blacks lead after he charged down a Swansea clearance to race away to score in the corner. Replacement outside half Jonathan Owen punished Swansea with a penalty kick after the home defence was caught offside in front of their own posts. Carter scored his second try following a superb move involving both flankers which started way back in the Neath twenty-two. Swansea scored a consolation try when replacement Darren Pittard crossed from a short-range tap penalty. This result got the young All Blacks off to a winning start and Coach Rowland Phillips was delighted and said, " the boys have all worked hard pre season and much of that work showed in today's performance. I was very pleased with the way we dominated up front and looked to move things behind."
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