Match Report

Llanelli 26 - Neath 28

Parc Y Scarlets, Sat 31st Oct 09 KO: 14.30

Llanelli 26
Neath 28

By Tony Poole

LOCK Euros Evans scored a first league try for Neath, as they made a spectacular comeback to gain a first win over Llanelli at Parc y Scarlets.
Though Evans had touched down six times for his former club Carmarthen Quins in the Welsh Premiership, this formed a first for the Blacks.
Now in a fifth season with the Gnoll club, his two previous tries came in 2007/08 friendly matches, involving Corus at The Gnoll and the Richard Morris Testimonial Match in Aberavon.
While his touchdowns have become collector's items, the latest addition against Llanelli triggered another notable fight-back.
Not too among a crowd of 725 gave Neath much of chance of a chance when they trailed 26-5 early in the second half.
But having seen a 29-point lead evaporate at Aberavon the previous weekend, the Parc y Scarlets side once more went on to shoot themselves in the foot.
Before the Neath revival got into full swing, this West Wales derby was a one-sided affair.
The Blacks looked as if they were still coming to terms with the 39-27 home defeat at the hands of reigning champions Cardiff six days earlier.
However, the introduction of back row men Lee Evans and Craig Price on 49 minutes certainly pepped up the Neath forwards - and suddenly they got going.
During the opening half they seldom got out of their half, and it wasn't until centre Stephen Thomas touched down in the 20th minute that they got a foothold inside the home 22.
Thomas celebrated a 100th Neath appearance with a 57th try, but the Blacks had already leaked 13 points.
Fly-half Luke Richards signalled his return in slotting over a third-minute penalty, and that was quickly followed by a try from No 8 Ben Morgan.
Another penalty from Richards made it 13-0 ahead of Thomas getting Neath on the scoreboard.
The Blacks were then only seen in a defensive capacity, and during stoppage time they had hooker Ashleigh James binned.
More Llanelli pressure resulted in Richards knocking over two more penalties, making it 19-5 at the changeover.
While still down to 14 men, the Blacks leaked another try, and seemed to be heading for a fourth league defeat of the season.
Slick hands paved the way for centre Nick Reynolds to touchdown in the 43rd minute with fly-half Richards adding the extras.
There was, however, a gut feeling that Neath had a revival in them, and tentative steps unfolded via penalties struck by fly-half Gareth McCarthy in the 45th and 49th minutes.
But with Neath now pressing, one too many Llanelli infringement in the 55th minute led to lock Adam Powell getting a tit-for-tat yellow card.
That formed the cue for Neath to go to town and on the hour their best forward, lock Euros Evans, brought the long wait for a cherished Neath try in the league to an end.
Fly-half McCarthy converted, trimming the deficit to 26-18, and scrum pressure then reaped dividends.
Llanelli's seven-man scrum crumpled under the strain, and captain and No 8 Gareth Gravell claimed a pushover try that went unconverted.
At 26-23 it was anyone's game, and Neath looked set to level when McCarthy was presented with a straight forward 30-metre penalty.
But by hook or by crook his failure to oblige had disastrous consequences for Llanelli - a possible three-pointer was transformed into a match winner.
The ball struck a post; Llanelli knocked on, and suddenly Neath had a prime position in the shadow of the home posts.
Quick scrum ball was spread right on 75 minutes, allowing full-back Gareth King to create the space for wing Kevin James to get another winning try.
A fortnight earlier, James also got the bonus-point winner late on at Swansea, but more drama was just around the corner.
In the 78th minute, Llanelli entrusted a 50-metre penalty to full-back Dale Ford, who saw it strike the woodwork and cannon to safety.
The home side continued to press for a winning score, and were afforded one final chance deep into time added on.
But fly-half Richards saw a touchline penalty drop short, leaving Neath narrow winners.
"We were behind for so long that it almost felt like losing," said Neath director of rugby Patrick Horgan.
"Although I was delighted with the great fight-back that secured the victory, the way points are being leaked is abysmal.
"We also gave Swansea a 21-point start before hitting back to win, and basically these early errors have to be eliminated.
"The victory was an important one, coming on the back of the Cardiff defeat, as it keeps us in touch with the top of the table.''
Neath's next league game is away to Pontypridd on Saturday week.
Of interest to both sets of fans is that since Pontypridd lost 23-10 to old rivals Cardiff during Christmas 2007, they are unbeaten at home.
They have gained 23 wins at Sardis Road and a draw (22-22 with Llandovery last season), and are closing in on Neath's home record in the Welsh Premiership.
The Blacks carded 31 straight league wins at The Gnoll from the 37-27 defeat by Cardiff at the end of the 2003/04 campaign to a 33-29 loss at the hands of Bedwas during the final game of 2005/06.

Match stats

Llanelli: Tries - B Morgan, N. Reynolds; Cons: L. Richards (2); Pens: L. Richards (4)

Team: D. Ford; J. Howells, N. Reynolds, S. Williams (repl S. Martin 68 mins), A. Fenby; L. Richards, J. James; I. Jones, C. Hawkins (capt) (repl R. Lawrence 49), A. Hopkins, R. McCusker, A. Powell (repl D. Eager 67), A. Brake (repl N. White 58), B. Morgan, N. Cudd

Neath: Tries - S. Thomas, E. Evans, G. Gravell, K. James; Con: G. McCarthy; Pens: G. McCarthy (2)

Team: G. King; K. James (repl A. Thomas 78), N. Brew, S. Thomas, A. Jenkins (repl K. Phillips 49); G. McCarthy, K. Farrell; V. Lott, A. James (repl G. Price 66), M. Jones, N. Edwards, E. Evans, M. Collins (temp repl G. Price 42-47, L. Evans 49), G. Gravell (capt), A. Whitney (repl C. Price 49)

Yellow cards: A. James (Neath) 40+3, A. Powell (Llanelli) 55

Referee: Timothy Hayes (Carmarthen)

Star choice: Euros Evans