Match Report

Neath 10 - Llanelli 25

The Gnoll, Sat 12th Dec 09 KO: 14.30

Neath 10
Llanelli 25

Match report courtesy of Tony Poole - At The Gnoll

DIRECTOR of rugby Patrick Horgan got it spot on in describing this woeful Neath performance as embarrassing.
Though the Blacks came into this West Wales derby with high hopes, it wasn't long before old failings once more surfaced.
In a display on a par with the shocking showing at Glamorgan Wanderers back in October, Neath were like a rudderless ship.
A general lack of urgency, static moves behind the scrum and a lineout that disintegrated after lock Neil Edwards departed with an ankle injury made life a breeze for Llanelli.
The Blacks underachieved on a grand scale against a Llanelli side that were streets ahead in both thought and deed.
The result was all the more surprising, as the Parc y Scarlets side had gone four league matches without a victory since triumphing 18-10 at Carmarthen Quins back in October.
The Blacks seemed to be building a head of steam, having gone top on the back of a rousing victory over Newport the week before.
But defeat against Llanelli not only toppled them from the top, but also raised big doubts over their title credentials.
Llanelli built victory around a standout display from their talisman Craig Hawkins, and equally impressive back-row form shown by No 8 Duane Eager, Nick Cudd and Aaron Shingler.
Neath missed the motivational skills of Gareth Gravell, who is sidelined with a broken hand, although John Bowd and Steve Tandy did showcase rare home desire.
Neath lock Euros Evans - on a 100th club appearance - provided his usual bustle, but it was never going to be enough to keep effervescent Llanelli at bay.
Young Tom James provided the only real impact from the bench with the ex-Llandovery man turning in an effervescent cameo.
Neath head coach Patrick Horgan described the Neath performance embarrassing.
"Our recent good progress counted for nothing against Llanelli, and I felt sorry for loyal fans who endured such an embarrassing display," he said.
"Far too many players simply turned up and expected things to happen, and it went from bad to worse.
"Llanelli were a little unfortunate to lose the reverse game against us a month back, and this time around they didn't have to really work for their tries.''
Neath have been making slow starts all season, and nothing changed when Llanelli recorded a try after just five minutes.
Swift passing led to an overlap that was gleefully accepted by ex-Maesteg and Felinfoel wing Jason Howells.
Before abandoning ship in the 23rd minute, Neath captain Arwel Thomas won a foot chase with Llanelli centre Nick Reynolds to a loose ball that ran dead.
Fly-half Newton and Thomas's replacement Gareth McCarthy then slotted over penalties, as an ordinary half neared the end.
But Llanelli struck a hammer blow in the 32nd minute when lock Damian Welch broke, and full-back Jonny Lewis was up in support to claim the try.
Newton added the extras while just ahead of the half-time whistle a forward pass denied Welch a try.
But having trailed Newport 13-3 at a similar stage the week before, a 15-3 deficit against Llanelli didn't seem too high a mountain for the Blacks to climb.
That said Neath required the next score - and it went the other way in the 43rd minute.
The home defence downed tools, allowing wing Ford to ghost over for a try that Newton improved on.
Even at 22-3 the door was still ajar for Neath, and it was still the case after replacement prop Emyr Lewis burrowed over for a 53rd-minute try.
McCarthy converted, but when Neath did get rare footholds in the Llanelli 22 they failed to make hay.
They conceded a penalty in front of the Llanelli posts on one occasion while soon after McCarthy spilled the ball in the act of touching down.
And it almost came as a relief when Neath were put out of their misery by a second Newton penalty in the 77th minute.
December was a month that promised a lot for Neath, but a crippling injury is threatening to dampen festive cheer.
The loss - a fourth of the campaign - sent Neath down from top to fifth in what is proving a tight battle for the championship.
The hope now in the Neath camp is that a rocking boat can be steadied against Llandovery on Saturday and during the remaining run of home matches involving Aberavon, Pontypool and Bedwas.

Match stats

Neath: Try: E. Lewis; Con: G. McCarthy; Pen: G. McCarthy

Team: G. King; K. James, W. Mitchell (repl A. Jenkins 70 mins), S. Thomas, K. Phillips; A. Thomas (capt - repl G. McCarthy 23), K. Farrell (repl T. James 51); N. Downs, G. Price (repl A. James 59), J. Reeves (repl E. Lewis 51), N. Edwards (repl H. Pugh 31), E. Evans, L. Evans (repl C. Price 54), J. Bowd, S. Tandy

Llanelli: Tries: J. Howells, J. Lewis, D. Ford; Cons: D. Newton (2); Pens: D. Newton (2)

Team: J. Lewis; D. Ford, N. Reynolds, C. Keenan (repl S. Williams 65), J. Howells; D. Newton, G. Davies; R. Jenkins, C. Hawkins (capt), K. Jones (repl T. Davies 23), A. Powell, D. Welch, A. Shingler, D. Eager, N. Cudd

Referee: Gwyn Morris (Cardiff)

Neath star choice: Euros Evans (Neath)