CARDIFF MET 20 NEATH 16

Neath sunk to their third successive defeat but, unlike the previous week, can have few complaints as Cardiff Met were much the better side and overall the Blacks did well to emerge with a bonus point.

Injuries forced the coaches’ hand somewhat in selection with skipper Aaron Bramwell taking up the centre position after rising from his ‘flu bed which prevented him from training this week.

The rains abated and the Blacks were quicker into their stride and took the lead after Rhys Morgan’s line-out take saw the ball transferred across the three-quarter line and winger Luke Griffiths sped to the corner before converting superbly from the right touchline.

It did not take Cardiff Met long to level though and a careless Neath pass in midfield was picked off and speedy wing Jack Silvester flew to the posts and outside-half James Mattin goaled.

Neath responded with hooker Sion Crocker and No.8 Tomi Antozzi leading the forward effort and in-form wing James Roberts just failed to get the touchdown after a good run and chip and chase.

But it was the students who led at half-time after scrum-half Ellis Bevan took a quick tap and hooker Morgan Nelson dabbed down under the posts for Mattin to convert before Luke Griffiths landed a well-struck goal to make it 10-14.

Griffiths pulled back another penalty for a scrum offence shortly after the resumption but Mattin made it 17-13 when Neath replacement flanker Chris Davies was yellow-carded after what looked like an accidental clash of heads,

Cardiff Met were on top and Exeter centre Barrie Karea took careful watching but they made little headway against a determined Neath defence. On a rare foray into home territory, Griffiths landed his third penalty to make it 16-17 but maybe the Blacks missed an opportunity to get in front by not kicking to the corner for a line-out – a tactic which has served them well this season.

That was Neath’s last opportunity really as Cardiff Met dominated the remainder game, Mattin restoring their advantage. Right on time, Neath had one last chance when scrum-half Macauley Griffiths robbed his opposite number and nearly got away in the 22 but it would have been rough justice on Cardiff Met who fully deserved their victory.

Neath must now pick themselves up for the visit of Maesteg Quins to The Gnoll next Saturday with a few of the injured hopefully back to boost the ranks.

CARDIFF MET – G.Gladding (I.Sheppard); J.Silvester, W.Morris, B.Karea, Z.Clow; J.Mattin, E.Bevan; H.Dobbs (H.Sutherland), M.Nelson (D.Bartlett), M.L.Scott; I.Shenton, R.Horrington; C.Geary, D.Thurston (D.Pritchard), C.Rylands

NEATH – Jordan Rees; L.Griffiths, S.Summers (D.Guarneri), A.Bramwell (capt), J.Roberts; C.Hall, M.Griffiths; S.Jones, S.Crocker (Iestyn Jones), L.Tobias (I.James); J.Blackmore, R.Morgan; J.Coxley, T.Antozzi (C.Davies), J.Hill

Referee – Mr. S.Alsop (Chepstow)

MATCH PREVIEW

After defeats by Pontypool and Bedwas, Neath travel to Cyncoed to play Cardiff Metropolitan seeking to get their season back on track (kick off – 2.30pm).

Head coach Patrick Horgan said, “We were cruelly denied victory on the final whistle last week and now face a different challenge from the students who are also unbeaten. Last week’s disappointment should serve as a lesson to us all – we need to be far enough ahead to prevent happenings like that.”

Neath delay announcement of the team until Friday afternoon by which time a couple of permits should be confirmed but outside-half Dan Guarneri, props Ifan James and Steffan Jones and new lock Jarryd Davies will be added to the squad that did duty last week.

Neath v Cardiff Metropolitan (Away) 2.30pm
From Jordan Rees, Luke Griffiths, James Roberts, Sion Summers, Aaron Bramwell (captain), A.N.Other, Dan Guarneri, Callum Hall, Macauley Griffiths; Steffan Jones, Ifan James, Liam Tobias, Iestyn Jones, Sion Crocker, Jarryd Davies, Rhys Morgan, Jacob Blackmore, Jordan Coxley, John Hill, Tomi Antozzi, A.N.Other
Touch Judge – Mr. Adrian Shaw

NEATH 14 BEDWAS 16
A perfectly-struck touchline conversion of wing Jordan Rees’ corner try by Bedwas full back James Hallett robbed Neath of the win that should have been theirs at The Gnoll.

A light drizzle greeted the teams, Bedwas defending a 100% record and the Blacks seeking to get back on track after their heavy defeat at Pontypool. But the home side seemed to be suffering a hangover from that match in a lethargic first half which lasted over an hour due to two head injuries suffered by Neath players in separate accidents.

After lengthy on-field treatment, both lock Leon Ward and centre Matthew Pearce were withdrawn from the contest while Bedwas lost flanker Owen Jones in a prolonged first half. The only scoring action saw visiting outside-half Dion McIntosh strike three fine penalties, the middle one rebounding in off the upright, whereas Neath’s kicking was not up to the mark.

In worsening rain, handling was difficult and, after Neath lost No.8 Tomi Antozzi to the sin-bin for a harshly judged fend off and the refereeing deeming a high tackle by a Bedwas player to merit only a long talking to, supporters were glad to hear the belated half-time whistle.

Fortunately, the second-half produced better fayre with Neath making most of the running. Two long range penalty attempts by Luke Griffiths failed – the second bouncing out off the woodwork and Bedwas lost replacement Matthew Bovington to the sin bin for foul play. But Neath were gradually finding their feet with young flankers Jon Hill and Jordan Coxley looking lively in a pack which was splendidly led by hooker Sion Crocker.

Winger James Roberts, playing his first competitive game of the season, played a major role as Neath hit Bedwas with two quick converted tries. Centre Ben Atkins put him away and Jon Hill was up in support for the first and replacement Luke Griffiths, an exciting runner from full back, scored the next, adding the conversion points to both to take himself passed the half-century mark for the season.

Neath continued to set the pace and their forwards marched the Bedwas eight back towards their line, the referee ignoring three or four away forwards going to ground in an attempt to halt the flow – strange in view of what followed … Bedwas raised the siege, Neath were penalised at a scrum where they had the better of things most of the day, the inevitable kick to the corner followed and Neath were then penalised for collapsing a maul !

Neath defended resolutely as the clock ticked down but Bedwas retained possession and, eventually opting to move the ball, their only passing movement of consequence saw winger Jordan Rees squeeze in via the corner flag for a try which levelled the scores.

Then came Hallett’s last kick touchline conversion and the referee blew for full time leaving Bedwas delighted and Neath dismayed because they had enjoyed the better of the play. For all their dejection however, while it all came down to that last piece of action, Neath must not skate over their poor performance in the first half when they generally failed to impose themselves on the game sufficiently.

Better is needed and the Blacks need to recapture their zest and vigour from the start next week when they visit Cardiff Metropolitan at Cyncoed.

NEATH – A.Bramwell (capt); J.Roberts, B.Atkins, M.Pearce (L.Griffiths), S.Summers; C.Hall, M.Griffiths; B.Uphill (G.W.Lloyd), S.Crocker, L.Tobias; L.Ward (J.Hill), R.Morgan; J.Blackmore, T.Antozzi, J.Coxley

BEDWAS – J.Hallett; J.Jones, M.Williams, L.Bowden, J.Rees; D.McIntosh (B.Williams), R.Harries (O.Keane); J.Tucker (D.Scott), M.Dacey, R.Hutcherson; C.Hudd, G. Allen; J.Armitage (capt), D.Rogers (R.Morgans), O.Jones (M.Bovington)

Referee – Mr. R.Deacy (Cardiff),

MATCH PREVIEW

Having lost their unbeaten record at Pontypool last week, Neath will be determined to make amends when they host Bedwas at The Gnoll on Saturday (kick off – 2.30pm).

Head coach Patrick Horgan said, “Across the board, too many players under-performed when really we needed everybody at their best – and we paid the penalty.

“Fortunately, we have the stage to put things right against Bedwas who are second to Pontypool and we must show we are better than last week.”

Squad changes in the Neath starting line-up see wing James Roberts come in for his first League start of the season while Matthew Pearce, Sion Summers and Callum Hall return too. Up front Ben Uphill adds scrum-power to the pack while Jake Blackmore, Leon Ward and Jordan Coxley reappear.

Neath v Bedwas (Home) 2.30pm
15 Aaron Bramwell (captain); 14 James Roberts, 13 Ben Atkins, 12 Matthew Pearce, 11 Sion Summers; 10 Callum Hall, 9 Macauley Griffiths; 1 Ben Uphill, 2 Sion Crocker, 3 Liam Tobias; 4 Jacob Blackmore, 5 Rhys Morgan; 6 Leon Ward, 8 Tomi Antozzi, 7 Jordan Coxley
Replacements – 16 Gareth Lloyd, 17 Iestyn Jones, 18 Jon Hill, 19 Jordan Rees, 20 Luke Griffiths