
MATCH REPORT: NEATH 21 points BRECON 21 points – SATURDAY 11th JANUARY 2025
Neath missed the chance to go joint top of the Premiership again when they drew with Brecon at The Gnoll, both teams scoring three converted tries each.
A late change brought in centre Rhodri Wall for his first came since being injured on October 7 – strangely enough at Brecon in the Cup – as the frost relented to allow only two games in the Division, this game and that at Newcastle Emlyn, to go ahead.
In the early stages, both sides opted to kick for position but the two full backs Iestyn Morgan and Jake Newman were equal to the task.
The All Blacks made most of the running though and deservedly took the lead when scrum-half Rhodri Cole darted away from a tapped penalty to score his sixth try of the season and Steff Williams added the conversion points.
Neath kept up the pressure and should have added to their lead but they were penalised on the Brecon line and then skipper Ben Williams tried to send Cole over again but he was tackled by two defenders.
Brecon lost former Wales international and No.8 Kristian Dacey to a yellow card for a high tackle which probably owed more to instinct than to intent but despite being a man down Brecon defended manfully and Neath were unable to take advantage.
Just before half-time Brecon advanced into the Neath 22 and replacement centre Tom Davies crashed over for a try which outside-half James Dixon converted to level the scores.
Half-time – Neath 7 points Brecon 7 points
Brecon carried their resurgence into the second-half and they had much the better of the opening quarter when Neath rarely gathered an assault and soaked up a lot of tackles.
It was brave and usually determined enough but Brecon pulled clear through converted tries by wing Sam Jones, James Dixon adding the extras to both to make it 7-21.
Having spent much of the half defending, Neath suddenly shook themselves again. A penalty to the corner for a line-out gave them the chance, the forwards drove, their march was joined by the centres before Neath released the ball to Steff Williams.
The outside-half’s pin-point cross-kick was calmly collected by winger Nathan Orrells, a lonely figure on the right flank, and he dabbed down for his eighth try of the season which Williams goaled.
With one score in it, Neath had an ace or two up their sleeves in the shape of teenage conjurors George Richards and Ellis Lewis who stepped up the pace and a fine movement also involving Wall and Williams led to Ellis Lewis getting Neath’s third try.
It was then down to cool-head Steff Williams who landed the conversion from wide out to level at 21-21. With time still to play, Neath attacked hard before the whistle went to end a keenly-fought game between two sides whose three results this season have seen a 7-point win for each and a draw – 3 games and 64 points each which suggests that there is little between them.
Neath therefore remain in second place and are at home to Newbridge next Saturday in what will be the Gwent club’s first appearance at The Gnoll for 20 years.
The Former Players are gathering too and Neath RFC supporters will have the opportunity to show their respect for the late Steve Dando.
NEATH – I.Morgan; N.Orrells (G.Richards), R.Wall, K.Charles, M.Jenkins; S.Williams, R.Cole (E.Lewis); M.Morgan (R.Taylor), J.Clark (E.Kneath), T.Dabeh (G.W.Lloyd); J.Blackmore (C.Arnold), M.Davies; B.Williams (capt) (O.Morgan), M.Kneath (C.Williams), G.Tremlett
BRECON – J.Newman (G.Walsh); S.Jones, T.Richards, Jack Dixon (T.Davies), C.Davies; James Dixon, L.Jones (G.Workman); C.Phillips (L.Smout), A.James (G.Clarke), O.Ford (C.Cox); A.Lee (capt), C.Bradbury (T.Offa); I.Edwards (L.McIntosh), K.Dacey, M.Williams ,
Referee – Mr. N.James (Abersychan)
Images courtesy of Len Kowalski www.lensworkphotography.co.uk
@NeathTog