
MATCH REPORT: NEATH 28 points NEWBRIDGE 22 points – SATURDAY 18th January 2025
NEATH held off Newbridge’s determined challenge to gain an important bonus-point win at a dry but cold Gnoll on Saturday.
Prior to kick off a minute’s applause was held in memory of former Neath lock Steve Dando who was buried on Friday and it was fitting that many of his former colleagues were there to pay their respects to a grand old forward who featured in many a close battle between these two clubs.
Playing towards the Town, Neath enjoyed the better of the first half and, after losing the ball on the line, they recovered their poise and a well-executed move off a line-out brought a try for centre Rhodri Wall which Steff Williams, playing at full back, converted.
Neath were doing well in the contact area, winning three turn-overs in quick possession, but careless handling cost them dear before scrum-half Connor Tantum nipped across for a debut try which Williams converted to make it 14-nil.
With Cai Arnold and Jacob Blackmore doing sterling work at the line-outs, the strong running of centre Kieran Charles was causing Newbridge much concern but Neath were guilty of wasting chances and before half-time Newbridge hit back with a fine try by flanker Adam White which full back Eamonn Rees converted.
Neath, too often seeking confrontation rather than space, bombed a couple of chances themselves before the interval.
Half-time – Neath 14 points Newbridge 7 points
The concession of a try in the lead-up to half-time ought to have caused alarm-bells to ring for Neath but, as against Brecon the previous week, it was the visitors who came out stronger.
No.8 Mike Preece powered over from a scrum wide out, Rees converting, and the visitors bagged a second so suddenly Neath were down 14-19.
This stung Neath into action and a furious attack by the forwards led to a try by lock Jacob Blackmore which Steff Williams converted and the Blacks wasted little time in under-lining their advantage with a first try by Tarik (Bull) Dabeh, Steff Williams’ fourth conversion out of four sending him past 750 points for the Club.
With calm restored at 28-19, Neath now had to keep their line safe. Newbridge advanced as far a halfway to earn a penalty which Rees kicked to earn a bonus point for Newbridge but Neath remained in charge until the end to clinch the win.
Apart from the five points bagged, the big plus for Neath was the performance of several players on their return to fitness. The likes of Rhodri Wall, George Richards, Connor Tantum, Josh Jones and Owain Morgan have not played much rugby so far and all did well while it was good to see flanker Casey Williams, back after illness, and doing what he does best always in the thick of the action.
Newbridge fought as hard as any side to have visited The Gnoll this season and they will make a speedy return to The Gnoll on March 1 for a cup semi-final against Pontypridd which should be an attractive prospect.
Neath now move on to what is certain to be another embracing Gwent challenge when they visit Cross Keys who won at Brecon on Saturday.
NEATH – S Williams; N Orrells (R Cole), R Wall, K Charles (M Jenkins), I Morgan; G Richards, C Tantum; J Jones (M Morgan), J Clark (E Kneath), T Dabeh (G W Lloyd); J Blackmore, C Arnold (M Davies); O Morgan (G Tremlett), B Williams (capt), C Williams (D Ceredig)
NEWBRIDGE – E Rees; S Watkins, E Chess ( A Paterson), J Thomas (R Turley), C Jones; S Veall, M Davies (I Martin-Lloyd); G Young (M Kavanagh), S Vokes (capt) (J Gilbert), J Reames-Williams (O Hatherall); L Ford (J Duffy), G McDonnell; Z Stuart (A White), M Preece, R Edwards
Referee – Ms. A Stamp-Dunstan (Cardiff)
Images courtesy of Len Kowalski www.lensworkphotography.co.uk
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