Match Report

Pontypridd 22 - Neath 28

Millennium Stadium, Fri 16th May 08 KO: 16:00

NEATH wreaked full retribution on old rivals Pontypridd at the Millennium Stadium to become the first semi-professional side to complete a league and cup double.
Prior to the Welsh game going regional in 2003, Llanelli had achieved the feat in 1993, and the Blacks followed suit in lifting the cup for a fifth time.

In another titanic struggle between two evenly matched sides, it formed the perfect backdrop for 23-times capped former Wales fly-half Arwel Thomas to showcase his immense talent for a final time.
Thomas, who was making a 100th appearance for Neath since his debut against Aberavon back in 1994., had previously announced a coaching role with Neath next season.
"The game had a special meaning for me, as I made my first-class debut with Neath, and to bow out with a second cup winner's medal was just perfect," said Thomas, who also took in spells with Bristol, Swansea, Llanelli Scarlets and Pau.

But Thomas was mindful that his former Neath half-back partner Gareth Jones - who appeared for Pontypridd in their 2006 cup success over the Blacks - is still in hospital.
Jones, who hails from Glyncoch, sustained a serious spinal injury in a league match at Cardiff on April 20.

Thomas continued: "Our thoughts remain with Gareth Jones and his family - it was a terrible thing to happen and everyone is just praying that he pulls through."
Neath head coach Rowland Phillips saluted his cup-winning side for the professional manner in which they prepared for the cup onslaught.

"To become the first semi-professional team to record a league and cup double will give the team and town of Neath another massive boost," declared Phillips.
"We knew there was never going to be much to choose between the sides, and in the end a fine all-round team display allowed us to climb on to the podium."

Pontypridd head coach Paul John said: "Neath have set the benchmark - they won the league title with three weeks to spare -- and in the end it was strength in depth that told."
While the spotlight was firmly on Thomas, the Blacks also bade farewell to lock Martin Morgan, who is joining first-division Carmarthen Quins, and Scarlets-bound scrum-half Martin Roberts.

Three hours after Shane Williams's testimonial match lit up the Millennium Stadium, both sides went at it hammer and tongs from the outset.
Ponty set up some sound early chances with dynamic flanker Rhys Shellard and wing Chris Clayton showing up prominently down the right flank. They took a 10th minute lead when fly-half Gareth McCarthy was successful with a second penalty, but as the half drew to a conclusion so the Blacks came on strong.

A 28th-minute run from Neath's inspirational captain and No 8 Lee Beach was halted just short of the try-line. But second-phase ball led to scrum-half Martin Roberts touching down with fly-half Thomas converting.
Soon after television match official Gareth Simmonds ruled out an attempted touchdown from flanker James Merriman - but Neath remained on the attack.
An unstoppable scrum drive led to No 8 Beach claiming a pushover try with Thomas' conversion making it 14-3 at the changeover.
Six minutes into the second half came the pivotal moment when centre Stephen Thomas latched on to a loose ball on halfway.
His piercing run was taken on by flanker Merriman, who sent man-of-the-match Gareth King in at the posts with fly-half Thomas adding the extras.
That left Ponty with a mountain to climb, but things changed in the 66th minute when Neath had wing Matthew Nuthall binned.

Ponty were awarded a penalty try for a collapsed maul - goaled by fly-half McCarthy - but Neath hit back with a fourth try.
Full-back King and centre Thomas performed the approach work to send flanker Merriman over for a 72nd-minute try that fly-half Thomas improved on.
Ponty struck back with late tries from replacement flanker Lee Evans and centre Tom Riley, but by then Neath were already celebrating a fifth cup success in 37 seasons of the revamped tournament.