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Match Report

Neath 17 - Maesteg 6

The Gnoll, Sat 19th Jan 08 KO: 14:30

Neath v Maesteg Saturday 19th January 2008Beachy gets two as Neath secure hard fought win.Neath captain Lee Beach spurred his troops on to another win in miserable conditions at the Gnoll.At a wet & windy Gnoll Neath opened the scoring with a try from captain Lee Beach, Arwel Thomas converted making it 7-0 after 8minutes gone.

Thomas added further points to the board with a conversion, stretching the home sides lead to 10points.The second Neath try of the afternoon came from captain Lee Beach who crashed over for his 2nd of the afternoon. Arwel Thomas slotted over the conversion.

Neath 17 – Maesteg 0.

Former Neath boy Luke Richards added Maesteg’s  1st points to the board  with a penalty.As half time approached James Merriman made a break, fed to Aled Bevan who couldn’t quite find his man. In the worsening weather conditions Neath ended the half Neath 17 Maesteg 3.

Maesteg were the first to increase their score in the 2nd half, when Luke Richards added another 3 points. Neath 17 - Maesteg 6 

Minutes later after pressing on the Neath line for some time, Richards got another opportunity to increase their tally, but the kick went wide.Maesteg kept their hands on the ball for the opening quarter of the 2nd half keen to stop Neath from adding to their tally.

It took Neath 30minutes into the 2nd half to get near their line & it looked like influential captain Lee Beach was to cross for his third try of the afternoon, but the ball was knocked on as he crossed the line! 

Winger Kevin James snatched the ball from Maesteg to win the turnover & Arwel Thomas kicked for the corner giving Neath stronger  territorial advantage but again the chance went begging However Maesteg’s defence held firm & Neath were again unable to add to their tally.A last minute break from Steve Thomas looked promising but again the ball went loose &  summed up a frustrating afternoon for the Neath faithful.

Final Score Neath 17 Maesteg 6A lacklustre second half from Neath but another win secured, next up  Swansea in the Konica Minolta Cup, Saturday 26th January.