Match Report

Bedwas 6 - Neath 17

Bridgefield, Sat 29th Mar 08 KO: 14:30

Neath turned things around in determined fashion against Bedwas to win 17-6 with Scarlets-bound Martin Roberts making light of the wet conditions.

The 21-year old Ospreys scrum-half, who earlier in the week signed for the Scarlets, proved the main difference between the sides.

In some of the worst ground conditions seen this season, his tactical appreciation and running skills in ankle-deep mud proved textbook stuff.

Neath were aware they had to atone for a ghastly showing at Aberavon on Easter Monday when they lost 29-22, and in the end it was a case of mission accomplished.

The forwards were the more powerful unit throughout, and only a combination of poor finishing and stout defence prevented a bonus point from being banked.

Time and again during the opening half Neath went at it hammer and tongs close to the try-line, but Bedwas seemed to have a man in the right place at the right time to thwart them.

And the boot of former Swansea full-back Stuart Thomas kept the Bridge Field side in the game with Neath only 7-3 up at the break and 12-6 on the hour.

Gareth Gravell took over the Neath captaincy in the continued absence of Lee Beach, and the hard-working Kidwelly-based flanker had one of his best games for the club.

Once more lock Martin Morgan took over the Beach mantle as prime ball carrier with Andrew Llewellyn lending useful support.

Behind the scrum, fly-half Howard Thomas did the basics well while full-back Gareth King was safe as houses under the high ball and strong in attack.

"The response to the Aberavon defeat was good, as the players knew they had to get things spot on in order to beat Bedwas," said Neath head coach Rowland Phillips (pictured).

He went on: "Conditions were similar to the last time we played at the Bridge Field 18 months ago but this time we got the result.

"It's often the way you react to a defeat that is important, and the boys made a big statement in shocking weather conditions.''

Back in November 2006, a late try from Wales Sevens man James Lewis, who kicked up field from his 22 to claim the touchdown, accounted for Neath.

The reverse was true this time around as scrum-half Roberts in the 62nd minute hoofed the ball into space from his 22 and waited for an error.

Full-back Thomas duly obliged. The ex-Swansea and Treorchy man failed to control the rolling ball allowing Roberts a second bite of the cherry.

His second kick ahead went into the in-goal area, and the Ospreys man flopped on the loose ball to touchdown.

With conditions deteriorating by the minute and the ball similar to a bar of soap, handling errors and turnovers led to the game petering out.

During the opening stages it was all Neath, as they hammered away at the try-line, and eventually prop Martin Jones burrowed over for a 13th-minute try.

Fly-half Howard Thomas landed a good conversion into the wind, but the remainder of the half was a case of what might have been.

Neath left several tries buried in the Bridge Field mud, and it was against the run of play when Bedwas got on the scoreboard.

A productive kick and chase in the 38th minute from wing Jimmy Norris was eventually snuffed out by full-back King, at the expense of a penalty.

Bedwas surprisingly opted for goal, but full-back Thomas delivered a wonderful touchline penalty that just crept over the cross bar.

It remained 7-3 until the 45th minute when the driving play of the Neath forwards was next rewarded.

Captain Gravell and fellow back rower Llewellyn helped to drive lock Martin Morgan over for a try that went unconverted.

Even then a second penalty from full-back Thomas, struck in the 49th minute, kept Bedwas in the game on 12-6 until the divine intervention from Roberts.

Two more wins from their remaining four matches - involving Newport, Swansea and Pontypridd at home and away to Cardiff - should be enough to wrap up a fourth consecutive title.

However, Neath now switch to cup mode during a swift return to Cross Keys next Saturday.

"It's an old clich??, but we are taking it one game at a time, and that means the focus now turns to the cup and Cross Keys," continued Phillips. "I anticipate another tight game with Keys on Saturday, and this victory was like a dress rehearsal.''