Match Report

Pontypridd 15 - Neath 8

Sardis Road , Sat 13th Sep 08 KO: 14:30

ANYONE expecting a classic rematch between last season's cup finalists must have felt short changed.
One of the drabbest games that the Welsh Premiership has unearthed in its six-season existence deservedly went to Pontypridd.
That said, if Neath had showed any genuine desire much earlier they would have walked away with a comfortable victory.
The second half, in particular, was a stop-start affair and referee Neil Ballard, who failed to prevent the ruck area developing into a mess, did get it right in allowing the second half to run for 55 minutes.

Each time play stopped, medical attention became the order of the day, and, in the circumstances, momentum was impossible.
All in all a match billed as one of the star attractions of the Premiership season proved a dreadful advert for the semi-professional game.
While the Ponty contingent were delighted with an opening victory, neutrals among a crowd of more than 2,000 must have made inquiries regarding a refund.

"It was a dour game, and one of the most boring I have witnessed for some time," said Neath director of rugby Rowland Phillips.
He added: "The plan is to make this division attractive, but that is impossible when things got bogged down at the ruck area.
"That resulted in the game being left in a state of limbo, and neither side was able to play properly.
"However, I have no complaints whatsoever regarding the result.
"It showed we had not taken on board the lessons from an unconvincing win over Pontypool the week before.''

Few in the Neath side came out of the game with much credit, but at least flanker Lee Evans got stuck in.
He made some big hits against his former team-mates, while captain Lee Beach attempted to instill some life in his listless troops.
Behind the scrum, full-back Gareth King was once more their most potent attacker, but even his daring running failed to lift spirits.
And, as so often is the case, it was only when the game was drifting away that Neath decided to play.

Steadier finishing should have then brought them a share of the spoils on two occasions during the prolonged period of extra time.
A long break from wing Matthew Nuthall petered out inside the home 22 in the 88th minute, and four minutes on another chance was botched up.
A pass to replacement wing David Evans on halfway would have surely resulted in the Wales Sevens flier going clear.
Instead play was switched back inside, resulting in replacement prop Craig Mitchell going for broke, and he was held up five metres short of the goal line.

But up until that late stage, the dual champions had created precious little, and in the end they got what they deserved - a losing bonus point.
Pontypridd had much the better of the opening half and took a 12th-minute lead with a corner try from wing Chris Clayton.
The only other score of the half came in the 17th minute when Wales Under-18 fly-half Matthew Jarvis landed a bread-and-butter penalty.
As the game wore on so the medical attendants stole the spotlight, and fluidity went out of the window.
Pontypridd won a five-metre line-out in the 70th minute that resulted in a close-range try from prop Stuart Williams that replacement fly-half David Flanagan converted.
That made it 12-3, while Neath hit back a minute into time added on.

A surge from centre Dafydd Lockyer was taken on by Nuthall, and fellow wing David Evans was worked over for a first Premiership try.
The conversion attempt by Jarvis failed, and three minutes later Neath required a seven-pointer after Flanagan obliged with an angled penalty.

It led to the Blacks throwing caution to the wind, but by now they had blown their chances.
Neath now face a bounce-back mission against Cross Keys at The Gnoll on Saturday, with the main hope that they can avoid another frustrating day.