Match Report

Neath 62 - Cross Keys 20

The Gnoll, Sat 20th Sep 08 KO: 14:30

Neath 62 Cross Keys 20
Saturday 20th September 2008
Kick off 2.30pm

After regional side Cardiff Blues pinched the all pink strip idea that Neath adopted last season, the Gnoll side played their game against the keys in a touquise number, a similar colour to the jersey that won the ‘boys in black' their league title in 1995/96.

Neath opened the scoring on a glorious summer day wih a penalty from Matthew Jarvis.
Keys responded quickly with a well worked try from full back Paul Smithson who converted his try.
Keys, by far the hungrier side kept hold of possession for the first quarter but were prevented from scoring again.

Instead Gareth King stole possession fed to Beachy who did the leg work for Dafydd Lockyer to cross. Matthew Jarvis added the conversion making it 10-7 to the home side.

A mix up in communication from the Cross Keys backs led to Gerwyn Price picking up and crossing for his first of the afternoon, again converted by Matthew Jarvis.

Young winger David Evans crossed for his try on 35 minutes and the home side were playing some good rugby.
Neath 22 - 7

Before the break Marcus Johnstone crossed for a try with Paul Smithson converted and Keys edged closer to the home side with a last minute penalty again by Smithson.

Half Time Neath 22 Cross Keys 17

Keys had a pop at goal early on in the second half but the kick went wide.
Then for 10 minutes Keys were pressing on their line but settled for a penalty instead to edge them closer to Neath's tally.
Neath 22 Keys 20

Assistant coach Arwel Thomas took to the field after 55 minutes to try and get the troops in order, seconds later Lee Beach looked to be over but he dropped the ball on the line.

However his fellow back rower Gareth Gravell did cross minutes later to give Neath a bonus point, converted by Arwel Thomas.
Neath 29 - Cross Keys 20.

The home side extended their lead further, new boy Haydn Pugh doing the leg work and David Evans crossing for his 2nd of the afternoon. Arwel Thomas was unable to add to his tally with the conversion.

Neath 34 Cross Keys 20

A clever chip ahead from outside half Arwel Thomas, and the legs of Matthew Nuthall gave Neath their sixth of the afternoon. A Thomas conversion took Neath over the 40 point mark.
Neath 41 Cross Keys 20.

Lee Beach managed to cross the tryline - this time without losing the ball! - converted by Arwel Thomas.
Neath 48 Cross Keys 20.

Yet more Neath veterans took to the field, Patrick Horgan at scrum half and Andrew Howells at prop.
Neath continued to add to their tally with centre Gaerth King crossing for the eight of the afternoon, converted by Thomas, Neath 55 Cross Keys 20

Lockyer crossed for his second of the afternoon and Arwel Thomas converted on the close of play.
Final score 62- 20, next up Bedwas away.

Man of the match was awarded to former Cross Keys boy Gerwyn Price by former Neath player, Peter Davies.

15. Matthew Nuthall
14. Kevin James
13. Dafydd Lockyer
12 Gareth King
11. David Evans
10 Matthew Jarvis
9 Tavis Knoyle
1 Nicky Downs
2 Gerwyn Price
3 Craig Mitchell
4 Euros Evans
5 Haydn Pugh
6 Lee Evans
7 Gareth Gravell
8 Lee Beach ©