Match Report

Neath 29 - Newport 19

The Gnoll, Sat 11th Oct 08 KO: 17:30

Arwel Thomas gets 19 points and secures victory for the Blacks.

Newport looked to open the scoring in the opening minutes with a penalty form Jason Tovey, the no 10 missed but Arwel Thomas kicked two quick penalties to open the scoring for the Blacks.

Neath made a break from hooker Gerwyn Price but the ball was lost in play.
Tovey got his second attempt at goal and slotted over the 3 points.
Neath 6 Newport 3

Newport hooker Mike Leaman broke from the Neath 22 but was taken out by Nicky Downs.

Neath scrumhalf Kevin Farrell controlled the game well and Arwel Thomas added to his points tally with a long range kick. Neath 9 Newport 3

Newport responded by putting pressure on the Neath line, but were held up.
The Black and Ambers re grouped and scored the first try of the evening through captain Andrew Coombes.
Jason Tovey had chance to put them in front at half time, but missed with the conversion.

Half Time Neath 9 Newport 8

At the start of the second half Newport no 2 Mike Leaman was penalised for a late charge on Arwel Thomas, but the fly half managed to recover in time to slot over his forth penalty of the night.
Neath 12 Newport 8

Minutes later Newport were back in their 22, but when the penalty came Jason Tovey opted to add the 3 points to edge the black and ambers closer to the leaders.
Neath 12 Newport 11.

However Neath responsed quickly when new boy Kevin Farell scurried over for his first try as a Neath player. Arwel Thomas converted to stretch the home sides lead to 19-11.

Newport kept in touch with a Dan Griffiths penalty and on 61 minutes Newport levelled the scoring when winger Mike Poole crossed in the corner.
Replacement Dan Griffiths had the chance to put the away side in the lead for the first time but the kick went wide.
Neath 19 Newport 19.

Newport number 7 was yellow carded but Newport kept their cool and had two shots at goal, both were missed.

Arwel had the chance to put the blacks in the lead but his 50 metre penalty went wide.
Former Neath player Dan Mcshane was carded for the Black and Ambers and the penalty goal kicked by Thomas put Neath in front again.
Neath 22 - Newport 19

Neath capatalised on their slender lead after break from Gareth King, fed James Merriamn who gave a scoring pass to Haydn Pugh, converted by Gareth King.
Final Score Neath 29 - Newport 19