Match Report

Pontypool 18 - Neath 33

Pontypool, Sat 13th Dec 08 KO: 14:30

CHRISTMAS came early for champions Neath during the first half of this topsy-turvy clash with Pontypool.
Pontypool did not show up during the first half, and it took the red-carding of Neath prop Craig Mitchell to get them going.
The Blacks dominated the opening half from start to finish and should have been more than 20 points to the good by the 39th minute.
Pooler failed to get a foothold inside the Neath 22, but on their first visit wing Nathan Preece shot over for a try to reduce the interval deficit to 20-5.

Mitchell and opposite number Aled Williams had received yellow cards in the seventh minute following an ugly brawl.
Both players left the field with faces covered in blood and it took 15 minutes to patch Mitchell up.
However, when he came in from the side of ruck in the 57th minute, referee Huw David again went for his yellow card.
But it was only when someone pointed out to the Cefn Cribwr official that it was Mitchell's second caution that he reached for the red version.
At this juncture the Blacks were still in a strong position, leading 23-11, but Pooler then threatened to turn the game on its head.
Suddenly, a team that was down and out at half-time began to show an interest.

And a close-range try in the 70th minute from No. 8 Nicky Coughlin, converted by fly-half Tom Hancock, left the former Gwent giants fancying their chances.

But in their rush to get back to the Neath 22, they spilled the ball close to the try-line and Ospreys centre Kristian Phillips secured the pivotal try.
Not only did Phillips's touchdown make things safe, it also secured Neath a first bonus-point victory since the 57-20 success at Bedwas back in September.
And just to make sure of things, replacement fly-half Arwel Thomas landed a drop-goal in the 79th minute.

"In many ways this game encapsulated our season, and in the end a sheer desire to win one more pulled us through," said Neath director of rugby Rowland Phillips.
He added: "We played well during the first half with possession and territory reflected on the scoreboard.
"But the dismissal of Craig Mitchell led to it being another test of character.
"And once again we were not found wanting.
"A lot of teams would have buckled at this stage, but we clung on and were rewarded with a bonus-point victory.''

Pooler were a walking disaster during the opening half, and Neath should have banked the bonus point by the interval.
Former Ebbw Vale lock Neil Edwards ruled the roost at the line-outs while prop Nicky Downs once more showed that he is becoming a force on the Premiership scene.
Scrum-half Kevin Farrell brought the best out of young Matthew Jarvis, while midfield men Wayne Mitchell and Phillips revelled in rare space and lax defending.

Flanker Gareth Gravell, who came off with more shoulder trouble at half-time, set up the opening try for Farrell in the fifth minute.
Sandwiched between tries from pacy hooker Gerwyn Price was a Jarvis penalty, with Neath domination reflected in a 20-0 scoreline.
The try from wing Preece gave the home side something to build on.

Fly-half Hancock landed two penalties during the third quarter compared to one from Jarvis, making it 23-11, with the dismissal of Mitchell then levelling things up.
Neath were rocking for a quarter of an hour, but only leaked a try to Coughlin and went on to roll Pooler over.

Back-to-back victories over Llanelli and Pontypool have taken some of the pressure off Neath, but it will surely return at Aberavon on Boxing Day.