Match Report

Maesteg 5 - Neath 50

Lynfi Road, Sat 20th Dec 08 KO: 14:30

HOLDERS Neath got better as this fourth-round tie with Maesteg opened up during the second half.
Despite leading only 14-5 at the break, the Blacks were seldom in trouble against the first division side.
While Kiwi centre Matty James was the central performer with 25 points - just five behind Neath's cup best held by Kevin James - hooker Ashleigh James turned in a fine display.
Hooker James, who has just returned from a loan spell at Cross Keys, got stuck in to build a winning platform of 31-5 before being replaced.
The intelligent link work of back-row man James Merriman and the ball-carrying skills of captain and No. 8 Lee Beach were other main factors in what became a resounding cup win.
The back division is also beginning to find form, with centre Wayne Mitchell and full-back Gareth King to the fore.
Three seasons back, Neath beat Maesteg 50-9 in a semi-final clash staged at Aberavon - and this latest episode was a case of déjà vu.
However, the Old Parish tore into Neath at the set scrums and for a long time this facet helped to keep the score down.
The Blacks had front-row problems, through Martin Jones and Craig Mitchell both being unavailable and, for the last 10 minutes, hooker Andrew Littlehales switched to tight-head.
Cup restrictions prevented them permitting players in and in the end it was a case of making the most of limited resources.
Abercrave flanker Craig Price made a club debut from the bench, having been recommended by the Plas y Dol club's coach Mark Jones, the former Neath and Wales No. 8.
"Our phase play led to us increasing the tempo and with it went control of the game," said Neath director of rugby Rowland Phillips.
"Restrictions led to the front row causing us concern in the run-up to the tie, but we eventually overcame the problem.
"Though Maesteg were limited, they were a committed side, and they made us work hard for victory.''
Neath opened the scoring with a second-minute penalty from centre James, only to go 5-3 down.
Full-back Liam Healey ran strongly to set up a try for Wales Deaf wing Nigel Francis.
Penalties struck in the 20th and 23rd minutes from Kiwi James helped to discourage Maesteg, while an overlap was created for wing Gareth James to dab down.
That made it 14-5 at the turnaround while, early in the second half, centre James delivered a fourth penalty.
Wales sevens players David Evans and Merriman then crafted a try for captain Lee Beach that left Maesteg with too much of a mountain to climb.
The best try unfolded in the 50th minute when powerful full-back King shrugged off several tackles close to the goal-line.
With the Maesteg defence in disarray, the ball went through the hands of both flanker Merriman and wing Gareth James before centre Matty James touched down.
Wing David Evans got Neath's fourth try on the hour - stretching the lead to 38-5 - while lock Neil Edwards claimed a try from a five-metre line-out.
Close to time, centre Matty James and flanker Merriman set up another try for captain Beach, with James adding a fourth conversion.