Match Report

Neath 21 - Pontypridd 17

The Gnoll, Sat 17th Jan 09 KO: 14:00

Neath 21 Pontypridd 17
Saturday 17th January 2009 - 2pm
Neath record first win of 2009 - against Pontypridd.
Neath had the chance to open the scoring 10 minutes in but Matty James' kick went wide.
In an unexciting first half, fans had to wait 35 minutes for the first points of the afternoon, a penalty kick from Ponty fly half Dai Flanagan.Minutes later Matty James had the opportunity to draw the score levels, but missed with the penalty attempt.
Neath 0 Pontypridd 3
However in the seventh minute of first half injury time Neath got their first points of the afternoon Matthew Nuthall scored in the corner, converted by Matthew Jarvis.
Half tIme Neath 7 Ponty 3
Neath started the second half in the same vein that they ended the first, scoring a well worked try through scrum half Kevin Farrell, Jarvy converted making it Neath 14 - Pontypridd 3
Ponty kept possession but failed to convert pressure into points, instead Kingy snatched the ball which resulted in centre Jonathan Spratt crossing for his first try on welsh soil since returning from Taranaki.
Matthew Jarvis converted the simple kick.
Neath 21 - Ponty 3
Ponty prop Sam Hobbs scored the away sides first of the afternoon on 73 minutes, converted by full back Baller, Neath 21 Pontytpridd 10.
Neath looked like crossing for their bonus point try after full back Gareth King made a break but hooker Gerwyn Price dropped the ball!
Pontypridd were awarded a suprising penalty try at the close of the second half, Mccarthy converting edging Ponty closer to the home side, but Neath ran out deserved winners, the game ended Neath 21 Pontypridd 17.
Next up Gilfach Goch in the cup!