Match Report

Gilfach Goch 3 - Neath 44

Welfare Park , Sat 24th Jan 09 KO: 14:30

HOLDERS Neath prevented a record crowd at Gilfach Goch from enjoying a fairytale outcome.

Comments in the match programme yearned for a dream headline of: "Mighty Neath dumped out of the cup." But day-dreaming was all it turned out to be as the five-times winners cruised into the last-16 stage.

As David and Goliath acts go this proved fairly tame stuff from Gilfach, who failed to breathe any real fire during the opening exchanges.
The second division side failed to put early points on the scoreboard and, by the time fly-half Gareth Walters slotted over an 18th-minute penalty, Neath were in the groove.

Neath handed a first start to ex-Cardiff centre Luke Ford, who could have made more of an impact if he had chosen right options more often.
However, he looks a useful acquisition, and his worth might well surface during the business end of the season.

Lock Euros Evans had one of his best games of the season, while captain and No. 8 Lee Beach was also to the fore.

"Getting a result was of prime importance, and to not concede a try was another big bonus for us on the day," said Neath director of rugby Rowland Phillips.

He went on: "We got stronger as the tie unfolded, but individual errors prevented us from scoring several more tries.
"In fairness to Gilfach Goch they were a committed side, who possessed a sound defence, but I have to be satisfied with the attitude of the Neath players.''

This was billed as the biggest game in club history for Gilfach, as surprisingly they had met only one other Premiership club.
They lost 31-7 at home to Cross Keys back in 1995-96, and this formed only a second occasion for them to reach the last 32.

The Blacks opened with a bang, and wing Gareth James was twice held up just short of the try-line during the opening minutes.
However, a fine run from centre Ford set up an eighth-minute try for full-back Gareth King that went unconverted.
Two penalties from centre Matty James further discouraged Gilfach before fly-half Walters responded.

But, during injury time, a surge from prop Paul Jones, who captained Neath during the 2004 cup final success over Caerphilly, spreadeagled the home defence.

Fly-half Arwel Thomas carried on the move, resulting in wing James crossing for a try that broke home hearts.
Neath led 16-3 at the break, while there was no addition to the score during the third quarter.

A high tackle on centre Ford then yielded a penalty, with captain Beach diving over for a 60th-minute try that centre James improved on.
Soon afterwards, a superb tackle on wing James by Gilfach captain and centre Nathan Walters, who was later binned, typified home spirit.

Gilfach's commitment to the tackle kept the score down, but they ran out of steam in the closing stages.
Strong-running scrum-half Tavis Knoyle got Neath's fourth try in the 65th minute, while the 14 men again assembled under the posts after wing James collected a second try.

Neath ran the ball from all areas during the closing exchanges, and their final try was well worth the admission money.
The ball travelled through countless pairs of hands before lock Haydn Pugh sent wing David Evans over for a memorable score.
Replacement fly-half Matthew Jarvis added the conversion, leaving Gilfach to concentrate on trying to win promotion to the first division.

Tony Poole