Match Report

Cross Keys 31 - Neath 32

Pandy Park, Sat 28th Mar 09 KO: 14:30

By Tony Poole
At Pandy Park

WEST is certainly best where the Swalec Cup is concerned this season with the four Welsh Premiership sides making history.
For a first time in the revamped cup competition that dates back to 1971/72, Aberavon, Llanelli, Neath and Swansea will contest the semi-finals on the weekend of April 18.
And the draw conducted in the Cross Keys clubhouse afterwards paired Neath with Swansea while Aberavon meet Llanelli.
But the western quartet were almost minus holders and five-times winners Neath, who eventually limped into a 15th semi-final.
A tie they were comfortably winning 32-5 with just 10 minutes remaining almost slipped from their grasp.
A combination of crippling injuries and taking their foot off the accelerator too soon almost proved a disastrous recipe.
Keys had squandered too much ball to be taken seriously, but when they cut out these basic errors deep into the final quarter, they gave the holders an almighty scare.
A strong wind played dominated play, and for 29 minutes the wind-assisted Blacks scored at a point a minute.
But they failed to kick on in the run up to half time, and instead they gifted Keys flanker Rhys Peebles a try from the final move.
That made it 29-5 at the turnaround while fly-half Arwel Thomas, who continued to pull the strings, had the savvy to land a 50th-minute drop-goal.
As it turned out it proved the difference between winning and losing, and for a second year on the trot the Blacks eliminated Keys at the quarter-final stage.
"We somehow contrived to turn a handsome cup victory into a slender one-point success," said Neath director of rugby Rowland Phillips.
He continued: "The players need to take a long, hard look at themselves, as their performance in the last 10 minutes simply wasn't acceptable to Neath Rugby.''
Phillips was as baffled as a large Neath contingent at Pandy Park as to why the wheel came off their wagon late on.
"Five injuries seemed to destroy our rhythm, but the players brought on were all experienced squad members.
"We knew first-half points with the wind would be crucial, and some of our best rugby of the season resulted in 29 points.
"We conceded a soft try right on half time, but continued to consolidate through the third quarter.
"But during the last 10 minutes our enthusiasm waned, and it became a sheer embarrassment.''
Neath's walking wounded at Pandy Park were fly-half Arwel Thomas, wing Kevin James, prop Craig Mitchell and flanker Lee Evans, who all picked up leg injuries.
However, centre Luke Ford popped his shoulder, and the extent of these injuries were being assessed at The Gnoll today.
Neath were given first use of a strengthening wind, and wing David Evans nipped over for a second-minute try.
Fly-half Thomas converted and added a penalty while continual pressure led to centre Luke Ford gliding over for a 16th-minute try.
An inside pass from fly-half Thomas sent lock Neil Edwards charging over for a 25th-minute try, and soon after wing Kevin James exploited weak tackling to touchdown.
That made it 29-0 with the try from Peebles forming a crumb of comfort for depressed home fans.
Fly-half Thomas departed on the hour after dropping a goal, and the tie seemed to be drifting towards a predictable outcome.
But by hook or by crook, Keys cut out the errors that had blighted their game, and Canadian A international Stephen Woodward collected a 70th-minute try that he also goaled.
Then two tries in as minutes from wing Will Johnstone - replacement fly-half Woodward improving on - made things much closer on 32-24.
And in the final move of a topsy-turvy contest, replacement centre James Egan dabbed down with Woodward converting from the touchline.
But much to the relief of the Neath contingent, referee Phil Fear blew for time to bring the curtain down on a dramatic end.

Match stats

Cross Keys 31
Tries: W. Johnstone (2), R. Peebles, S. Woodward, J. Egan; Cons: S. Woodward (3)

L. Andrews (repl J. Leadbetter 29 mins) ; M. Johnstone, G. Maule (repl J. Egan 66), C. Pocock, W. Johnstone; J. Deacon (repl S. Woodward 59), O. Jones; D. Preece (repl J. Price 61), L. Burns, N. Buck (repl B. Fisher 57), A. Jones (repl A. Sweet 44), M. Curtis, C. Bridges (repl G. Gladwyn 49), R. Peebles, T. Lampard

Neath 32
Tries: D. Evans, L. Ford, N. Edwards, K. James; Cons: A. Thomas (3); Pen: A. Thomas; Drp-gl: A. Thomas

H. Thomas; K. James (repl W. Mitchell 65), L. Ford (repl A. Littlehales 69), S. Thomas, D. Evans; A. Thomas (repl M. James 59), K. Farrell (repl G. James 53); N. Downs, A. James (repl G. Price 53), C. Mitchell (repl A. Howell 44), E. Evans, N. Edwards, L. Evans (repl C. Ruddock 59), L. Beach (capt), G. Gravell

Referee: Phil Fear (Fleur de Lys)

Neath star choice: Arwel Thomas

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