Match Report

Neath 20 - Llandovery 17

The Gnoll, Sun 3rd May 09 KO: 19:30

Neath final home game of the season - their chance to finish forth in the league and Llandvoery needed a point to remain in the premiership for the 09/10 season.

Neath started in lively fashion with Kevin James coming close in the corner, instead minutes later flanker Lee Evans crossed for the first try of the evening, with Arwel Thomas getting the conversion.
Llandovery snatched possession with Emyr Phillips making a nice run, and the visitors bounced back with a penalty from number 10, Tomas Marks.
Neath got another converted try from winger Kevin James to give the home side a comfortable lead, making it Neath 14 - Llandovery 3.
Tomos Marks missed a penalty and Neath looked to score but David Evans pass to Howard Thomas went forward. Instead Llandovery managed to kick to successive penalties to cut the defecit to just 5 points.
Half Time Score - Neath 14 - Llandovery 9
The Drovers started the second half in sprightly fashion, scoring a try through Rhys Williams four minutes into the half, Marks missed with the conversion but the try was enough to tie the scores level.
Neath 14 Llandovery 14.
A determined Llandovery were boosted when their former lock Haydn Pugh was yellow carded for Neath, giving the visitors the one man advantage.
They capatalised by opting for a penalty in front of the posts, Tomas Marks got the kick to put the visitors in front for the first time in the game. However Arwel Thomas equalised quickly making it 17-17.
The Neath 10 had the chance to put the Blacks back in front but the kick went wide. The remainder of the half was a closely contested affair and it wasn't until 5minutes from the end that Neath took the lead again, making it Neath 20 LLandovery 17.
The Drovers kept it tight towards the end and got a well deserved losing point to book their place in the Premiership for next season.