Match
Neath v Pontypridd
The John Smith's Gnoll
2nd May 2008
Pontypridd go into final as favourites after doing the double over Neath.
Ponty looked like scoring in the first few minutes but Neath to keep their composure and stop them from scoring.
However 15 minutes into the game a determined Ponty, scored first through winger Chris Clayton but luckily for Neath the conversion was missed.
Ponty continued to pressurise the Neath defence and it was only lively full back Kristian Phillips that seemed to be creating chances for the home site.
A late tacked from Neath prop Ross Davies saw Ponty extend their lead to 8-0 much to the dismay of the champions fans.
Neath were granted a penalty to draw the scores closer and Howard made no mistake with the attempt making the score 8-3.
The valley commandos extended their lead with a penalty from their full back . Neath 3 Ponty 11
Ill discipline from Ponty hooker Rhys Williams saw Neath reduced to 14 men. Giving Neath a chance to capatalise in the closing minutes of half time. However even with Neath pressing on the line, Pontypridd stopped them from scoring.
The half which wasn't too impressive for the Neath fans, ended 03- 11 to Pontypridd.
Even down to 14 men Ponty came out their dominant side and 4 minutes into the second half the away side scored through forward Leighton Davies converted by Pocock. Making it 18-3 to the away side.
In an attempt to create some magic, Neath brought on Martin Jones, Jimmy Richards & influential captain Lee Beach.
A simple penalty was missed when Neath should have gone for the corner and it looked like it wasn't to be Neath's night with Ponty doing everything right.
They even looked to capatalise further on Neath errors but the Pocock penalty went wide.
Again young full back Kristian Phillips continued to break the line for Neath but Ponty's defence was superb.
The yellow card to full back Pocock gave Neath the chance to add points to the board, however woeful handling after a good passage of play seemed to make the Ponty faithful even more vocal.
Neath finally scored their first try of the night after 75 minutes but it was a case of too little too late as Arwel Thomas converted Kristian Phillips' well deserved try.
However Ponty had the final say with a try from scrum half Andrew Jenkins.
Final score: Neath 10 Pontypridd 23
