NEATH 39 – CARDIFF 24
Neath increased their lead at the top of the Welsh Premiership with a fine win over struggling Cardiff.
In an entertaining match at the Gnoll the 3,500 fans were treated to nine tries. The second Neath try coach Lyn Jones described as “Absolutely top drawer – one of the best tries seen as the Gnoll.”
Top scorers on the night with 14-points were Neath outside half Shaun Conner and Cardiff No.10 Nicky Robinson.
A frantic opening period saw Neath’s powerful pack push the visitors all about the paddock, and they were rewarded with the first try of the match after just five minutes.
Wing Gareth Morris finished a team move with a try in the corner, Connor added the conversion.
Nicky Robinson struck a 45m 10th-minute penalty goal, and 15 minutes later, was on the end of a Nick Walne break to score the the Blue and Blacks’ first try.
The conversion made it 7-10, but the lead was short lived as Neath turned on the style.
An excellent team try was finished by the big-haired Adam Jones in the left-hand corner.
To compound Cardiff misery 38-year-old centre Allan Bateman was on the end of another move in the opposite corner moments later.
But in a move typical of this pulsating first period, Wales squad scrum-half Ryan Powell burst free and ran 45m to the line.
Robinson’s conversion made it 19-17 to Neath at the break.
In a relatively quiet opening to the second period, a Connor penalty goal extended the home advantage as the two sides sparred.
But the match came alive again in the final ten minutes.
First Neath wing Shane Williams scored an excellent 70th-minute try – putting the home side firmly in the driving seat.
But Luke Tait’s try and Robinson’s conversion made it 27-24 with minutes to go.
But from the restart Harris had a kick charged down and Jamie Ringer capitalised with Neath’s fifth try.
As the clock ticked down Connor scored the All Blacks’ sixth try from the last move of the match to infuriate the watching Cardiff coach Dai Young.
He said: “It was a disappointing performance. We did play to the standard we expect of ourselves.”
The capital side must be wondering where their next win is coming from, with just two wins from seven games, they are in eight place, just four points ahead of Caerphilly. But Neath are looking a good bet for success in the Welsh Premiership this year,
Neath: Tries: G Morris, A Jones, A Bateman, S Williams, J Ringer, S Connor Cons: S Connor (3) Pen: Connor
Cardiff: Tries: N Robinson, R Powell, L Tait Cons: Robinson (3) Pen: Robinson
