NEATH START PREMIER TITLE DEFENCE AT HOME
And their contest at The Gnoll on Saturday, 3 September, will come hot on the heels of the clubs having met in their final pre-season “warm-up” match at the same venue.
“We have created some momentum at Neath and the aim will be to keep that going,” said coach Roland Phillips, the former Wales back row forward. “We like the taste of success but we are not setting ourselves any targets of winning the league or cups – we will simply focus on the next step in front of us. The chief aim is to continue to improve with the performances paramount.
“It is ironic that our opening match means we will be playing Llanelli in successive games but we are looking forward to the new season and the challenge of defending the title.”
Neath were crowned 2005 Premier champions after scoring 165 tries on their way to winning 27 of their 32 matches and finishing nine points clear of Newport with 81 points.
Llanelli beat Neath 24-13 at Stradey Park to end that 15-match run but the All Blacks gained revenge with a 22-0 triumph at The Gnoll. Neath won 16 out of 16 on home soil on their way to the title.
Last season’s runners-up Newport launch their challenge with an opening day trip to promoted Glamorgan Wanderers with last season’s National League Division One champions and fellow promotion winners Maesteg away to Llandovery.
In other opening round matches on 3 September Bridgend travel to Swansea, Carmarthen Quins are home to Aberavon, Pontypool host Pontypridd, Cardiff go to Ebbw Vale and Bedwas have home advantage against Cross Keys.
