Neath have clinched the League title for an unprecedented fourth time and have surpassed their own ‘golden era’ when the Welsh All Blacks were Wales’s champion club for three years in 1988-1989, 1989-1990 under the old ‘Western Mail’ championship then the first League winners in 1990-1991.
Those were the days when players like Paul Thorburn, Allan Bateman, Brian Williams, Kevin Phillips, Mark Jones and current Coach Rowland Phillips were in their pomp and it was a period that also encompassed two Cup doubles as well.
Following their trip to the Arms Park on Sunday the Welsh All Blacks build towards a Konica Minolta Cup semi-final against Glamorgan Wanderers next week.
Coach Phillips commented, “We are pleased to have sewn up our fourth title in as many years and there is definitely no lessening of the satisfaction felt by all concerned at the club – it reflects the commitment of everyone involved including players, staff and supporters.”
“It has been a gratifying if challenging campaign but we have revised our targets upwards for the rest of the season and, as ever, we are looking to improve.”
“We have trained well this week and have another session on Saturday with Cardiff very much in our minds. Earlier in the season, they beat us 20-15 at The Gnoll so we need to correct that. Cardiff are a powerful unit and we understand that they see this game as their Cup Final so we’ll need to be prepared.”
Neath will not select until after training on Saturday and a largely injury-free preliminary squad includes Wales U18 wing Kristian Phillips, a former Neath ball boy, whose only previous appearance came in the 43-12 Boxing Day win over Aberavon and Wales Sevens starlet David Evans.
Neath (from): G King, N Clapham, K James, K Phillips, S Thomas, D Lockyer, W Mitchell, M Nuthall, D Evans, H Thomas, A Thomas, G Jones, G James, M Roberts, N Downs, M Jones, J Richards, A James, A Littlehales, R Davies, C Mitchell, C Ruddock, E Evans, S Martin, M Morgan, A Llewellyn, G Gravell, L Beach (Captain), S Pengelly J Merriman, G Price
