That was the last time they won any silverware, but at The Gnoll on Saturday night they could become the first winners of the Principality Premiership Tier 2 Play-Off title when they host Newport. The Black & Ambers finished top of the table, but Gareth Llewellyn’s Welsh All Blacks are in the midst of a mini-revival.
They beat Bridgend and Cross Keys in successive weekend’s to firstly clinch a place in the top four and then the final. Now they are targeting a title against a Newport side that has won the last four league games between the two teams, including a double this season.
Both games were played at The Gnoll and Newport triumphed 12-10 on 3 November and 25-9 on 18 March. Can they complete the hat-trick and win their first title since 2004?
“This is a reward for a long and arduous season. Finishing in this manner is important given what has happened at the cub in the last 10 days or so,” admitted Newport’s head coach Craig Warlow.
“It will be nice to finish on a positive note having been through the wringer this season. To know we are able to continue next season with contracts in place after 140 years at Rodney Parade is great news.
“We’ve tried to separate the two things, the rugby and the off the field difficulties. We all knew there was an issue, but the fact it has been resolved has given us a timely boost and after an initial emotion of relief when it was all settled there is now an air of excitement.
“Neath are a good team who are capable of cutting loose. They have put Cross Keys, a team we have struggled against this season, to the sword and it’s simple – we’ve got to play well. It’s about us being able to execute our game plan and doing the basics well.”
Warlow will be without back row man Rhys Jenkins and outside half Matt O’Brien for the trip to The Gnoll. Reuben Tucker comes in at No 8, Geraint O’Driscoll features at half-back in partnership with Ryan James and Elliot Frewen has returned from Wales Sevens duty to join Jon Morris on the wing
The two clubs have a long tradition that stretches back to their first meeting on 15 March, 1879 at Rodney Parade. That fixture was a rather contentious ‘play-off final’ for the South Wales Challenge Cup after Newport had already beaten Cardiff to retain the title.
The Black & Ambers ran out convincing winners on that occasion, by two goals, three tries and six or seven touches down to nil, and then made their first trip to The Gnoll on 25 February, 1882. The two teams met again in the 1885 South Wales Challenge Cup final, with Newport triumphing by a try to nil in Cardiff.
Neath have a settled look about them and Llewellyn has picked exactly the same side that beat Cross Keys 33-13 to win a place in the final. Th only change to their matchday 23 is on the bench, where Ryan Thomas comes in for Callum Jones.
“We all know we must perform – team and bench. The boys put in a strong performance last week against a tough Cross Keys side and we know that Newport will be just as demanding,” said Neath skipper Jordan Collier.
“They have beaten us twice this season so we want to make sure this one is ours and put down a marker for next year.”
Neath: Ed Howley; Aaron Grabham, Max Llewellyn, Matthew Pearce, Geraint Llewellyn; Gavin Evans, Chris Morgans; Ben Uphill, Sion Crocker, Geraint James, Rhys Jones, Jon Barley, Jordan Collier (captain), Charlie Davies, Leon Ward
Reps: Ifan Phillips, Neil White, Ryan Thomas, Jonny Griffiths, Aled Morris, Dan Guarneri, Iwan Evans, Kristian Corbisiero
Newport: Llywarch Ap Myrddin; Jon Morris, Tom Pascoe, Chay Smith, Elliot Frewen; Geraint O’Driscoll, Ryan James; Nick Boyce, Henry Palmer, Garin Harris, Adam Brown (captain), Dan Partridge, Rhodri Jones, Lennon Greggains, Reuben Tucker
Reps: Matt Prosser, Evan Whitson, Tom Piper, James Little, Joe Cullimore, Owen Davies, Tom Riley, Haydn Simons.
Referee: Gareth Newman
