WELSH PREMIERSHIP Neath (28) 56 Tries: K James, S Connor, B Williams (2), D Tiueti, P Horgan, A Durston, M Jones. Cons: Connor (5), M Jones (3). Swansea (3) 29 Tries: A Thomas (2), R Rees, G Swales. Cons: A Thomas (3). Pen: Thomas. Att: 2,500 |
The All Blacks eased to a comfortable win over their partners for next season, Swansea, at the Gnoll. Fifteen points from in-form fly-half Shaun Connor in a 100% kicking display and two tries from hooker Barry Williams helped Neath gain revenge for a shock league defeat at St Helen's earlier in the season.
New regional coach Lyn Jones saw Arwel Thomas run in two second-half tries for the Whites, but he will have been more impressed by the potential shown by some of the game youngsters in the Swansea squad.
Neath go four points clear at the top of the Welsh Premiership, but unbeaten Bridgend have four games in hand.
It took just six minutes for the All Blacks to record the opening try, quick possession being fed back from repeated batterings at the visitors' line.
The ball was spun to the right where burly winger Kevin James went in unchallenged, Connor converting well.
A sustained period of Swansea possession followed, but they had nothing to show for it as Thomas missed with two relatively straightforward penalties and a drop goal.
 Swansea showed plenty of spirit and there's a lot of talent with players like Jon Thomas |
Thomas was also at fault for Neath's second score, missing a tackle on James Storey deep in the All Blacks' half, allowing the centre to feed Connor who ran in for an easy try. More mistakes followed from the Whites, Rhodri Jones seeing his defensive box kick charged down by Patrick Horgan, Barry Williams supporting for Neath's third try.
Just two minutes later a flowing move past an increasingly disinterested defence saw Dave Tiueti under the posts, Connor landing his fourth successful conversion to make it 28-3 at the break.
The pattern continued right from the restart, Thomas delaying with his clearance kick and allowing Horgan to charge down, regather and score.
Thomas made some amends two minutes later, gathering up loose ball in centre field and shooting past Barry Williams down the touchline for a try.
The unlikely comeback continued, a crunching Steve Winn tackle winning the ball for Gareth Swales whose fine counter-attacking sent Thomas clear under the posts.
It took the home side until the 62nd minute to get back on the scoreboard, Adrian Durston finishing off an overlap wide on the left.
Barry Williams got his second try of the night, and he was followed over by young replacement fly-half Matthew Jones, who continued Connor's fine kicking form with three conversions.
Richard Rees got a consolation score after a Mark Taylor break, and a final piece of Thomas magic created the closing score for Gareth Swales.
"I'm happy with performances from some of the boys on each side," said Lyn Jones after the game.
"Swansea showed plenty of spirit and there's a lot of talent with players like Jon Thomas."
Neath: A Durston; K James, J Storey, D Tiueti, G Morris; S Connor, P Horgan; P James, B Williams, A Millward, S Martin, G Llewellyn, B Sinkinson, H Jenkins, J Ringer.
Replacements: S Marsden, M Jones, R Richards, S Jones, L Bateman, A Mocelutu, A Jones.
Swansea: G Swales; C Shelmerdine, S Winn, S Gibbs, R Rees; A Thomas, R Jones; S Pope, M White, L May, A Farley, J Griffiths, R Francis, J Thomas, D Thomas.
Replacements: S Cordingley, M Taylor, T Evans, Powell, Tonkin, I Evans, R Pugh.
Ref: N Whitehouse (WRU)
MMIX
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