Neath 8 v 36 Whites
24 Apr 2009 - St Helens
Swansea gained the perfect revenge for last week’s semi-final defeat with an outstanding bonus point victory over Neath. It was without doubt the Whites’ best performance of the season as they responded to Ian Jones’ pre-match challenge to put together a full 80 minutes of positive rugby. The home side dominated throughout and the Welsh All Blacks were restricted to few attacking opportunities.
When Damian Karauna chipped out on the full from the kick off and the Whites’ pack committed a scrummaging infringement, it looked as if it would be the same old story for the St Helen’s side in matches against Neath. Former Swansea hero Arwel Thomas was successful with the penalty from half way. The home side were determined not to allow the Gnoll men to dominate and a superb break out of defence by centre Adrian Thomas, coupled with strong running by David Blyth, sent Karauna towards the line. However the Neath defence crept offside in midfield, allowing Nicky Thomas to kick three points.
The Blacks threatened again with a dangerous attack involving David Evans and Gareth King, before Euros Evans was up-ended by an excellent tackle, bringing an end to the move. Ricky Williams and Adrian Thomas set up a good attacking platform from which Karauna drew in the visitors’ defence and slid a scoring pass out to Rhys Jones. Nicky Thomas’ conversion hit the post and went over.
The Whites’ pack were guilty of diving over the top and Arwel Thomas opted to kick for touch. The visitors’ forwards drove from a lineout but accidental offside brought an end to the move.
A period of thrilling open rugby saw Chris Shelmerdine twice break clear of the Neath defence with Blyth, Nicky Thomas and Gavin Ronan providing support before Rhys Jones came close in the corner. Referee Huw David took play back for a penalty but Nicky Thomas missed an effort at goal. Soon after, David Evans showed a superb turn of pace by weaving in and out of tackles and his work should have been rewarded, only for his support to arrive too late and then lose the ball forward.
Neath began to take the upper hand in the scrum and managed to win a ball against the head that saw captain Gareth Gravell race downfield and link with Arwel Thomas to send David Evans in for a try at the corner. Arwel Thomas failed to convert. Centre Wayne Mitchell was given a warning by referee David for talking out of place but Swansea failed to make use of the penalty. Inside first half stoppage time, the Whites extended their lead to five points through a Nicky Thomas penalty after a good break by captain Sam Kiley forced the Neath defence to hold back the supporting Blyth without the ball.
Half-Time:- Swansea 13 Neath 8
Swansea began to exert their dominance on the match early in the second half after replacement Jono Stuart, Rhys Jones and Shelmerdine offloaded well in the tackle with Phillip Tucker floating a pass to send Karauna over for a try. Nicky Thomas converted. Swansea’s third try came just two minutes later after the home side secured a turnover inside their own 22 with Karauna sending Shelmerdine racing 50 yards to score. Nicky Thomas missed the conversion.
The Whites’ lead grew even further when Neath drove into a scrum illegally with Nicky Thomas kicking a 54th minute penalty. Soon after, a powerful drive forward by the Swansea pack created a good platform from which Karauna slotted over a drop goal.
Karauna and Tucker helped batten down the hatches towards the end with some exquisite touch finding kicks. The Swansea forwards almost fashioned another try after peeling off a scrum but they were held up just short of the line.
The Whites got their fourth and bonus point try with two minutes remaining after Tucker swept quick ball out of the scrum to send Rhys Jones powering over in the corner. Nicky Thomas converted.
Richard Webster and Ian Jones have repeatedly stated the Whites are capable of beating any team in the Premiership on a given day and this win, coupled with the home victory over Llanelli, typifies this. Tucker was awarded man of the match, an honour that could have been given to many in an All Whites’ shirt. Next up is a home match against Pontypool, a match that the Gwent side will need something from if they are to beat the drop.
Full-Time:- Swansea 36 Neath 8
Venue:- St Helen’s, Swansea
Weather:- Cloudy, 13C
Competition:- Principality Premiership
Referee:- Huw David
Swansea Scorers:- N. Thomas (3 Pens, 2 Cons), Rhys Jones (2 Tries), Karauna (Try, DG), Shelmerdine (Try)
Neath Scorers:- A. Thomas (Pen), D. Evans (Try)
Swansea Team:- 15 R. Williams 14 Rhys Jones 13 C. Shelmerdine (rep: J. Dixon) 12 A. Thomas (rep: J. Stuart) 11 N. Thomas 10 D. Karauna 9 P. Tucker (rep: N. Jones) 1 Roy Jones 2 O. Phillips (rep: A. Joy) 3 A. Clatworthy (rep: L. May) 4 G. Ronan 5 R. Kelly (rep: H. Alford) 6 S. Kiley 7 D. Blyth (rep: S. Jones) 8 M. Popham
By Paul Hopkins
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