Welsh Premiership Round 4
Friday 27th December

Colin Charvis's harsh words on his sides commitment paid dividends, as the whites weathered a second half storm from an off colour Neath side.

Although Swansea did get off to a perfect start, through a push over try from prop Ben Evans, the whites however found themselves on the back foot for most of the half.

Kevin Morgan almost added to the whites total, the full back returning from a seven month lay off. He burst on to an off load from Arwel Thomas, but was just help up before the line, his pass failed to find a white shirt, and was hacked down into the Swansea half, English wing Shaun Marsden chase did not have it's reward, thanks to covering from youngster Johnny Vaughton.

Neath began to gain confidence, and earned themselves a penalty that Jarvis failed to convert. Thomas also missed one for Swansea.

The Welsh All Blacks were denied a deserved try when, wing Marsden was pulled down by Morgan just yards short of the line. Their continued pressure was rewarded by Jarvis having another shot at goal, only for the outside half to embarrassingly pull his kick wide from almost right in-front.

The visitors were dealt a blow when hooker Barry Williams was forced off with a leg injury ten minutes before half time. Scrum half Patrick Horgan almost gave his side the lead, but agonisingly knocked the ball on with the try line insight.

Injury cruelly struck again, this time it was Jarvis who had to be replaced by Shaun Connor. Connor was almost immediately involved in sending flanker Steve Tandy over, but the open side flanker was held up over the line.

Neath's Assistant manager Rowland Phillips was guilty of killing the ball and was subsequently sin binned. The penalty given away by the 37 year old number 8, was kicked by Arwel Thomas to give the Whites a 10-0 lead with half time approaching.

Straight away Shane Williams came close to reducing the deficit, only a last gasp tackle from Arwel Thomas helped by Scott Gibbs, stopped the winger from touching down in the corner.

But Williams was not to be denied shortly after the interval, a sweeping move inside the Swansea 22, saw the ball moved out to the left, where he went cut back inside Johnny Vaughton and touched down in the corner.

One of the key turning points in the match was when Arwel Thomas was sin binned ten minutes into the half, for what was clearly a deliberate knock on to deny the All Blacks a probable score. But instead of awarding a penalty try, referee Hugh Watkins took the easy option and only gave a penalty. Connor obliged with the boot, to make the score 10-8.

Swansea coach John Connolly could have kept patience with Thomas, but swiftly acted to bring on Gavin Henson at outside half. The 21 year old, already capped at national level has disappointed mostly this season, notably being sent off for throwing Garan Evans into the advertising hoardings in the derby clash against Llanelli at Stradey Park.

Connor sent his side into the lead for the first time with a penalty, but that would be short lived as Henson danced and then powered over the line leaving Neath defenders sprawling, good build up play from the White's forwards had given him space to attack the line, to make it 17-10.

Neath attacked with only a try being the difference, but Henson increased the difference with 10 minutes remaining. Connor struck back with another penalty.

Henson made it his match, with a superb long distance drop goal to make it 24-13, and that was how it was to finish.

Impressive performances from youngsters were an added bonus, number 8 James Bater, winger Johnny Vaughton, hooker Christian Balshen and lock Andrew Farley.

©Match Report original & exclusive content to Red Dragon Rugby
 

Both Neath and Swansea have matches on Monday. The All Blacks host Ponty with kick off at 2.30, how seriously they take the game is anyone's guess with their big Celtic semi final against Cardiff next Saturday. The Whites travel to the Brewery Field, to face an on form Bridgend side, with kick off at seven o'clock.