Young Llanelli fly-half Gareth Owen kicked 21 points as his side won for the
fourth successive time at Neath in a tense Welsh/Scottish League clash.
Owen, taking the place of Welsh international Stephen Jones, enjoyed a great
day with the boot as the visitors claimed the points in dramatic fashion.
Two tries in the final three minutes ensured Llanelli bounced back from two
successive defeats, while Neath trooped off bitterly disappointed after a
lacklustre display.
In a frantic first quarter it was Neath who got off to a perfect start with a
try after just three minutes by Wales hooker Barry Williams.
But back came Llanelli with three penalties from Owen to take them into a 9-5
lead.
Neath had plenty of chances to score, but a combination of poor handling and
wrong options frustrated them time and again.
Then just before the interval Owen was shown the yellow card and fly-half Lee
Jarvis took full advantage with the successful penalty attempt to see Neath go
in at half-time 14-9 ahead.
But that advantage was short-lived as the visitors came out firing after the
break. Tries by skipper Leigh Davies and No.8 Dave Hodges ensured some daylight
between the sides, only for Jarvis to keep his side in contention with three
more successful penalties as Llanelli continued to infringe.
With 10 minutes remaining the scores were tied at 26-26, but then came that
late drama with Hodges claiming his second of the afternoon following a superb
counter attack from classy full-back Barry Davies and then a late score in
injury time from flanker Daffyd Jones.
Teams:
Neath: Connor, Tiueti, Bateman, Storey, Morris,
Jarvis,
A. Moore, D. Jones, B. Williams, Millward, Martin, Llewellyn,
Francis, Sinkinson, Bonner-Evans.
Not Used: Davies, A. Jones, K. James, Slade, P. Jones,
S. Jones, Mocelutu.
Tries: B. Williams.
Pens: Jarvis 7.
Llanelli: B. Davies, Proctor, Cardey, L. Davies, Finau,
G. Bowen, Peel, Madden, M. Thomas, J. Davies, Cooper, Gross,
Wyatt, D. Jones, Hodges.
Not Used: Booth, McBryde, C. Gillies, Morgan, Moon, S. Jones,
N. Boobyer.
Tries: L. Davies, D. Jones 2, Hodges.
Cons: G. Bowen 3.
Pens: G. Bowen 4.
Drop Goals: G. Bowen.
Att: 6,000
Ref: Paul Adams (Welsh RFU).
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook