Neath are the Welsh club to reach the semi-final of the Celtic League after
notching up a narrow but deserved win over Pontypridd at Sardis Road.
Neath's trump card was former Pontypridd outside-half Lee Jarvis who came on
as a replacement to hit over two crucial penalties.
In a keenly-contested first half where both sides battled hard to take
complete control, Ponty went on the attack from the kick off and in the fourth
minute Neil Jenkins put the hosts ahead with a 48-metre penalty after Neath were
caught offside at a ruck.
With Ponty having the better of the exchanges they kept up the pressure and
increased their lead with a second Jenkins penalty.
As the half progressed Neath came more into the game and after a series of
scrums near the Ponty line referee Iain Ramage harshly awarded Neath a penalty
try which Shaun Connor converted.
Ponty quickly returned on the attack and Neil Jenkins hoisted them ahead with
another penalty.
After the interval Ponty suffered a major blow, centre Jonathan Bryant injured
and replaced by Shaun James.
They also replaced Dale McIntosh with Brent Cockbain.
In the 53rd minute Lee Jarvis came on for Shaun Connor while Geraint Lewis
replaced Michael Owen at number eight for Ponty.
In the 58th minute Neil Jenkins increased Ponty's lead with a 40-metre
penalty. Jenkins was then replaced at outside-half by Ceri Sweeney.
In the closing stages Lee Jarvis cut the deficit to two points with an easy
penalty and in the 76th minute he struck again with a 39-metre goal to edge
Neath in front - and it proved decisive.
Teams:
Pontypridd: Davey, Wyatt, J. Lewis, Bryant, E. Lewis,
N. Jenkins, Baber, G. Jenkins, Davies, Bell, McIntosh, Sidoli,
Kelly, Parks, Owen.
Not Used: John, Sweeney, S. James, M. Rees, Hennessey,
Cockbain, G. Lewis.
Pens: G. Jenkins 4.
Neath: Durston, G. Morris, Storey,
Tiueti, S. Williams,
S. Connor, A. Moore, D. Jones, B. Williams, A. Jones,
A. Newman, G. Llewellyn, Jenkins, Sinkinson, Bonner-Evans.
Not Used: A. Bateman, Jarvis, Tandy, S. Jones, L. Bateman,
Mocelutu, Millward.
Tries: Penalty.
Cons: S. Connor.
Pens: Jarvis 2.
Att: 6,000
Ref: Ian Ramage (Scotland).
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