Neath powered their way into the Konica Minolta Cup final with a convincing win over Bridgend at the Millennium Stadium.
Neath had too much muscle up front and too many guns out wide as they sent a brave but out-classed Bridgend packing with an impressive display in front of barely 4,000 fans in the stadium.
‘It was men against boys, but the boys did very well,’ Ravens coach Richard Webster admitted. ‘I’m not disappointed with the boys at all. Our run-up to this game hasn’t been the best, but the character the young boys showed was brilliant.’
Neath coach Rowland Phillips was proud of his side’s efforts after last weekend’s disappointing loss to Premier Division leaders Newport.
‘We had a good look at ourselves after that loss and it turns out that our problems were mental,’ he said. ‘We put things right and today’s effort was pleasing.
‘When we got three scores in front, we probably stood off them a bit, but they were having a few handling problems which helped our cause.’
Neath took a match-winning 22-9 lead into the halftime break, and a clever chip from No 8 Hywel Jenkins for winger Richard Johnston to run on to and score ended the game as a contest.
The All Blacks took their feet off the throat in the final half-hour but the result was never in doubt, despite a late try to Bridgend No 8 Nathan Strong.
Bridgend: Try – N Strong; Pens – A Howells 3.
Neath: Tries – K James, H Jenkins, G Morris, R Johnston; Pen – M Jones; Cons – M Jones 3. Halftime: Neath 22-9.
Referee: Nigel Williams (Bryncoch)
