The All Blacks out-muscled Caerphilly and romped to a well-deserved Konica Minolta Cup win at the Millennium Stadium.
Winger Kevin James scored twice in front of a small crowd as Neath took a hard-fought 12-6 lead at the break before romping to a 23-point victory on the back of a powerful forward effort.
Caerphilly gave as good as they got in the opening exchanges, but yellow cards to forwards Geraint Liddon and Tyron Morris either side of halftime gave Neath the space to steal a match-winning lead.
Matthew Jones had an early chance to give Neath the lead, but the 20-year-old fly-half sent his close-range penalty attempt nervously wide.
All Black fans weren’t disappointed for long as their side opened the scoring with a slick try in the corner. Neath won possession from a maul 20 metres from their opponents’ line and quick hands gave winger James the space to score the game’s opening try.
Caerphilly postman Stuart Thomas delivered his side’s first points with a penalty goal from point-blank range, and Neath were hit further when Gareth Morris was yellow-carded. The talented fullback had appeared three times in a thrilling 60-metre move, but lashed out after being scragged by thecollar and referee Nigel Whitehouse pointed to the sin-bin.
The All Blacks ignored the one-man deficit and extended their lead when the pack powered over the try-line after a patient buildup. Prop Andrew Howell emerged from the pile of bodies with the ball and Jones gave his side a 12-3 lead with the conversion.
Thomas’ second penalty goal was marred by loss of prop Liddon to the sin-bin for a late charge on youngster Jones. Liddon was joined by flanker Morris in the opening moments of the second half, and Jones slotted the penalty goal to extend Neath’s lead.
They put the result beyond doubt when Jones provided a looping cut-out pass to give James his second try.
Centre Mike Jones was the next man over the line as the Neath pack took control of the match, with man of the match Matthew Jones turning a hard-fought match into a rout with Neath’s fifth try.
Caerphilly No 8 and skipper Andrew Williams – the hardest-working man on the pitch – had the final say of the match with a well-deserved try near the uprights.
Neath: Tries – K James 2, A Howell, Mike Jones, Matthew Jones; Pen – Matthew Jones; Cons – Matthew Jones 4. Caerphilly: Try – A Williams; Pens – S Thomas 2; Con – S Thomas.
Halftime: Neath 12-6.
Yellow cards: G Morris (Neath), G Liddon (Caerphilly), T Morris (Caerphilly)
Referee: Nigel Whitehouse
