Brave Tonmawr foiled right on time

Feb 18 2008 by Phil Blanche, Western Mail

Tonmawr 20-20 Neath

DIVISION One West leaders Tonmawr pulled off the performance of the round in giving four-times cup winners Neath the fright of their lives.

A crowd of around 2,500 turned out to see the Blacks only make progress on the back of superior try count.

With just 10 minutes remaining, Neath were 20-10 in arrears and in danger of bowing out.

But two tries in three minutes from flanker James Merriman and wing Matthew Nuthall spared their blushes.

Neath refused a simple late penalty, opting to kick the ball dead instead of going for a possible 23-20 scoreline.

Their fear came from an earlier instance that saw fly-half Howard Thomas hit a post with a penalty.

It resulted in former Neath captain and full-back Gareth Morris scoring a 63rd-minute try at the other end.

“Our name was already in the hat for the next round so there was no point in tempting fate,” said Neath head coach Rowland Phillips.

“In the end it was Premiership class that pulled us through, but, in fairness to Tonmawr, they played well.”

“We showed against arguably the best side in the top flight that we are up to Premiership standard,” said Tonmawr chief Jason Hyatt.

Neath flanker Dean Fitzgerald was sent off after the game ended for arguing with referee Phil Connett.

Tonmawr: Tries – G Morris (2); cons – A Howells (2); pens – A Howells (2)

Neath: Tries – M Nuthall (2), J Merriman; con – A Thomas; pen – A Thomas