Bridgend 20 Neath 17 - Match Review

OSPREYS wing Richard Mustoe plotted the downfall of colleagues Neath in a Welsh Premiership encounter that failed to get out of first gear.

Bridgend-product Mustoe, who headed for Ospreyland last summer following the demise of Celtic Warriors, crossed for a controversial try in the 50th minute.

The table-topping Welsh All Blacks felt the try-scoring pass from full-back Anthony Carter to Mustoe was forward, but Llandough referee Barrie Gregory ruled it good.

Neath coach Rowland Phillips was upset by that decision and also by countless others.

"Everyone can relate to a bad day in the office, and I felt Barrie Gregory had one in allowing Bridgend to slow the game down," said Phillips.

He continued, "I realise referees are part and parcel of the game - and we cannot do without them - but far too many key decisions went against us. "The ruck area became a shambles; we had players taken out at line-outs, not to mention the crucial decision allowing the Bridgend try to stand."

But in the Bridgend camp there was sheer delight in securing only a fifth league win over Neath in 30 starts dating back to 1990.

"The boys were superb, and, in a tight situation, team spirit pulled us through," said Bridgend coach Chris Stephens.

Bridgend have been going great guns since November, losing just once in 14 league outings, with this win over Neath proving the most significant.

They are becoming a major force on the circuit, and next season they have Tongan full-back Josh Taumalolo returning from Zurich Premiership club Sale Sharks. The deal, brokered by Bridgend owner Leighton Samuel, will also involve him in meeting the overheads of the Ravens at the Brewery Field.

Bridgend are also some way down the road to setting up a consortium - headed by Bridgend-born Chris Wilson of EDS Digital Systems - to meet the remainder of their costs.

"Josh Taumalolo will be working with Leighton Samuel at Decor Frame and playing for Bridgend while a three-year business plan and budgets are currently being drawn up," confirmed Bridgend chairman Derrick King. He added, "Although more backers are still required, we are hopeful of making an announcement in the near future."

Bridgend Blue Bulls rugby league star Grant Epton triggered home celebrations on the strength of a 79th-minute winning penalty.

In a stop-start game, the All Blacks exploited an early mix-up between their former fly-half Paul Williams and centre Chris Tossell, resulting in fly-half Shaun Connor crossing for a try that took him past 1,000 league

points.

Connor and Epton went on to complete first-half penalty hat-tricks with Neath leading 14-9 at the break.

Connor landed a fourth penalty on the restart ahead of the Mustoe try that led to Neath's black night. Epton squared matters on 17-17 with a fourth successful penalty - and his aim also proved true near the end when he condemned Neath to a fourth league defeat of the season.

Bridgend		(9)20-17(14)		Neath	FT
Tries: Mustoe				Tries: Connor
Pens: Epton 5				Pens: Connor 4

Welsh Premiership April 04, 2005
		P	W	D	L	PTS
1	Neath	26	22	0	4	66
2	Newport	27	21	0	6	60
3	Bridgend	27	19	0	8	54
4	Llanelli	28	17	0	11	51
5	Cross Keys	27	17	0	10	51
6	Carmarthen	25	16	1	8	49
7	Swansea	27	15	2	10	47
8	Pontypridd	27	14	1	12	43
9	Cardiff	26	13	0	13	39
10	Aberavon	25	13	0	12	39
11	Pontypool	28	11	1	16	34
12	Bedwas	26	11	0	15	33
13	Ebbw Vale	27	12	0	15	33
14	Llandovery	27	9	0	18	27
15	Caerphilly	28	6	0	22	18
16	Llanharan	28	4	1	23	13
17	Newbridge	25	4	0	21	9