Sport In Profile UK Issue 01 | Page 50

NEATH NEATH Neath RFC is based at The John Smith’s Gnoll on Gnoll Park Road and they currently compete in the Principality Premiership. They are led by Chairman Geraint Hawkes who is supported by Secretary Mike Price and the club is looking to progress under their guidance. They have a proud history with a number of players having excelled for the club. Lee Jarvis holds the record for having scored the most points in a season with 439 in 2001/02 with Shaun Connor some distance behind him with 261 points in 2nd place. Harvey Thomas holds the club record for most points in a game having racked up 40 against Llandovery. Pat Horgan also produced a memorable display against Newport when he contributed 30. The current group of players will be keen to add their names to the team’s history over the coming years. Their first team did not perhaps enjoy the campaign that they would have liked this time around having compiled a record of 6 wins and 16 defeats from their 22 matches. This saw them finish near the bottom of the table with 33 points on the board. 50 ISSUE 01 Following the end of the season they have worked hard during the summer to ensure that they are able to improve the results that they gain. They will now be keen to get off to a good start in order to build some momentum and confidence and so long as they are able to do this they should be able to claim a higher league finish. One of the positives to take from their performances last season was the attacking brand of rugby that they managed to produce. This was reflected by the fact that they managed to outscore many of the team’s around them in the table. “Although Neath endured a disappointing campaign last time out the work that they have done over the off-season should stand them in good stead for an improved year.”