Spratt bolsters Neath hopes

Third-placed Neath will be looking to put last week's reverse at Glamorgan Wanderers firmly behind them when they entertain Cross Keys in only their second home match of the season at The Gnoll (kick off 2.30pm).

The Blacks are boosted by the return of Euros Evans at lock alongside lineout ace Neil Edwards while 20 year old flanker Craig Price gets another deserved start after two tries in the last two games.

Behind the scrum Jonathan Spratt, a Neath regular for the past five seasons, returns from The Ospreys for his 80th Neath appearance and he will undoubtedly receive rich acclaim from The Gnoll crowd after being capped by Wales on their summer tour in the aftermath of last season’s Cup Final win.

Flu forced the late withdrawal last week of former Wales full back Kevin Morgan whose defensive assuredness was badly missed in the subsequent reshuffle. He is bracketed at full back with Gareth King while scrum-half Tom James comes in for Kevin Farrell who is on the replacements’ bench which is yet to be finalised.

Head coach Patrick Horgan, said: “Our first-half defensive blunders last week were elementary and effectively knocked us out of the contest before the break although we eventually scored 4 tries to 3.

“There can be no repeat and we are looking to bounce back immediately against Cross Keys who will be bubbling after beating their arch-rivals Newport 20-8 last week when they soaked up what Newport had to offer then seized on their mistakes.

“We have a healthy respect for Cross Keys rugby and appreciate the challenge that awaits us from a good all-round team that is always well led from the front by Lloyd Burns.

“We took great support to Glamorgan Wanderers last week and every player understands that we let each other down and must do a whole lot better on Saturday.”

Neath v Cross Keys (Probable) 15 G.King/K.Morgan; 14 K.James, 13 S.Thomas, 12 J.Spratt, 11 K.Phillips; 10 G.McCarthy,
9 T.James 1 A.V.Lott, 2 A.James, 3 M.Jones; 4 E.Evans, 5 N.Edwards; 6 G.Gravell,
8 J.Bowd, 7 C.Price

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