Neath coach Pat Horgan is hoping that his side can finish their Principality Premiership season with a win this Saturday and leapfrog Cardiff in the table the process.
The two sides meet at The Gnoll (kick-off 2.30pm) and while Neath will have one eye on the SWALEC Cup Final on Saturday week, Horgan knows that it’s important to keep up the momentum as the Blacks look for an eighth place finish.
“It is probably fair to say that 2012-13 will not go down in the record books as the finest enjoyed by either Neath or Cardiff,” he said.
“Traditionally, the Cardiff fixture is always something that we look forward to and long may it remain so. The visitors have their usual mix of proven Premiership players with a sprinkling of regional experience and promising Blues’ youngsters and they beat us at the Arms Park in November.
“It has been a tough year and we want to finish our league season with a win to set us up nicely for next week’s final. We suffered a lot from injuries and that shows by our stats that 66 players have turned out for us in 2012-13. Our secretary Mike Price estimates he has had to secure over 150 permit-appearances and we are grateful to all the clubs who have helped us.”
While Horgan is obviously looking for a win this Saturday, he knows that the main aim for 2013 now is to lift the SWALEC Cup at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday 4th May.
He said: “The undoubted highlight of the season has been provided by our Cup run which saw us eliminate the holders Cross Keys, giant killers Bargoed and then Aberavon in the semi-final. Last midweek’s win over Llanelli was another high spot when a youthful Neath team put it over a play-off chasing team that was full of regional quality.
“Everyone at the club can be proud of how far we’ve come this season and we want to finish it on a high – both this Saturday against Cardiff and next week at the Millennium Stadium. We may be underdogs but our history shows that Neath canines can bite – and we can hopefully provide the supporters with plenty to cheer.”
Admission to Neath v Cardiff on Saturday is just £12 for the main stand or £10 for anywhere else in the ground. Children aged 16 and under are free of charge. Check out www.neathrugby.co.uk for more details and follow the club on http://www.facebook.com/NeathRugbyFootballClub or https://twitter.com/NeathRugby.
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