‘CHALKIE’ TO SET SAIL FOR RUGBY SEMIS
NEATH prop Neil “Chalkie” White is set for a weekend to remember in more ways than one. Yesterday he was on his best mate’s stag do at Butlins in Minehead.
Today he was due to jump on a specially arranged boat to get him back to The Gnoll in time for the Premiership play-off semi-final against Cross Keys.
His club coach, former Wales lock Gareth Llewellyn, will be waiting for him to dock at Cardiff Bay so he can whisk him away to the game, which kicks off at 2.30pm today.
Then it will be into front row action for the well-travelled 30-year-old, who has also had spells with Aberavon, Bonymaen, Llandovery and Swansea.
He did think he was going to miss the Tier Two semi-final because of the clash, but where there’s a will – and a boat – there’s a way.
“I wasn’t going to be here at the weekend, because I’m on my best mate Rob Jones’ stag do,” explained the loosehead.
“But fortunately that’s changed and we’ve managed to sort some unusual transport out.
“I have got a boat coming to pick me up from Minehead Butlins and drop me off in Cardiff Bay.
“Then Gareth Llewellyn is going to meet me in Cardiff Dock to bring me to The Gnoll to play.
“It is what it is, I’ve got to get back for the game because we need to get through to the final. It would be nice to win something this year with Neath.
“Cross Keys are a good team. We know what we have got to do against them to get the win.”
White will be on the bench for Neath, who secured a home semifinal by finishing second in Tier Two in the Principality Premiership courtesy of a 21-10 victory over Bridgend last weekend.
Team manager Martyn Morris said: “Our forwards really rose to the challenge and we are looking for another big effort from the team as a whole, so that there is some reward for all the efforts the squad have put in this season.
“It would be nice to give our supporters something to cheer, too, and we hope as many as possible come to The Gnoll to lend a hand.”
Neath captain Jordan Collier added: “We have come a long way from where we were last season to effectively finish joint ninth this time around.
“But we want to keep improving, and Cross Keys are a good yardstick as they have been one of the Premiership forces for a long time now.”
Neath make just one enforced change from the side which beat Bridgend, with Geraint Llewellyn replacing winger Alec Jenkins, who broke his leg in an accident at work on Monday.
Tier Two-topping Newport were victorious over Llanelli in the other semi-final, at Rodney Parade, yesterday afternoon. That means Newport will meet the winners of the NeathCross Keys clash in the final on the weekend of May 20, with the venue yet to be decided.
In the Tier One Premiership playoff semi-finals, Merthyr beat RGC 1404 yesterday, with Aberavon hosting Bedwas today.