Recap

Neath gained their fourth win of the season against seventh-placed Bedwas

The Welsh All Blacks dominated the game and led 15-nil going into the last ten minutes whereupon Bedwas suddenly woke up and added two late converted tries making for a nail biting finish with just a one point difference.

Neath fly-half, Dai Langdon put the first points on the board with a penalty only one minute into the game as Neath tore into their opponents with relish. Neath extended their advantage when No.8 Steffan Jones crossed the line after a massive team effort and Langdon successfully converted to make it 10-nil in as many minutes.

When another Langdon penalty attempt hit the posts, Alec Jenkins collected the rebound and took the ball over the line but Bedwas managed to get under it and forced a 5 metre scrum.

Bedwas fought their way out but most of the game was played deep within Bedwas’ half but the action was cut short due to an injury to Neath winger Jamie Davies. A long delay prompted the referee to blow for half-time which was extended whilst the ambulance arrived.

The interval score was 10-nil to the hosts and Langdon soon had the opportunity to increase their lead but the simple kick was missed.

Neath prop Aaron Coundley received a yellow card putting the home side under pressure but another yellow card was shown to Bedwas replacement hooker Richard Wilkes and Neath struck as Ashley Evans crossed the white-wash but Langdon failed to convert at 15-nil. With only ten minutes left on the clock, Bedwas showed some fight as they closed the gap with a penalty try which Richard Powell converted. This was closely followed by a Josh Walker try and converted once more by Richard Powell providing a nail-biting finale as the score read 15-14.

But the Welsh All Blacks comfortably retained possession and kept their discipline to pull off their fourth win of the season and climb the table to ninth position.

Captain Lee Beach said, “It was good to get a result and obviously it was much needed. It means we can move up the table and we can build from here.”