NEATH made it 4 wins out of 5 after journeying to the Teifi Valley and winning an entertaining first-ever league match at Newcastle Emlyn by 8 tries to 4.

This season has already served up some picturesque outings for the All Blacks and their many supporters. And this was no exception as Newcastle Emlyn have wonderful facilities and the Dol Wiber surface was in excellent condition as a record home crowd greeted the teams.

Neath were quick out of the blocks and took the lead in the second minute when strong driving play by the forwards following a line-out saw hooker Evan Kneath cross for the opening try.

Emlyn hit back with a penalty by young outside-half Ellis Payne who revealed some neat touches throughout and the home side nearly scored again when a kick ahead saw scrum-half Ellis Lewis intervene and save in the nick of time.

The  All Blacks extended their lead when outside-half Steff Williams put winger Ryan Griffiths through, the forwards took it on and Evan Kneath bagged his second try of the afternoon.

Neath were showing positive intent and, when a Steff Williams nudge was gathered by centre Matthew Jenkins, co-centre Kieran Charles clattered towards the line where Newcastle Emlyn transgressed and conceded a penalty try which put the All Blacks well in command at 17-3.

On the half-hour mark, another run by wing Ryan Griffiths found Ellis Lewis running the classical scrum-half’s supporting line on the inside and the young Neath No.9 sped away for his first try for the Club; it was Neath’s fourth – the bonus-point clincher – and Steff Williams converted.

Gareth Lloyd, making his 100th appearance in the Neath jersey, and Mason Morgan were conspicuous as a pair of hard-working props and lock Cai Arnold, continuing his return from injury, was winning good line-out ball.

This allowed Neath to keep up the pressure and, after the forwards again hammered at the home line. Steff Williams’ inventive pass gave wing Ryan Griffiths the chance to steal in at the corner for his second try in successive games, Williams’ conversion from wide out was sublime and it was 31-3.

However, one or two cracks had begun to appear in the Neath defence and Newcastle Emlyn struck back on half-time for a richly-deserved try by skipper Emrys Davies.

Half-time – Newcastle Emlyn 8 points Neath 31 points

Neath were at it again on the resumption as the forwards continued to bombard the home line. Gareth Lloyd nearly made it over for what would have been a landmark try as the pack drove hard but it was lock Matthew Davies who finally got the touchdown for Neath’s sixth try and Steff Williams added the conversion to make it 38-8.

Ten minutes into the second-half, that man Williams intervened again, his impromptu cross-kick being calmly collected by full back Iestyn Morgan who marked his first appearance of the season by freeing replacement wing Ki Morgan who needed no second invitation to embark upon a 50 metre dash to the try-line.

That made it 43-8 but, amidst a host of injury re-shuffles and scheduled replacements, Neath took their foot off the gas, lost their way and Newcastle Emlyn took the opportunity to show that they can play a bit too.

Neath’s defensive discipline deserted them, promising young referee Mr. Lucas Yendle’s patience was tested and a couple of yellow cards blighted Neath’s efforts and, as worrying holes began to appear, impressive flanker Callum Williams and winger Llyr Jones went over in quick succession. Payne converted both and suddenly it was 43-22,

The flurry of scoring was proving a bit too much for the poor scoreboard operator who was given rudimentary arithmetic advice by some learned Neath supporters who are renowned for having been nurtured in the schools of Archimedes and Pythagoras.

Newcastle Emlyn claimed a bonus point of their own when replacement Dylan Rowe scored their fourth try. They were too far behind to spark hopes of a comeback but it was a timely reminder to Neath that switching off is not an option at this level.

Still, as if to prove that they still had something left in the tank, Neath attacked again and, after several near misses, hooker Kian Jones burrowed over for the visitors’ eighth try at the end.

In the final analysis, the All Blacks delivered on the result as early as the half-hour mark – and a bonus point away win is not to be under-estimated – but they did not deliver on overall performance and this will concern the coaches.

The injury disruptions meant that the back division was almost constantly shuffled in the second-half when a lack of defensive order led to a couple of yellow cards and left alarming gaps in Neath’s defence which the coaches will be keen to correct this week ahead of next Saturday when Ystrad Rhondda visit The Gnoll (kick off 2.30pm).

NEWCASTLE-EMLYN – B.Morgan; L.Jones, O.Knott, S.Evans, A.S.Davies; E.Payne, M.Jones (D.Jones); E.Davies (capt), D.Hey, I.Bryant; B.Hesford, G.Davies;  C.Evans, A.Williams, C.Williams Repl. I.Reece-Lewis   R.Evans  R.Morris K.Adams  D.Rowe  9 E.Thomas  A.Owens

NEATH – I.Morgan; N.Orrells (G.Richards), M.Jenkins, K.Charles (K.Morgan), R.Griffiths; S.Williams, E.Lewis (R.Cole); G.W. Lloyd (J.Powell), E.Kneath (K.Jones), M.Morgan (T.Dabeh) ; M.Davies (C.Williams), C.Arnold; J.Blackmore, B.Williams (capt) (M.Kneath), G.Tremlett

Referee – Mr. L.Yendle (Nelson)

MATCHDAY IMAGES SUPPLIED BY NEWCASTLE EMLYN, COURTESY OF SOPHIE GRENFELL and  ALED DAFIS