Neath had only themselves to blame for not winning this game at Pandy Park where, following the late withdrawal of ace-leaper Matthew Davies, their line-out badly misfired and at least half a dozen attacking opportunities went abegging.

The All Blacks’ profligacy allowed obdurate Keys to stay in the contest and eventually come out on top of a keenly fought affair with the result in doubt until the end.

Playing up the famed Keys slope, Neath soon got to work and winger Morgan Meaclem got away after a neat build-up for the first try and outside-half Paul Short converted.

Keys hit back with a try for wing Joel Garcia but Neath secured a succession of attacking positions and their strong mauling led to a try by hooker Sion Jones. The importance of effective line-out drill was emphasised when the visitors earned a penalty try as referee Mr. Paddy Bateman finally lost patience with home offenders.

Debut-making wing Joel Garcia got a second home try before half-time but Neath’s wastefulness was the topic on away supporters’ lips during the interval when the visitors led 19-10 – it really should have been more as Keys had spent three-quarters of the half with 14 men after a spate of yellow cards as they resorted to clear illegalities to frustrate Neath attacks.

Half-time – Cross Keys 10 points, Neath 19 points

Now going downhill but into the breeze, Neath allowed Keys right back into the game with a try by lock Colin Johnsey which full back Eamon Rees converted before the All Blacks responded with a second try for Sion Jones.

However Keys levelled with a try by centre Tom Sullivan which Rees converted for 24-24  and Neath were punished again when Paul Short had a kick charged down allowing wing Ioan Duggan to race clear for Keys’ fifth try.

The hungry home side could now scent victory and Rees edged them a score clear with a penalty. Neath went back on the attack and might have been awarded a second penalty try but the referee ruled penalty only and it was somehow inevitable that Neath would mess up the consequent line-out.

The All Blacks retrieved a second bonus point when Paul Short kicked a late penalty but Neath made no further dent and really it was a case of three points dropped but full credit to Keys whose sheer ‘stickability’ deservedly won the day.

CROSS KEYS – E Rees; I Duggan, D Thomas, T Sullivan, J Garcia; M Cusack, T Bridge; T Pescud, N Huish, T Burnham; C Johnsey, J Verrier; K Molitika, M Heathman, A Johnson Repl –

E Burrows R Cornock M Hall V Amrose E Green D Davies J Malson K Vodden

NEATH – S Williams (R Callaghan); M Meaclem, S Wilcox (L Davies), S Harris, L Barron; P Short, D Jones (R Jones); M Morgan (B Uphill), S Jones (K Jones), M Lovell (capt) (K Harris); B Thomas, J Blackmore; R Barrow, W Pope (M Hughes), G Tremlett

Referee – Mr P Bateman (Senghenydd)

Images courtesy of Len Kowalski:   www.lensworkphotography.co.uk