Paul Short converted a last-minute try by hooker Sion Jones to rescue victory for Neath in a 10-try thriller after Beddau had hit back strongly to overturn the All Blacks’ first-half charge.

This was the third time in four for a Neath-Beddau fixture to be decided by a last-minute kick (there was only 3 points between the sides in the fourth clash too) as these two fine teams served up their usual cliff-hanger.

Neath had much the better of the first-half and took an early lead when centre Sam Harris charged down a kick, re-gathered and scored himself to make it 5-nil. The All Blacks scored again when winger Morgan Meaclem crossed after grand work by the forwards in a patient build-up and Paul Short’s conversion made it 12-nil

The home side were veritably bubbling and they added a third try when winger Lachlan Barron went over and the fourth looked on the cards when full back Steff Williams broke through but did not find supporting scrum-half Dion Jones.

Paul Short stepped up to land a penalty and it was 20-nil to Neath before Beddau hit back with a try by scrum-half Callaghan Smith who was allowed far too much laxity around the tackle area all afternoon. He converted himself and it was 20-7 after a hectic first quarter.

Two poor kicks thwarted Neath’s attempt to regain attacking ground before more good work by the forwards brought Neath a bonus-point fourth try, the scorer being prop Mason Morgan and Paul Short kicked the conversion.

But, as is their habit, Neath gave away a score on the stroke of half-time – a second try to flanker Sam Gibson and Smith’s conversion meant that the visitors were down but not out.

Half-time – Neath 27 points Beddau 14 points.

Beddau were far from out actually as they came out determined to right their first-half deficit and proceeded to rule the roost after half-time. That man Smith got them going when he converted his second try and, when full back Cody Baker scored a magnificent try, the Beddau No.9 converted to overturn Neath’s lead at 27-28.

Neath’s switch-off got even worse, conceding a series of penalties which kept them penned into their half and it was no surprise when big wing Iwan Griffith added a fifth try for the visitors. Fortunately for Neath, the conversion from wide out failed to make the posts so it was 27-33 and the game was still live.

To their credit, Neath dug deep, recovered some of their first-half poise and dominated the last 10 minutes. Now Beddau were back on the defensive and their increasingly desperate resistance cost them two yellow cards and they could have conceded another when Barron was halted a little high in the left corner.

Still Neath kept up the onslaught, applied the squeeze and in the very last minute, with the home crowd calling for a penalty try, hooker Sion Jones dabbed down for Neath’s fifth try.

It was still down to Paul Short to hold his nerve for the match-winning conversion which he did as Neath recovered a win.

Of course, there was sympathy for Beddau who played their part in a splendid display of entertaining rugby – well marshalled by referee Mr Lloyd Edwards – and, having lost the game a year earlier to a last-minute kick, Neath knew how they felt.

Neath now move on to Pontypridd who have enjoyed three narrow wins of their own this season.

NEATH – S Williams; M Meaclem, L Hawkes (L Davies), S Harris, L Barron; P Short, D Jones (C Tantum); M Morgan (J Powell), S Jones (M Hughes), M Lovell (capt) (K Harris); J Phillips (B Thomas), M Davies; W Pope (C Williams), J Evans, G Tremlett

BEDDAU – C Baker; E Roberts, A Ashford, S Edwards, I Griffith; O Wilde, C Smith; C Phillips, J Page, S Bixby; L Alexander, L Evans (capt); N Mason, S Tiley, S Gibson Repl. A Hayman, I Leyshon, J Williams, L James, B Stephens, G Powell, M Burgess, J Little

Referee – Mr L Edwards (WRU)

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