NEATH 20 points CARDIFF 19 points Things are beginning to stir again at The Gnoll where Neath gained a well-deserved, if narrow, win over Cardiff on Saturday. After competing hard against Bedwas and Ebbw Vale in the last fortnight, it was Neath's

NEATH 8 points EBBW VALE 14 points Another battling performance by Jordan Collier and his men; another narrow reversal – but Neath's improvement continues and the signs are that the Welsh All Blacks' fortunes are about to turn. The evidence is there

BEDWAS 31 points NEATH 25 points A thoroughly enjoyable match between two enterprising sides saw Bedwas hold off a tremendous Neath rally which just failed to produce a second win on the road this term. Neath seemed to be suffering a hangover

CROSS KEYS 48 points NEATH 3 points The message from this heavy defeat at Cross Keys is clear : Neath's young side must adapt quickly if they are to make any impression on the Premiership this season. There was effort and energy

NEATH 16 points RGC 30 points The loss of two key players – one a very serious leg injury to influential flanker Alun Jones – in the first five minutes marred Neath's home match against RGC who ran out deserved winners

MOSELEY 31 points NEATH 14 points Neath's lack of technical discipline cost them dear at Moseley on Saturday when they conceded no fewer than 13 first-half penalties which effectively knocked them out of the contest. Moseley, with slope and strong wind in

MAESTEG 5 points NEATH 45 points Neath opened their pre-season warm-up programme with an encouraging 7-try win at Maesteg who were celebrating the official re-opening of their splendid new clubhouse three years to the day that their old one was burnt

NICKY'S NIGHT OF NEATH NOSTALGIA Retiring captain Nicky Downs drew the curtains on his career with an entertaining fixture between a Neath Select XV and a Former Players' XV, the latter taking the honours 55-41 in a 16 try romp which

At the end of an exciting season's finale at The Gnoll, just a goal-kick separated the side chasing a League play-off place from the Division's bottom side as Cross Keys shared 8 tries with Neath – and the Blacks spurned

Those who believe that patience and perseverance eventually get rewarded claim that everything comes to he who waits – and now Neath's long wait is at an end : an overdue League win at last … and a well deserved