There will be no Cup glory for Neath this season after the All Blacks slipped to this narrow defeat by the odd try in seven at Brecon.

Neath were paying their second visit of the season to Brecon having won the earlier league encounter 19-12 on September 14.

It was also Neath’s second ever Cup visit to Brecon, Martyn Davies’ centenary champions having won there 32-nil in 1972/73. Of course, times have changed since then with the introduction of regional rugby while Brecon’s lot has improved considerably, their heavy player investment meaning that they could parade Welsh international Kristian Dacey on their replacements’ bench.

Playing with the assistance of a blustery wind, Neath opened with a bang and there was barely a minute showing on Brecon’s splendid score-board clock when flanker Dan Watkins won clean line-out ball, his co-forwards took it on and centre Keiran Charles barged over for a try at the posts.

Steff Williams converted to make it 7-nil before a Williams-James Dixon penalty exchange made it 10-3 and another closely-fought affair was developing when Brecon forced their way up-field and levelled with a well-worked try by centre Tom Davies which outside-half Dixon converted.

Midway through the half, Neath struck again when prop Elis Hopkins charged, his forwards supported quickly and skipper and No.8 Ben Williams crashed over. Steff Williams banged over the conversion, rattling an upright to stretch Neath’s lead to 17-10.

But Brecon were having plenty of the game with ex-regional scrum-half Lewis Jones a key man and they hit back with a second try of their own. It came from a line-out drive – Neath seemed to have held them up twice but play continued and eventually flanker Matthew Williams dabbed down to bring it back to 17-15.

The key incident in this game came two minutes before half-time; it is too much to say that the game hinged on it … but it certainly made a big difference.

Brecon were on the attack and were halted in midfield where Neath centre Rhodri Wall suffered a knee injury which led to him being stretchered off. Worse still for the All Blacks, outside-half Steff Williams was yellow-carded apparently for playing the ball on the floor … strangely, after it had been knocked on.

Brecon took instant advantage of Neath’s disorganisation and winger Sam Jones raced away for their third try to give them a crucial half-time lead with wind advantage to come.

Half-time – Brecon 20 points Neath 17 points

Resuming with 14-men, Neath were  immediately up against it as Brecon took full advantage of an under-manned defence and a devilish bounce of the ball which saw the egg reverse its path straight into the hands of Brecon wing Chad Davies who raced to the try-line to extend Brecon’s lead to 25-17.

10 points for the loss of a key player and an ill-deserved yellow card ? Whatever, it edged a tight encounter Brecon’s way and virtually extinguished Neath’s Cup hopes.

The All Blacks tried desperately to make headway into the wind but were repelled and, when Brecon attacked they made sure that wind advantage counted as James Dixon landed two penalties to elongate the lead to 31-17.

Many a lesser side would have accepted their fate there and then but Neath are made of stern stuff and their fitness sees to it that they always finish strongly.

The All Blacks raised themselves once more, stormed back onto the attack and stretched the defence, working winger Ryan Griffiths into a gap and he scored Neath’s third try between the posts for Williams to convert.

At 24-31, Neath were not done as another converted try would have seen the All Blacks advance. But Brecon, boosted by hasty re-interchanges, held on for a win they deserved on the day – two games at Brecon between the sides have been settled by seven points, one in favour of each, which suggests that there is little between the two teams.

Coach Tim Ryan was annoyed that his team did not play to their potential. Neath were below their best – and did not always enjoy the rub of the green – but there could be no doubting the side’s effort and the All Blacks will be keen to make amends and must up their effort next week at Newcastle Emlyn.

BRECON – J.Newman (G.Walsh); S.Jones, T.Richards, T.Davies, C.Davies (R.Davies); J.Dixon, L.Jones (G.Workman); L.Smoult (C.Phillips), A.James (G.Clarke), A.Nicholl (O.Ford); B.Sier (K.Dacey), C.Bradbury; A.Lee (capt), L.McIntosh, M.Williams (I.Edwards)

Neath – L.Hawkes; K.Morgan, R.Wall (M.Jenkins), K.Charles, R.Griffiths; S.Williams, R.Cole (E.Lewis); M.Morgan (G.W.Lloyd), K.Jones (E.Kneath), E.Hopkins (T.Dabeh); M.Davies, C.Arnold (J.Blackmore); D.Watkins (G.Tremlett), B.Williams (capt), C.Williams (F.Kneath)

Referee – Mr. K.Young (Chepstow)

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