A surprisingly open game on a heavy pitch saw Neath score 7 tries to 3 for a high-scoring, entertaining 47-25 win over Cross Keys at Pandy Park.

Neath made half a dozen changes from the team which beat Pontypridd the previous week. Flanker Gethin Tremlett was honoured with the captaincy for the first time and young Cwmavon centre Tailor Hayden came in for his first start. Cross Keys fielded several Dragons Academy prospects and their front row included Richard Cornock who has a remarkable 425 games under his belt.

After a respectful minute’s silence for national remembrance, Neath kicked off with slope advantage and, showing positive enterprise, took the lead after 10 minutes through a try by ever-alert scrum-half Jacob Daniel who ran a good inside line to bag his first try for Neath after sharp passing by wings Jon Bayliss and Morgan Meaclem and centre Sam Harris and outside-half Paul Short added the conversion points.

But 7-nil rapidly became 7-7 when Keys’ picked off a loose pass and scrum-half Tom Bridge scarpered over for a fine try which outside-half Josh Malsom converted. Neath regained the lead when clever work by Paul Short and Jon Bayliss led to Sam Harris crossing midway through the half to restore the lead, Paul Short converting for 14-7.

Despite the unfortunate loss of centre Tailor Hayden who had been enjoying a sound game, Neath seemed to be building into the game. A series of awesome drives by the All Black forwards with props Mason Morgan and Marley Lovell getting through a lot of heavy work made huge inroads into the Keys ranks; Neath’s surging mauls were making 20 metres a time and should have produced better on the scoreboard but Keys’ adventure, often inspired by full back Joe Salter, saw them drag themselves ahead 19-14 at the interval.

Exceptional handling by the young home backs – and, it must be said, some negligent defending by Neath – produced two eye-pleasing tries : first winger Ralph Miller crossed after Keys came from their own half, then the excellent support-running of scrum-half Tom Bridge brought him a second albeit after a somewhat fortunate ‘knee-volley’ in midfield. Josh Malsom converted the latter and the All Blacks trailed at half-time.

Half-time – Cross Keys 19 points, Neath 14 points

With the slope now against them, Neath literally had a hill to climb in the second-half when regular skipper Ben Williams emerged as a centre replacement for previous centre replacement young Ethan Bolche.

Neath’s prospects dimmed when they were caught off-side and Malsom kicked a penalty to make it 22-14 but the All Blacks got straight back into contention when towering lock Matthew Davies won a line-out on the right and, with referee Mr. Lucas Yendle playing a good advantage, full back Iestyn Morgan cut a great line to cross at the posts for a try after a lovely floated pass by Paul Short who converted and it was 21-22.

Keys felt the squeeze – forced to defend desperately they were coming under increasing pressure from the All Blacks’ pack who had noticeably upped their effort. Conceding penalties rather than allow the eager Neath side quick possession, Keys paid the due penalty when flanker Ryan Jones was sin-binned – others were lucky not to follow.

It was good, effective stuff from Neath to get back in front when an unstoppable line-out drive saw hard-working lock Josh Hughes get the reward with his first try for Neath which ensured the bonus-point at 26-22 before Malsom landed his second penalty for 26-25.

The Neath forwards had their tails up and another crushing forward drive by the Neath eight produced a fifth try by hooker Kian Jones (whose accurate throwing-in was a boon as he repeatedly found Matthew Davies and Jacob Blackmore) and Paul Short converted for 33-25.

The try-hungry All Blacks were really turning on the forward power and Neath’s sixth try was not long in coming. The Blacks rolled on, crashing and smashing for young replacement flanker Sam Morgan to force his way over and become the day’s third player to score his first try for the Club – Paul Short goaled and it was 40-24.

Keys were still looking to create but, when Ben Williams spooked the home midfield, Neath winger Morgan Meaclem picked up the scraps and raced 60 metres to score Neath’s seventh try which Paul Short converted to underline Neath’s fightback at 47-25.

That was not the end of the action as both sides continued to play and there were chances at both ends in the last five minutes; to Keys’ credit – and Neath’s for that matter – it took some scrambling Neath defence including a line-saver by Connor Tantum to deny the home side a bonus point.

But there was no further scoring and Neath trooped off decisive winners at the final whistle. Strangely for Pandy Park, both sides did most of their scoring up the slope as Neath overcame a patchy first-half and instilled the necessary drive and energy to take the honours in the second.

** Neath now turn their attentions to the anniversary celebration game against The Fijians at The Gnoll on Saturday next with a slightly earlier kick off time of 2.00pm.

Neath RFC season tickets ARE VALID for this game, otherwise admission is £10 (Adults) and accompanied Under-16’s are free. Hospitality has already sold out – early arrival at the turnstiles is advised for a great chance to see overseas opponents in action at Neath.

CROSS KEYS – J Salter; R Miller, I Penry, D Thomas (capt), H Dawes; J Malson, T Bridge (L Stevens); J Wisniewski (E Passmore), N Huish (D Jones), R Cornock (T Burnham); L Daniel, K Lewis; A Johnson, W Morgan, Ryan Jones (S Davies)  (M Heathman)

NEATH – I Morgan; M Meaclem, T J Hayden (E Bolche) (B Williams), S Harris, J Bayliss; P Short, J Daniel (C Tantum); M Morgan (O Watts), K Jones (T Richards), M Lovell (T Dabeh); J Hughes, M Davies; J Blackmore (C Williams), S Lewis, G Tremlett (capt) (S Morgan)

Referee – Mr. L Yendle (Nelson)

** Neath RFC’s sympathy and condolences go to everyone at Cross Keys RFC and the family of their former back row forward Geraint Gladwyn who has passed away.

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