Neath completed their preparations for the league season with an entertaining 9 tries to 3 victory over the visiting Fijians at The Gnoll. 

Thundery showers gave way to bright, warm sunshine for a relaxed four-figure crowd as, following a musical interlude provided by the Neath Air Cadets, the two teams lined up for the anthems and a minute’s applause in memory of Sir Billy Boston and Neath’s former Hon. Medical Officer Dr. Bryn John.

The Fijians side this year comprised players who mainly ply their trade in England and they put up a brave fight throughout but yielded to Neath’s superior team-work.

Neath were soon into their stride and slick handling led to a try by winger Llewellyn Hawkes which Paul Short converted. They soon doubled the score as the pack profited from Rhys Barrow’s line-out take, to roll back the visitors and hooker Kian Jones struck, Paul Short adding the points superbly from wide out again for 14-nil.

The Fijians showed their paces with some flashing break-outs by their rampaging back-rowers and Neath had their work cut out in defence before winger Morgam Meaclem nipped in to steal a Fiji pass for Neath’s third try which Paul Short goaled.

On the half hour, scrum-half Connor Tantum, doing what a good scrum-half does, ran a great support line for try number four and this time Steff Williams stepped up to convert. At 28-nil, it looked plain sailing for Neath.

But, in the lead up to half-time, The Fijians enjoyed their most productive period and struck back through tries by No. 8 Macia Dauiba converted by outside-half Tui Bai and then flanker Tamien Rokocko who pounced for a second from a line-out.

Half-time – Neath 28 points, The Fijians 12 points

The appreciative crowd were entertained at half-time by two Fijian dancers as the holiday atmosphere pervaded and Neath opened the second-half with a second try by Connor Tantum after a break by Steff Williams and Paul Short’s conversion made it 35-12.

The Neath scrum-half was then replaced by the lively young Dion Jones who made an instant impression by crossing for the next two tries before being crunched in an all-embracing South Seas tackle which had the crowd fearing for his safety. Paul Short added his fifth conversion to the former effort and Neath were soaring.

Flanker Jordan Evans was heavily involved in the build-up to Neath’s eighth try which was finished with aplomb by replacement Lochie Barron and another replacement Ryan Callaghan converted before the biggest cheer of the day greeted Fiji’s third following an impressive surge by lock forward  Maurice Budroma and it was 54-17.

Jacob Blackmore’s line-out work paved the way for Neath’s finale, a ninth try of the afternoon scored by Ryan Callaghan who added the conversion points himself before referee Mr. Jack Davies (Porthcawl) who relished a free-running affair, called time.

Neath open their league season on Saturday next at home to Llanelli Wanderers (kick off 2.30pm) – that will be an entirely different affair from The Fijians.

But, even in the modern game, there is a value in games like this. It was slightly less intense assuredly but one in which running and handling skills – oft over-looked – come to the fore.

The Fijians, despite the defeat, enjoyed their weekend in Wales and Neath RFC enjoyed hosting them again. The Club is grateful in particular to the Castle Hotel and Tesco’s (Neath) for their contribution to making another happy memory of South Seas rugby. 

NEATH – S Williams; L Hawkes, S Harris, S Wilcox, M Meaclem; P Short, C Tantum;  L Jones, K Jones, M Lovell; J Phillips, M Davies; R Barrow, B Williams (capt), J Evans 

Replacements – I Morgan, K Morgan, L Barron, K Charles, R Callaghan, D Jones, M Morgan, M Hughes, K Harris, J Hughes, J Blackmore, S Minto, G Tremlett

THE FIJIANS – I Matea; D Sunati, T Wara, V Saki, B Wara; T Bai, M Volaikisova; T Sokia, B Sharples, P Kawa; M Buadroma, P Dakuwamatal, T Rokocoko, M Dauiba, M Hoyt   Repl. – C Titoko, J Koroitamana, J Kasawai, Z Rodan  

Referee – Mr. J Davies (Porthcawl)

MATCHDAY IMAGES
Courtesy of Rhodri Phillips and Mike Bray of NEATH CAMERA CLUB.