Neath were lucky to survive this test at what is now the Stradey Park in a lively thriller to which both sides contributed plenty of spectacular rugby football whilst no doubt frustrating their coaches.

As at Newbridge the previous week, for Neath it was another 80 minutes of madness and mayhem; at the end of the day, their sheer will to win shone through as they overhauled a seemingly insurmountable deficit and pulled this one out of the fire.

Neath made just three changes from the side which started the win at Newbridge with Josh Hughes, Jacob Blackmore and Casey Williams restored to the pack while Neath Athletic’s Jordan Evans joined the replacements’ bench. Wanderers were close to full strength but lacked centres Owain Davies and Josh Batcup from their Cup side.

Neath had the advantage of a strong breeze in the first-half but, as at Newbridge, failed to use it. Wanderers lost outside-half Jonny George and ten minutes in, after an inaccurate start, Neath took the lead through a neatly-worked try by full back Morgan Meaclem.

Thereafter, the first-half was virtually one-way traffic and it was Wanderers who made the running as they played with a desire and a verve which was not apparent in the visitors.

Wayward kicking and indiscipline gave Wanderers headway and they worked their way up-field and took the lead when prop Dean Howells got their first try which centre Nick Gale, probably the best goal-kicker in the Premiership, goaled with aplomb for 5-7.

Despite having the wind behind them, Neath were struggling to put their game together. Inspired by No.8 Luca Giannini, Wanderers were making too many yards in the tackle and Neath errors abounded forcing scrum-half Kaden Davies in particular to work overtime in defence.

Neath’s scrum was on top but their laxity of approach gave Wanderers the chance to run from deep – something they did with alacrity and they fully deserved their three further first-half tries through full back Lewis Jones (2) as a reward for his fine support running and experienced scrum-half Aron Hemmings who had a sound game.

The admirable Gale converted all three as Wanderers claimed a first-half bonus point and Neath were staring down the barrel at the end of 40 minutes which did nothing for the mien of the Neath faithful.

Half-time – Llanelli Wanderers 28 points Neath 5 points

 But nobody could have predicted what would come in a second-half of utter transformation as Llanelli Wanderers imploded in the face of a much-improved Neath effort.

Oddly, both sides fared better into the wind – probably as a result of the obvious need to retain possession – and Neath hit back after good work by the forwards as teenage centre Aled Davies sent hooker Sion Jones flying across for his 15th try of the season and outside-half Steff Williams converted.

After their first-half inertia, Neath were taking the game to Wanderers who shortly afterwards incurred their first yellow-card and the All Blacks struck again off flanker Jacob Blackmore’s line-out take for a penalty try to bring it back to 19-28 and the game was right in the balance.

Neath were now imposing themselves and dominating possession – their set-piece took firm command while the emergence of fresh forward replacements Kian Jones, Steff Lewis, Jordan Evans and Gethin Tremlett gave the side added zest just as Wanderers were losing theirs.

Steff Williams and skipper Ben Williams inspired many a run out of defence and eventually Neath freed Steff Lewis on the left and he powered away to the try-line for Neath’s bonus point and it was 24-28.

Neath’s effort had perked up remarkably and the flow was now firmly with the visitors. Wanderers tried desperately to halt the tide – too desperately in fact as they forced sound referee Mr. Cai Lewis’ hand and incurred further yellow cards.

Keeping ball in hand, Neath kept up the attacks and it was little surprise when winger Jon Bayliss got the fifth touchdown to give the All Blacks the lead at 29-28.

It was a precarious advantage though as the wind meant that Wanderers only needed space and time for a goal-kick which they duly got when former Neath outside-half Rhys Harris dropped a superb, long-range, wind-driven goal – “the best dropped goal seen this season” said a kindly Neath supporter … the only one actually !

It put Wanderers back in front at 31-29 but Neath girded themselves for yet another attack and home lock Jake Baker got himself yellow-carded for the second time which equated to his second successive red.

The consequent penalty gave Neath a line-out attack and a patient, full force assault on the home line led to prop Marley Lovell crashing over for Neath’s sixth try and Steff Williams converted to make it 36-31.

The game – and Wanderers – were not yet done for two late penalties gave the home side attacking opportunities but Neath held them at bay for a remarkable comeback win in a game of eye-catching movement and some breathtaking tries.

Neath came away with a full haul from their third close win of the season over Llanelli Wanderers who are fighting for their lives and, on this evidence, should get the two wins they probably need for safety.

LLANELLI WANDERERS – L Jones; R Harris, N Gale (capt), R Morgan, L Watkins; J George (R Harris), A Hemming (S Icke); D Howells (I Williams), D Roberts (R Owen), G Havard (B Harries); J Baker, R Evans (S Phillips); B Chiffi (D Lewis), L Giannini,  L Thomas (Callum Williams)

NEATH – M Meaclem (I Morgan); J Bayliss, L Davies, A Davies, L Rees (L Hawkes); S Williams, K Davies;  M Morgan (J Jones), S Jones (K Jones), M Lovell; M Davies, J Hughes (S Lewis); J Blackmore (Jordan Evans), B Williams (capt) Casey Williams (G Tremlett)   Other Repl. (Chris Thomas)

Referee – Mr C Lewis (Swansea Valley)

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