Neath moved up to fifth in the WRU Premiership as a result of this entertaining, nip and tuck, bonus-point win at sunny Llangennech.

The All Blacks’ previous two visits to Llangennech had resulted in high-scoring, narrow victories – by 28-19 and 33-30 – and this game provided more of the same.

Llangennech were bolstered for the occasion by a handful of young Carmarthen Quins and Llandovery players as well as Scarlets wing Callum Woolley while Neath made three changes to the side which started the previous week’s win over Bedwas.

Receiving the kick-off Neath made a splendid start, keeping possession and working their way through the phases up-field where centre Sam Harris spotted a gap and raced over for the opening try at the posts which outside-half Steff Williams converted to make it 7-nil to the visitors.

But Llangennech levelled on 10 minutes when centre Josh Edwards capitalised on a chip through to score and outside-half Osian Evans added the conversion before putting the home side in front with a penalty.

A cross-kick by Evans then found right wing Callum Woolley and he slipped the ball inside to flanker Brychan Thomas who scored Llangennech’s second try, Osian Evans again converting and Neath were 7-17 down.

But 20 minutes into a compelling affair, Neath got their second when lock Jacob Blackmore’s line-out take prompted a powerful drive by the forwards and hooker Kian Jones dabbed down for Steff Williams to convert and reduce the odds to 14-17.

Acting-captain Jack Powell led by example – a surging touchline charge in the first half was followed by a splendid defensive turnover in the second – and his fellow forwards were now getting into their stride, setting the pace and dominating territorially.

On the half-hour, Neath entered the home 22 again; another Blackmore take got the forwards rolling and flanker Will Pope was on hand to get his first try. It was Neath’s third of the afternoon and Steff Williams once more did the honours to give Neath the lead again – an advantage they held until the interval.

Half-time – Llangennech 17 points Neath 21 points

The first major play of the second-half had Llangennech swinging the ball wide towards danger-man Woolley and Neath full-back Iestyn Morgan was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock on – correctly awarded by referee Mr. Ricky Rosser (Birchgrove) who enjoyed a solid Premiership debut.

Llangennech chucked the kitchen sink at Neath but the situation was relieved by turnover and a mighty touch kick by Steff Williams. Both sides’ defences held good making any addition to the scoreboard elusive and there were but 10 minutes remaining when the next score arrived.

It went to the home side – ironically after Neath were attacking near the Llangennech try-line. A quickly-taken tap penalty was held up on the left, Neath challenged strongly through their forwards who mauled right then play switched left again in search of the match-winning score.

But Sam Harris’ long pass was picked off by Scarlet wing Woolley who sped the length of the field for a try which Evans converted and suddenly Neath found themselves 21-24 down.

However, these All Blacks are nothing if not resilient and they ploughed onto the attack again with replacement prop Mason Morgan lending his weight to some massive scrums in the Llangennech 22.

Llangennech fought hard to keep Neath out but the All Blacks were not to be denied and, forcing another close-range line-out, the replacements took a vital hand.

Rhys Barrow’s take was followed by another strong surge and hooker Sion Jones came up with the ball for the fourth try which Paul Short converted and there was no way back for Llangennech as Neath pegged them back into their 22 until the final whistle.

It was a brighter performance by Neath who now need to maintain this improvement next Saturday when they travel to fourth-placed Newbridge with their eyes on the prize as they seek to overturn the 3-point deficit at the top of the table.

LLANGENNECH – L Davies; C Woolley, J Edwards, A Owen (J Wilcox), H Button; O Evans, T Rogers (G George);  I Jones (B Lee), C Jenkins (L Jones), L Walters (G R Williams);  H Holden, F Cooke (R Owen); B Thomas, J Saunders, S Edwards (capt) (T Curry)

NEATH – I Morgan; M Meaclem, W Hepher, S Harris, W Wood; S Williams (P Short), C Tantum; J Powell (capt) (M Morgan), K Jones (S Jones), M Lovell; J Blackmore, M Davies; W Pope (Mason Hughes), C Williams (R Barrow), G Tremlett

Referee – Mr R Rosser (Birchgrove)

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