WRU Premiership champions Merthyr escaped The Gnoll after stealing a 22-19 win at Neath through a last kick penalty by Ben Jones.

After the trouncing Neath took in “the game that shall not be spoken of” at Merthyr in the final game of last season, the All Blacks could not have been handed a more difficult and imposing task than confronting the champions again first time out.

Having won at Llandovery the previous week and won last year’s premiership title, Merthyr can claim to be the best club side in Wales but the new-look All Blacks tore into them with a relish and took the game to the very last whistle.

Playing with the wind, Neath made a bold start before Merthyr gradually settled into their well-proven patterns at line-out and maul but could find no way through the Neath ranks although the home side again incurred the displeasure of the referee and gave away too many penalties.

It was not until the 18th minute that the first points were on the board, Merthyr captain and lock Paddy McBride forcing his way over to give the visitors a deserved lead with a try which outside-half Ben Jones converted.

Neath lost flanker Will Pope with an ankle injury which cut short his Premiership debut and allowed Casey Williams to emerge to play a telling role in a battling pack in which newcomers hooker Sion Jones and lock Steff Lewis caught the eye as Neath responded to the inspiring lead of skipper Ben Williams.

A powerful break by Steff Lewis – Neath need to get the ball in his hands more often –  gave Neath their best chance of the half with a strong mid-field run and lay-off but Merthyr managed to get back to repel the attack.

The All Blacks were putting in a solid shift and Merthyr were looking increasingly frustrated at not being able to find a way through the lock-tight Neath midfield defence but, on the stroke of half-time, encouraged by further penalty awards, Merthyr created room on the left for wing Jack Kathrens to cross.

Half-time – Neath nil Merthyr 12 points

With the elements to face, it was do or die for Neath and the All Blacks came out full of fire. They tore onto the attack and back of the line-out possession and maul allowed the forwards to gather and hooker Sion Jones burst over for Neath’s first try which outside-half Paul Short converted to make it 7-12.

The appreciative crowd had barely settled down when good work at the re-start by Casey Williams saw Neath launch their backs from just outside their own 22; excellent handling freed former Skewen winger Morgan Meaclem and he sped away for a second try against his old club.

Suddenly, Neath were level at 12-12 but Merthyr, though decidedly rattled, responded strongly and Neath lost both props Marley Lovell and Mason Morgan to the sin-bin forcing them onto the defensive.

This did not deter the All Blacks though as prop Tarik Dabeh entered the fray to shore up a vital scrum and they lifted the siege.

Steff Lewis was getting through a lot of good work at the lines-out and Neath turned the game on its head when replacement hooker Kian Jones went over for the home team’s third try which Paul Short converted brilliantly from wide out to make it 19-12.

Neath kept the Iron-men at bay for 10 minutes but the score was coming and eventually replacement scrum-half Dafydd Land stole over for Merthyr’s third try which Ben Jones converted to draw the teams level at 19-19.

Neath countered with a scintillating, meandering run by replacement Ki Morgan which had Merthyr defenders clutching at thin air – unfortunately for the winger, he was ankle-tapped and his pass was not held.

As the final whistle approached, Neath cleared to touch but the line-out went awry and Merthyr were awarded that last gasp penalty which Ben Jones stepped up to land to steal the verdict – a cruel ending for Neath who most felt had earned a share of the points.

Tough as it was, given that eight of Merthyr’s points came with the last play of each half, Neath showed they can compete with the best.

But their own game can and must improve : line-outs, tackle-area discipline and general handling need attention. Put those areas right and Neath will be a formidable side indeed ! But, for bravery, doggedness and ‘bouncebackability’, look no further – the Neath spirit still burns brightly.

NEATH – I Morgan (K Morgan); J Bayliss, K Charles, S Harris, J Bayliss; P Short, C Tantum (K Davies); M Morgan (O Watts), S Jones (K Jones), M Lovell (T Dabeh); M Davies, S Lewis (J Blackmore); W Pope (C Williams), B Williams (capt), G Tremlett (J Hughes)

MERTHYR – C Murphy (J Jones); J Kathrens, A Hoskins,T Hughes, K Stone (A Burton) ; B Jones, J Soanes (D Land); J Savery (I Pope), E Shipp (R Hughes), R Lewis (C Lewis); P McBride (capt), C Locke; F Thomas (J Perkins), A Evans, K Evans   Not Used T Offa

Referee – Mr M English (Llanwern)

** Next Saturday, Neath are home again against Ystrad Rhondda (kick off 2.30pm) – the Rhondda club are always popular visitors and another cracker is expected as they won their opening game against Cross Keys 26-25.

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