Neath were well beaten by Bridgend at The Gnoll on Friday evening.

The All Blacks started strongly but wasted three or four attacking opportunities. One line-out catch and drive led to a try by hooker Sion Jones which outside-half Paul Short converted but the home side would regret not making the most of those opportunities.

Instead, Bridgend gradually got their game together and over-turned Neath’s 7-nil lead. They scored three first-half tries through centre Ryan Wilkins, hooker Cory Lewis and prop Nathan Evans, outside-half Ben Burnell converting two.

The visitors added two second half tries from hooker McKenzie Scales and Gabe Lacey and, while Neath occasionally pressed, there was no further score. In the last quarter the defensive resolution of both sides was tested and Neath lacked nothing for effort but must get back to full operating efficiency before the league campaign starts.

NEATH – S Williams; L Barron, S Harris, K Charles, M Meaclem; P Short, C Tantum; M Morgan, S Jones, M Lovell (captain); M Davies, J Hughes; W Pope, E R Lewis, G Tremlett
Replacements (From) – L Hawkes K Tantum R Callaghan D Jones R Jones M Hughes B Uphill L Jones K Harris J Phillips B Thomas R Barrow B Williams S Jenkins

BRIDGEND – E Howley; R Greenhall, F Jones, R Wilkins, C Ellis; B Burnell, C Williams (capt), I Pope, C Lewis, N Evans; A Thomas, C-R David; K Harris, I Davies, M Boobyer Repl. J Williams,
M Scales D Manaseitava L Tobias C Donoghue-Proud R Dauncey H Williams J Richards E Evans I Merriman D O’Sullivan H Nash I Powell M Rowley F Jones J Gatt G Lacey
Referee – Mr A Parry (Pontypool)