NEATH’s forward platform paved the way for the All Blacks to capture table-topping Pontypridd’s unbeaten league record in a stirring encounter at The Gnoll.

A torrential shower greeted the teams as they took the field in front of a big, partisan  crowd which was in good voice throughout a classic hard-fought Welsh club game.

The Neath forwards took the game to the visitors much as they had in the earlier Cup win and this time the All Blacks took the try count 4-2 for the bonus point.

The All Blacks’ pack was soon into its stride, scrummaging and mauling powerfully to force Pontypridd onto the defensive and scrum-half Connor Tantum nearly gave the home side the lead but knocked on with the line at his mercy.

In a somewhat cagey start the two sides tested each other out before a sudden flurry of mid-half scoring. Neath took the lead when a pre-planned move straight off the training-field split the defence and led to an electrifying try by wing Ki Morgan and outside-half Paul Short converted to give Neath a rare lead at 7-nil.

However, the visiting side clad in purple – the colour of royalty (who have not had a good week) – soon revealed their majesty and levelled through a try by lock Ethan Evans which outside-half Jorge Lucey converted.

With locks Matthew Davies and Jon Barley ensuring a plentiful supply of line-out possession, the All Blacks looked dangerous and another incisive run by Ki Morgan all but brought a second home score but Pontypridd’s defence, well-marshalled by the always impressive Cally James, just about held firm until the interval.

Half-time – Neath 7 points Pontypridd 7 points

Pontypridd came out of the blocks after the interval and went in front with a second close-range try by Ethan Evans which was converted by Lucey. Neath battered their way up-field but Pontypridd defended desperately and, when a Dale Stuckey up and under inspired a break out, Lucey kicked a penalty for 7-17

But Neath hit back midway through the half in a purple-patch which matched the visitors’ shirts and turned the game back in their favour. A kick to the corner by Ki Morgan eluded both him and the Pontypridd defenders and centre Sam Harris was on hand to get the touchdown and it was 12-17.

But now the momentum was with the All Blacks whose vigorous maul was a telling factor all day proving that when the Neath forwards are ‘in the mood’ they are a match for most.

Four minutes later the home team deservedly went ahead when skipper and No.8 Ben Williams crossed for his sixth try of the season and Paul Short converted from wide out to make it 19-17 and the All Blacks were back in front.

Neath’s replacements settled in – up front Kian Jones relished the opportunity to take over from try-ace Sion Jones and Casey Williams was as dynamic as ever while Jacob Daniel produced some deft touches behind.

Paul Short’s line-kicking repeatedly gave Neath the advantage and Iestyn Morgan and once Gethin Tremlett gained useful field positions too.

The excitement mounted as the crowd got behind their respective heroes and, with the home forwards finishing stronger, Neath made the game safe at 26-17 when Pontypridd infringed once too often in their own ‘danger-zone’ and the referee awarded a penalty try to Neath and a yellow-card to the visitors’ No.8 Iestyn Harris.

Pontypridd were not done though and good work by experienced beneficiaries full back Dale Stuckey and scrum-half Joel Raikes set up a last-gasp second penalty for Jorge Lucey which earned them a losing bonus point to keep them ahead of Merthyr at the top before referee Mr. Keith David (Bridgend) blew the final whistle.

That brought to an end a gripping Welsh club game of the top order and those who denigrate Welsh rugby would have profited from being there – even the showers abated to ensure that the Neath majority in a splendid four-figure crowd went home happy.

* Next Saturday, Neath travel to Cross Keys where they lost last season – and the forwards will need to be ‘in the mood’ again if that defeat is to be avenged.

NEATH – O Erasmus (I Morgan); M Meaclem, J Bayliss, S Harris, K Morgan (J Hughes); P Short, C Tantum (J Daniel);  M Morgan (O Watts), S Jones (K Jones), M Lovell (T Dabeh); J Barley (C Williams), M Davies; J Blackmore, B Williams (capt), G Tremlett    Repl. – S Morgan

PONTYPRIDD – D Stuckey; I Griffith, S Floyd-Ellis, G Smith, G Thorrington; J Lucey, J Raikes ; B Drew, C Hughes (D Kelly), K Mattravers; M Barnard (J Buckle), E Evans (L Riley); Cai James, I Harris, Cally James (capt)   Repl – J Blackburn, J Pugh. L Dennett, L Morrish, D Cotterell

Referee – Mr. K David (Bridgend)