Ystrad Rhondda’s greater precision and control brought them a deserved revenge victory over a Neath side which made too many errors – of judgement and execution – to seriously challenge after going 12 points down in the wintry splendour of Gelligaled Park.

Neath made five squad changes following their 54-13 win over Newcastle Emlyn but a lethargic start saw the home side take control.

Where Ystrad were decisive in finding defensive holes, Neath dithered – and ten minutes in Ystrad registered the opening try by winger Kurtis Williams and two minutes later an unguarded kick led to a second try by centre Ryan Evans, outside-half Rhys Truelove converting the latter for a 12-nil lead.

Neath hit back with some strong driving by the forwards with prop Mason Morgan, lock Jacob Blackmore and flanker Owain Morgan often leading the assaults and midway through the half it was Owain Morgan who opened Neath’s account with a try which outside-half Steff Williams converted to bring Neath back into it at 7-12.

But more defensive dilly-dallying let in Ystrad as Truelove stepped up to land a penalty and extend the home side’s lead to 15-7.

The Neath forwards rallied but the score would not come for the visitors who squandered chances : an attacking line-out went awry, a long pass flew  harmlessly into touch and a quickly taken penalty in the shadow of the posts brought no reward when Neath were held up over the line and a better option might have been to go wide.

Half-time – Ystrad Rhondda 15 points Neath 7 points

Neath needed to do something quickly in the second-half but another defensive lapse let in Ystrad who went further ahead at 18-7 when Truelove landed his second penalty.

The home side, well led by hooker Liam Wiggins, gave it everything to counter Neath’s attempts to get back into the game and things got even better for Ystrad when Kurtis Williams, looking for work in midfield, found the space to cross for his second try which had the home supporters in raptures.

Midway through the half, the introduction of Neath’s replacements at last injected some purpose and urgency which paid dividends as more direct work by the forwards had the Ystrad defence reeling and Steff Williams scampered over for Neath’s second try which he converted himself.

Trailing 14-23, Neath ought to have scored again – only a fine last-ditch tackle managed to keep hooker Kian Jones out off an attacking line-out and then wing Matthew Jenkins joined the line but kicked the ball dead with two men outside him.

When Ystrad raised the siege, at the other end a third Truelove penalty more or less made it safe for Ystrad at 14-26.

Neath were not done though and they established field position which gave rise to a bout of fisticuffs with the home team’s Tom Foulkes and Morgan Burgess accompanying Casey Williams to the sin-bin.

The Neath forwards struck again to level the try-count with their third, replacement prop Ben Uphill getting the score on the back of a powerful drive and it was 19-26 but, hard as they tried at the end, Neath had left themselves too much to do and the home side were worthy winners.

In the end, Neath’s self-inflicted wounds cost them dear and they need to do better in two weeks time when they travel to Narberth.

YSTRAD RHONDDA – A Webber (J Williams); K Williams, L Hutchings, R Evans, C Davies; R Truelove (L Williams), C Phillips (K Richards); T Stacey (T Foulkes), L Wiggins (capt) (G Williams), O Davies (N English); J Buckle, M Burgess; M Williams, K Jones (C Owen), L Matthews (M Roderick)

NEATH -I Morgan; N Orrells, R Wall, S Wilcox, M Jenkins; S Williams, E Lewis (C Tantum); M Morgan (J Jones), K Jones, T Dabeh (B Uphill); M Davies (C Arnold), J Blackmore; O Morgan (D Ceredig), B Williams (capt) (C Williams), G Tremlett  Repl Not Called :- G W Lloyd  G Richards

Referee – Mr J Rees (Tycroes)

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