Neath turned in one of their most complete performances for many a year when they defeated what is a very good Bargoed side at The Gnoll.

This was Welsh club rugby – ‘proper’ rugby as many have it – at its best : a high octane affair of great intensity and a huge credit to the new Premiership as two well-drilled sides full of positive intent went at it hammer and tongs before Neath pulled clear in the last quarter.

Early on the omens were not good for the All Blacks as they made an awful start, two basic errors resulting in an attacking scrum for Bargoed from which No.8 Tom Rice, newly returned from Cardiff, crossed all too easily for the opening try and outside-half Josh Prosser converted.

However, the home side realised the importance of this game and stormed onto the offensive in a blistering first-half assault which delighted The Gnoll faithful who cheered to the echo in what was turning into a real “blink and you’ll miss it” affair.

Strong, direct forward play was the order of the day for Neath as Bargoed are a highly powerful, proficient and experienced lot and their halves Prosser and James Leadbetter used all their nous to probe for any weakness.

Neath defended like Trojans with centres Kieran Charles and delayed-debutant Morgan Jones hermetically sealed the midfield. In reply, the All Blacks counter-attacked with panache, the tone being set by the rapidity of their superb trio of back-row hustlers and rustlers.

Ryan Griffiths, forced into the full back role by Neath’s string of injuries behind the scrum, ran out of defence to initiate their first score. The ubiquitous Casey Williams and Ellis Lewis – what a pair of ‘finds’ they are ! – took it on and a series of determined drives by the forwards, led to lock Matthew Davies plunging and lunging over at the posts for Steff Williams to convert and it was 7-7.

Four minutes later, the All Blacks went ahead. The front five forwards worked hard in the tight and they had the bit between their teeth in the loose; another strong surge saw Matthew Davies apply the try-scoring touch for outside-half Williams to convert.

Neath were setting a great pace in a bruising battle for ascendancy and continued to press. On the half hour Griffiths was again involved as the All Blacks prised open Bargoed’s defence to send lion-hearted skipper Ben Williams charging across for the third try which Williams converted to raise the advantage to 21-7.

Neath had dominated for half an hour but Bargoed were far from done and in the lead-up to half-time they sustained possession forcing Neath onto the defensive. The Blacks battled and the line held – just – but on the stroke of half-time excellent referee Mr. Rhys Jones (Coychurch) awarded Bargoed a penalty try to top and tail the half.

Half-time – Neath 21 points Bargoed 14 points

There was a real buzz in the ground and during the interval spectators reflected on a first half of genuine quality and intensity – and the second-half proved even better.

Neath took up the cudgels once more and attacked from the start. Spurning penalty kicks in front of the posts, seven minutes in, the All Blacks took a quick tap and rapid movement of the ball sent winger Nathan Orrells dodging in at the corner to give Neath a try bonus and a 26-14 advantage.

Back came Bargoed and they bagged their third try when winger Josh Congreve – a try scorer for Neath in a pre-season games against Richmond and Swansea last year – forced his way over for a try in the right corner and Howells converted superbly from the touchline to bring it back to 26-21.

As befits a side which had won at Merthyr’s stronghold, Bargoed were good … very good – and centre Callum Jones was recalled for a forward pass. But Neath struck again when Davies won line-out ball and Steff Williams placed a kick for winger Matthew Jenkins to cross for Neath’s fifth try and it was 31-21.

Neath kept up the terrific pace and more or less made sure of the result when Steff Williams kicked a penalty from 30 metres; 34-21 rapidly became 39-21 when replacement Morgan Kneath’s diagonal slash opened up Bargoed and centre Kieran Charles got Neath’s sixth try.

The thrust and counter-thrust rugby remained of the highest order to the end. Bargoed were ever dangerous as they sought in vain for a bonus point but Neath had the final word when young tearaway Gethin Tremlett sped away for Neath’s seventh try to which Steff Williams added the coup de grace for 46-21.

Neath went in search of the half century but were denied by a little over-eagerness and, when the final whistle went, the crowd rose to acclaim a wonderful Neath display.

The entire team – replacements included – deserve praise for a total performance against powerful opponents who will not lose many more in this campaign and it all had supporters purring in a manner which they have not done for a few years.

Signs are that the hard work done with the squad by coaches Tim Ryan and Ryan Evans is beginning to pay off as they put their stamp on the Neath style – for style it was.

But they will not be basking in the glory for long as Neath move on next Saturday to another difficult away game at bubbling Llangennech, another team who recently beat Merthyr, and who are exceedingly good on their own patch.

Despair may engulf the Welsh game at national level but there was none of it at The Lextan Gnoll on Saturday. Those who were not there missed a real treat !

NEATH – R.Griffiths; N.Orrells, M.Jones, K.Charles, M.Jenkins (G.Richards); S.Williams, E.Lewis (R.Cole); J.Powell (T.Dabeh), E.Kneath (J.Clark), M.Morgan (J.Jones); C.Arnold, M.Davies (J.Blackmore); C.Williams (O.Morgan),  B.Williams (capt) (M.Kneath), G.Tremlett

BARGOED – D.Williams (J.Congreve); A.Norton, C.Jones, L.Yendle, R.Thomas; J.Prosser, J.Leadbeatter (capt) (T.Bainton); K.Brown (L.Jones), M.Edwards (L.Tovey), K.Bale (J.Parry); J.Locke, M.Thomas; O.Cooper (K.Davies), T.Rice (G.Edmunds), R.Stephens

Referee – Mr. R.Jones (Coychurch)

* Prior to the game, a minute’s silence was observed for Remembrance Day, for former Neath RFC correspondent Stephen Bale and for long-standing member Chris Bartlett.  MP

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