Second place in the WRU Premiership was at stake when Neath entertained high-riding Beddau on Saturday and, in an entertaining game between two enterprising sides, defences were fully-occupied and the play had far more to commend it than the final score-line might suggest.

After an attritional opening to the season, the Welsh All Blacks made half a dozen changes from the starting side which won at Llangennech the previous week with YG Ystalyfera schoolboy Aled Davies (Tonna) getting his first chance at centre.  Home lock Jon Barley and visiting hooker Ethan Coombes returned for their 150th game for their respective clubs.

A fine, still autumn day attracted a good, noisy crowd as the teams took the field and an all-action, fast opening gave notice of things to come. Neath had an early chance when flanker Gethin Tremlett burst free but the last pass went astray when it seemed simpler to score.

Beddau, well-drilled and compact, countered with some well-constructed attacks of their own and it was easy to see why they have won all their games so far.

It was punch and counter-punch as the two teams went at it like two well-matched boxers in the ring (without the blows, of course – well, not too many). Neath’s best spell might have brought reward as they sacrificed kickable penalties in search of the first score but their efforts foundered on splendid defence and home errors.

In a tight affair, Neath’s kick-chase was not as keen or as ordered as Beddau’s and this led to the first try when a magical run by full back Cody Baker paved the way for the opening try by centre Tyler Wells and outside-half Callum Wheeler’s conversion made it 7-nil to the visitors.

Half-time – Neath nil, Beddau 7 points

The second-half followed very much the pattern of the first and both sides were held up on the try-line by some heroic defensive commitment; the approach work was often better than the finishing finesse and the score-boards remained immovable.

Neath’s line-out – although better than in recent games – briefly imploded and two attacking opportunities were lost before full-function was restored. It was from a line-out that Neath got back on level terms when a powerful drive by the home forwards led to hooker Sion Jones touching down for his 7th try of the season and outside-half Paul Short converted.

But there was no significant momentum shift in a desperately close game and, well-directed by experienced scrum-half Lewis Jones, Beddau looked in hungrier mood and wing Jack Davies was denied in the corner at the other end.

The benches emptied and Neath brought on two further debutants in Taylor Hayden (Cwmavon) and Owen Erasmus (Ospreys Academy) whose delightful break split the defence but he was hauled down from behind just short of the try-line.

Both sides strived hard to find the edge and, as the final whistle approached, it was Beddau who finished stronger. After three re-sets at a scrum out on the left touchline, they forced a penalty and up stepped replacement Ollie Wilde to strike the winning goal prompting well-merited and justified jubilation in the visitors’ camp.

That the game was decided on the last kick was unfortunate for Neath but they will not quibble with it although this is the second time this season they have lost in such a manner and demanding Gnoll supporters expect better.

Despite the paucity of scoring, it had been a good game of rugby football and an intriguing day for those who appreciate attacking rugby matched by resolute defence.

Chastening as another last-kick defeat was, hard lessons can always be learned from defeat and Neath must now re-gather themselves for next Saturday’s always-exacting trip to Bargoed while Beddau host Llanelli Wanderers.

NEATH –  I Morgan; J Bayliss, S Wilcox, A Davies (T Hayden), M Meaclem; P Short (O Erasmus), K Davies (J Daniel); M Morgan (O Watts), S Jones (K Jones), T Dabeh (B Uphill); J Barley (J Blackmore), M Davies; C Williams, B Williams (capt), G Tremlett (J Hughes)

BEDDAU – C Baker; E Roberts, T Wells (O Wilde) S Gardner (A Ashford), J Davies; C Wheeler, L Jones; S Bixby (Gerwyn Powell), E Coombes (J Page), Gwilym Powell (M Van der Bergh); L Evans (capt), D Perry (D Williams) ; S Tiley E Evans, S Gibson (L Rogers),(B Roberts)

Referee – Mr N James (Abersychan)

MAN OF THE MATCH
Neath Rugby Supporters Club, Man of the Match: Ben Williams:

Ben Williams receiving his award from Clive Aprea.
(Man of the match award sponsored by Dean Evans)

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