NEATH gave as good as they got and there was little between the sides but Beddau’s wonderful season continued as a penalty late in the first-half proved the only difference and returned them to the top of the league.

Neath have fielded pretty settled combinations of late and this time the only changes to the starting XV saw the return of skipper Ben Williams and winger Morgan Meaclem. Beddau selections too have been remarkably constant and their XV has been little changed all season

Therefore, two largely tried and tested sides met each other at Mount Pleasant Park for the early international day kick off with leading referee Mr. Rhys Jones in charge on a miserable, misty and murky day and a muddy pitch barely-playable in parts.

Neath had first use of slope and elements and, with play inevitably largely confined to the Beddau half, the visitors built up a 14-nil lead and the intrepid few supporters who travelled were content.

The Neath forwards drove back Beddau fully 25 metres and, when the backs joined the assault, centre Josh Male popped up with the opening try which full back Iestyn Morgan converted.

Three minutes later, outside-half Charlie Thomas lofted an up and under on the wind, home centre Tyler Wells failed to deal with it and opposite number Sean Wilcox sped away for the second try which was again converted by Morgan who came through with credit on a torrid day for full backs.

Neath really ought to have pushed on as a two-score lead was never likely to be enough but the Blacks blotted their copybook just before half-time when, on a rare Beddau visit into virgin Neath territory, the away side conceded a penalty which home outside-half Ollie Wilde kicked.

Half-time – Beddau 3 pts, Neath 14 pts

So bad were conditions that both teams changed jerseys at half-time, Beddau’s forsaking bottle green for yellow and Neath white for black; even the referee changed from yellow to green.

The second-half produced almost a replica of the first with the roles reversed according to the elements and it would be unfair to single out any players for mention as to a man all gave it everything in dreadful circumstances of mud and wind.

Like Neath, Beddau pounced for two mid-half tries by hooker Joe Page and prop Sam Bixby, Wilde converting both to give Beddau the lead at 17-14.

Neath finished stronger and launched a series of late attacks but resolute Beddau defence kept them out and the home side held on for a narrow victory which prompted some strange celebrations by the home supporters as the players left the field.

One home follower directed a can of cider at a Neath player striking him in the chest (as unedifying as it was unnecessary) and another immodestly streaked from the sponsors’ shed to the far end of the ground and slithered in for a ‘try’ (sliding tackle ?) – not a pleasant sight either but less harmful !

Ultimately Wilde’s first-half penalty proved the difference; his namesake Oscar once declared (amongst his many other witticisms), “Hearts are made to be broken” – and Neath must mend theirs against Bargoed at The Gnoll on Saturday (kick off 2.30pm).

BEDDAU – C Baker; E Roberts, T Wells (B Roberts), A Ashford, J Davis; O Wilde, C Smith (L Jones); S Bixby (Gerwyn Powell), L James (J Page), C Phillips (Gwilym Powell); D Perry (H Barnes), L Evans (capt); S Tiley, E Evans, S Gibson (T Christopher) (N Davey)

NEATH I Morgan; M Meaclem, S Wilcox, J Male, J Bayliss; Charlie Thomas (S Williams), C Tantum; M Morgan, S Jones, M Lovell; M Davies, J Hughes (S Lewis); C Williams (J Blackmore), B Williams (capt), G Tremlett (W Pope)

Referee – Mr Rhys Jones (Pencoed)