NEATH reclaimed second spot in the Welsh Premiership courtesy of this hard-fought win over Bonymaen in a keenly-fought game which, if nothing else, demonstrated the old Club’s ability to generate a truly big-time occasion and once again exposed the folly of the guilty men at the WRU who shunned one of its biggest clubs.

Conditions were perfect at The Gnoll – the pitch firm underfoot, the weather dry and very warm for Boxing Day – and the wisdom of playing this fixture on Boxing Day was fully borne out by a remarkable attendance of 4,748 who came from far and wide.

As would be expected most were from Neath but Bonymaen were well represented and there were many neutrals on hand too – and really both clubs are to be congratulated for their initiative in providing holiday entertainment in the face of WRU ambivalence concerning Christmas games.

It was easily the biggest club crowd of the holiday period – a remarkable effort by anyone’s standards – and the tenor will have translated itself to the high number of youngsters present and persuaded them that rugby football is the game for them.

it was almost as if Dr. Who himself had transported Welsh rugby back to its halcyon days – two good sides comprising honest working men, going at it hammer and tongs in front of a large crowd of partisan supporters who conveyed a feverish atmosphere.

And, of course, it was a particular boost for Neath after being displaced last year by all the chicanery around the ‘super’ division; it demonstrated to one and all that there is plenty of life left in Wales’ oldest senior club which still has the enthusiasm and the capacity to outstrip the others.

One Neath exile, home for Christmas and the rugby, commentated afterwards, “Based on this afternoon, anyone would think there is nothing wrong with Welsh rugby.  Please thank everyone at Neath RFC for making it possible.” Always nice to hear compliments !

Bonymaen kicked off attacking the Town end and they took the game to Neath with a relish. The opening quarter was very evenly contested with a lot of cagey kicking for position.

Neath are well aware of the adage “beware the underdog that bites” and the visitors were twice held up over the try-line before Neath threatened through longer-range attacks by wings Ki Morgan and Ryan Griffiths only for the moves to fail at the death.

The first score came after 28 minutes when, with Neath exploring the width of the pitch and gradually building their attacks, referee Mr. Tom Spurrier (Barry) played advantage for an early tackle and home outside-half Steff Williams dropped a goal to break the deadlock.

But Bonymaen battled on with their front row of Ricky James, captain Andrew Pritchard and Lewys Bullock setting a solid platform. The onus was all on Neath in this match and captain Ben Williams led by example and centre Kieran Charles was prominent but generally they struggled to put their game together with any fluidity.

Half-time – Neath 3 points Bonymaen nil

Neath needed to pick up their game and they stepped up the pace after the interval. The experienced Rhodri Cole, on as replacement scrum-half, soon got them on the front foot and, from a line-out drive, hooker Evan Kneath plunged over for the opening try which Steff Williams converted and it was 10-nil

The score was mistakenly awarded initially to flanker Casey Williams but, as the Neath public address man said, white numbers don’t really work on a white background; in fact, they work about as well as black numbers on a black background.

Neath wasted little time in adding to their score when another replacement in lock Jacob Blackmore won clean line-out ball and the All Blacks hit back to the blind-side for full back Iestyn Morgan to touch down and Steff Williams again converted from wide out to make it 17-nil.

It was probably the most efficient passage of play produced on the day by the All Blacks who were below their best; a lesser side than Bonymaen might have cracked there and then but to their utmost credit, as both sides emptied their replacements’ benches, they stuck in there to the end.

Territorial dominance belonged to Neath in the second-half and they added to their score when a sweeping passing movement freed young winger Nathan Orrells for their third try – his seventh try of the season – to make it 22-nil.

In a frantic finish, Neath pushed hard for the bonus point try but it was not to be – and, while victory was Neath’s, Bonymaen can take great heart from this showing on a great day for Premiership rugby.

Neath worked hard on marketing the occasion and ensuring that everybody knew this game was on – now the All Blacks’ message is that “a rugby club is not just for Christmas” – the hope being that many of the 4,748 will return in the New Year.

Having recovered second spot in the Premiership from Merthyr, Neath now move on to a big challenge, a “free hit” almost, at the Ironmen’s ground on January 4 when Bonymaen have a home tie against Cross Keys to look forward to – again, they will be hoping that their supporters see fit to return … and they deserve it.

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

BONYMAEN – R.Williams; S.Clancy, S.Pryce-Griffiths, B.Davies, N.Brooks; L.Thomas, C.Setter; R.James, A.Pritchard (capt), L.Bullock; J.Yeates, T.Herdman; B.Owen, R.Leonard, J.Osborne

S.Jones, A.Turner, G. Andrew. J.Farley, Z.Pearce, L.Sullivan, O.Davies A.Jones

Referee – Mr. T.Spurrier (Barry)

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