Neath’s highly promising start to the season continued as they powered to a convincing 7-try win on the long trek to rural Brecon.

The All Blacks made four personnel changes from the side which started the 69-19 win over Ystrad Rhondda the previous week with Sam Harris, Paul Short, Mason Morgan and Steff Lewis restored.

The heavy rains which hit Wales cleared occasionally during the 80 minutes but Neath played the conditions well throughout to take territorial advantage and pack dominance gave the visitors a decided edge.

It was Brecon who scored first though when full back Kevin Dillon was given far too much space and skated over for the opening try which was converted by skipper Jake Newman.

It served as a wake-up call for Neath whose forwards rose to the challenge : the forwards foraged to win the crucial battle in the tackle area; Neath’s scrum was superior and the line-out work was better if not yet perfect. Given a steady flow of possession, the backs were eager to run and, when necessary, the kicking for position was effective.

Tries came regularly as Neath applied a first-half stranglehold with their driving maul a growing force. Hooker Sion Jones, a burgeoning influence, crossed twice for the first and third tries and, with greater control, might have had a hat-trick.

In between, there was a splendid 75-metre interception try by wing Ki Morgan and, as Neath turned the screw, non-stop flanker Casey Williams crossed from a quickly-taken penalty after the Neath pack forced Brecon into ever-more desperate defence.

After just missing the first, outside-half Paul Short landed the next three conversions and Neath went in at the interval very much in command.

Half-time – Brecon 7 points Neath 26 points

 The second-half followed much the same pattern as Neath remained well on top.

Grand inter-play between Ki Morgan and scrum-half Connor Tantum created a super score finished by prop Marley Lovell, another who is settling in nicely – he slammed over for his second try in successive games and Paul Short converted to extend Neath’s lead to 33-7.

Occasionally Neath were a little too frenetic at times : over-eagerness cost them and the All Blacks were held up over the line three times. However, Neath’s power-play brought them a deserved penalty try to make it 40-7.

As the benches were emptied, Brecon played some good stuff too and it took a last-ditch tackle to keep them out. Rhys Davies was a creative centre, and they got the consolation of a second try when Neath’s concentration wavered and Matthew Williams pounced for a try.

Neath re-claimed the kick off though and some good combined play led to skipper Ben Williams crossing for the visitors’ seventh try to which Paul Short added the conversion and the All Blacks had the chance to raise the half-century.

At the end of the day, 7 more tries made it a happy trip for the intrepid travelling Neath support who braved the uncovered touchlines on a day of rain-coats and rugby revelry and the game was very well controlled by young referee Max Clements (Hengoed) whose debut at this level suggests a bright future.

Next Saturday, Neath will have to up their game still further because Pontypridd come to The Gnoll in the Cup. It will take a huge effort by the All Blacks if they are to lower the colours of the Cup-holders and eliminate them from this year’s competition.

Pontypridd are currently leading the Premiership and it promises to be quite a game between two of Wales’ top club sides. A good crowd is expected so supporters are asked to get there early (kick off is at 2.30pm and the turnstiles will be open at 1.30pm).

BRECON – K Dillon; J Price, T Richards, R Davies, B Griffin; J Newman (capt), S Horobin (G Workman); J Lydiate (I Phillips) L Lewis (J Pritchard) H Hibbs (T Moa); K Parry, C Thomas (A Messon); I Edwards (J Millichap), L Evans, M Williams   (L Brown)  (C Pavett)

NEATH – I Morgan (C Davies); J Bayliss, S Wilcox, S Harris, K Morgan (K Charles); P Short, C Tantum (J Daniel); M Morgan (O Watts), S Jones (K Jones), M Lovell (B Uphill); M Davies (G Tremlett), J Blackmore; S Lewis, B Williams (capt), C Williams  (D Ceredig)

Referee – Mr M Clements (Hengoed)

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