Black Friday gave way to Black Saturday at The Gnoll where Neath slipped to a disappointing defeat to Cardiff Metropolitan.

Neath fielded a much-changed XV with players swapping positions behind the scrum and the back-row re-jigged while Cardiff Met fielded the strongest side they have this season.

After a somewhat guarded opening characterised by a series of testing kicks, Cardiff Met took the lead after eight minutes when outside-half Vitas Meijer, a Holland  international, kicked a good penalty.

Neath wasted a good position before Met showed greater incisiveness when Wales Under-20 scrum-half Sion Davies flipped the ball to winger Jack Walsh who crossed for the opening try and Meijer converted for nil-10.

Neath’s line-out was well-combated by visiting locks Canadian Ryan Cozens and Wales Under-20 Gethyn Cannon as the home side struggled to get their game together and the students were visibly grew in belief.

Things got worse for Neath around the half-hour when a loose kick resulted in a second try by flanker Oli Smith and, hard as they tried, despite gaining good territory, Neath could make no impression on a well-organised student defence.

Half-time – Neath nil Cardiff Metropolitan-15

Neath started the second-half with renewed energy but Met broke out for a superb length-of-the field try finished by winger Toby Lock and Meijer’s conversion advanced his side’s lead to 22 points.

It was turning into a bit of a shocker for the All Blacks who started ringing the bench changes but the second-half followed much the same pattern with Neath often attacking but lacking the variety to break through.

No.8 Steff Lewis had a strong game and replacement halves Paul Short and Jacob Daniel did their utmost to inspire. After 71 minutes, Neath finally got on to the scoreboard when lock Jacob Blackmore, as industrious as ever, got his first try of the season after good work by the forwards.

Thereafter, Neath continued to make – or were forced into making – too many errors and it was a day to forget for the Blacks; a day to remember for the students who won at The Gnoll for only the third time and for whom Christmas came early.

Neath now move on to the big Boxing Day game against Championship West leaders Bonymaen who come to The Gnoll in good form. The All Blacks will need to get their game in order as Bonymaen will be as big a challenge as those ahead in the New Year.

NEATH – M Meaclem; L Hawkes (J Bayliss), B Williams (capt), S Wilcox, S Harris (P Short); I Morgan, C Tantum (J Daniel);  M Morgan (J Jones), K Jones (M Little), M Lovell (C James); M Davies, J Blackmore; J Evans (W Pope), S Lewis, C Williams (G Tremlett)

CARDIFF METROPOLITAN – I Marsh; J Walsh, G Patterson (capt), T Clinch (R McKay), T Lock; V Meijer, S Davies (A Lloyd); M Surry (W Pearce), J Morris (K Hill), A Wakefield (R Woodford); R Cozens (G Cahsay), G Cannon; O Smith (R Spavins), E Batchelor, M Hansen (C Davies)

Referee – Mr J Davies (Porthcawl)

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