Four quick-fire second-half tries by Neath’s young scrum-half/winger Kaden Davies steered the Welsh All Blacks to the season’s double over Cross Keys.

The sun shone and, after the interval, it rained points at The Gnoll where Neath and Cross Keys fought a keen battle in the dry-at-last conditions.

Following their 38-22 win over Newbridge, Neath changed half the team for this latest Gwent challenge with Jacob Blackmore proudly leading the team out on his 150th appearance. Cross Keys themselves set aside half the side which lost to Pontypridd last time out.

Coats and scarves were dispensed with in the Spring sunshine and a minute’s silence was held in memory of former flanker Andy Llewellyn before Neath kicked off towards the Town end.

After ten minutes the All Blacks lost left wing Ki Morgan who was replaced by Kaden Davies and, in a poor half, both sides seemed to have difficulty in adjusting back to dry-weather rugby as errors and spillages were frequent.

The match was nearly a quarter gone before the the opening score came – and there was a comedic element about it. Neath outside-half Charlie Thomas kicked long and a heavy inside pass from a Keys defender completely evaded his support-man allowing Neath wing Morgan Meaclem to gratefully accept the invitation to gather and touch down for a try which full back Iestyn Morgan converted to give Neath a 7-nil lead.

Five minutes later Keys outside-half Josh Malsom landed a penalty for 7-3 and, despite the visitors scrummaging strongly, Neath were on the attack and threatened the Keys line.

After a couple of chances had gone begging, acting captain and scrum-half Connor Tantum went closest to scoring when the ball just squirted over the dead-ball line but on 35 minutes the All Blacks messed up badly when Neath attacked from a line-out in the Keys’ 22 only for winger Victor Corrihons to  intercept and he ran 90 metres to score at the other end where Malsom’s conversion made it 7-10.

Before half-time, Keys might well have gone further ahead but, much to Neath’s relief, they bungled an overlap.

Half-time – Neath 7 points Cross Keys 10 points

Keys extended their lead two minutes after the break when Malsom landed a second penalty but a strong run by home No.8 Casey Williams had the visitors in disarray and Kaden Davies, normally a scrum-half but operating on the wing, squeezed in at the left corner for Neath’s second try and it was 12-13.

From the restart Neath attacked again and good build-up work notably by Iestyn Morgan sent Kaden Davies racing across for his second try and the full back’s conversion put Neath back in front at 19-13.

It was then Neath’s turn to botch again when they lost the ball near the Keys line; the visitors countered and neat work around the front of a line-out led to flanker Max Heathman crossing. Malsom converted to make it 19-20 and to make things worse for Neath hooker Sion Jones was sin-binned.

Neath’s response was immediate as their young back-line countered and Kaden Davies, running a grand inside support line, took the pass to cross for his hat-trick and it was 24-20 midway through the half.

Keys came again and earned a penalty in Neath’s 22. The unerring Malsom stepped up to land his third shot and reduce the arrears to 24-23 but Keys may have been better advised to have taken a set-piece and seek the try.

Neath made them pay in the last ten minutes as they finished stronger. A powerful run by replacement Steff Lewis created the space and Kaden Davies, now switched to scrum-half, finished off the movement with a magnificent fourth try – Neath’s fifth – for Iestyn Morgan to convert and 31-23.

And the All Blacks rounded it off with a sixth try when Morgan Meaclem passed to lock Matthew Davies, loitering in the wide right channel, to complete Neath’s second-half scoring spree.

Six tries to two tells its own story but Neath’s margin of victory was slightly flattering against a Keys side whose never-say-die attitude kept them going throughout.

Neath now move on to a volley of away games beginning at Newbridge who will be out for quick revenge next Saturday (kick off 2.30pm) while down the road Keys have a home game against Llanelli Wanderers

NEATH – I Morgan; M Meaclem, L Davies, A Davies, K Morgan (K Davies); Charlie Thomas, C Tantum (capt) (S Williams); M Morgan, S Jones (K Jones), M Lovell (Chris Thomas); M Davies, J Hughes (J Barley); J Blackmore (S Lewis), C Williams (B Williams), G Tremlett

CROSS KEYS – E Rees; E Martin-Drew (B Murphy), D Thomas (capt),  I Penry (M Cusack), V Corrihons; J Malsom, D Davies (C Wardman); T Pescud (R Hunt), N Huish (D Jones), C Donaghue-Proud (T Burnham); J Verrier, K Lewis; A Johnson, H Robson (S Davies)  M Heathman (R Cobb)

Referee – Mr G Newman (Abergavenny)

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