Neath hoisted themselves to third in the table after this comfortable-enough win over battling Cross Keys at The Gnoll.

11 tries – 7 for Neath, 4 for Cross Keys – highlighted an entertaining Premiership game which sent the majority of supporters home happy.

As the score-line suggests, Neath were the dominant force for much of the game but they squandered several good chances which detracted from the overall satisfaction with the display.

The All Blacks held sway from the start but errors of execution and judgement meant that it took some 20 minutes before the first score was registered.

After ignoring three very kickable penalties in front of the posts for kicks to the corner, Neath’s ambition finally paid off when lively hooker Kian Jones crossed for his first try for the All Blacks and outside-half Steff Williams goaled splendidly to make it 7-nil.

Keys had lost both skipper Tom Sullivan and lock Josh Wall to yellow-cards in the interim as they transgressed rather than allow Neath quick ball but when Keys moved up-field they scored too easily as hooker Nathan Huish plunged over for 7-5.

Before the interval Neath got on the scoreboard again. First winger Matthew Jenkins scored after a lovely run and link by full back Llewellyn Hawkes to make it 12-5.

He was quickly followed by scrum-half Rhodri Cole who robbed Keys to get Neath’s third at a scrum near the Keys line and Williams converted.

Half-time – Neath 19 points Cross Keys 5 points

 Neath bagged the bonus point soon after the interval when another clinical Hawkes incursion sent Matthew Jenkins away for his second try and Steff Williams converted and it was 26-5.

Thereafter as far as the scoring was concerned it went tit for tat with Neath remaining on top but every time they scored they gave one away – hence the coaches’ concern.

Steff Williams darted and jinked his way through away defenders for his try and flanker Gethin Tremlett touched down after some good driving play by the forwards.

Neath took the opportunity to get some for game time into returning lock Cai Arnold and introduced a trio of 19 year old backs from the bench.

Their last effort was a superlative score by young replacement winger Nathan Orrells. Sent on his way by promising debutant Elli Evans of Bryncoch and a perfectly-timed pass by Rhodri Wall, the Resolven winger showed pace to get away and dazzling side-steps to wrong-foot the last defenders.

The admirable Williams converted all three thus raising his personal tally to 17 points but Keys, as is their wont, never gave up and were rewarded with a bonus point for three second-half tries of their own by wing Duan Thomas and replacements prop Jack Lock and flanker Louis Pullen, centre Adam Tetley converting one.

Finally, a word on the healthy congregation which witnessed this affair. Signs are that Neath’s crowds are on the up. It seems that the new Premiership, without its attendant regional distortions, is to the liking of rugby followers and, with the All Blacks currently averaging over 5 tries per game, let us hope that it continues when Neath are next home on October 19 to Ystrad Rhondda.

Next Saturday sees the start of the WRU Cup and Neath visit Brecon for the second time in four weeks. Since the teams last met, Brecon have won at Cross Keys and home to Newcastle Emlyn and Neath will have to step up the challenge if they are to succeed.

NEATH – L.Hawkes; M.Jenkins (E.Evans), R.Wall, K.Charles, K.Morgan (N.Orrells); S.Williams, R.Cole (E.Lewis); G.W.Lloyd (J.Jones), K.Jones (J.Clark), E.Hopkins (M.Morgan); M.Davies (C.Arnold), J.Blackmore; C.Williams (D.Watkins), B.Williams (capt), G.Tremlett

CROSS KEYS – A.Jones (J.Smith); R.Miller, A.Tetley, T.Sullivan (capt), D.Thomas (K.Vodden); B.Elliott, T.Bridge (D.Babos) ; J.Wisniewski (R.Hunt), N.Huish (J.Lock), T.Burnham (R.Cornock); J.Wall (S.Llewellyn), C.Hague; J.Davies (L.Pullen), C.Davies, W.Morgan

Referee – Mr. E.Mayor (Cardiff)

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