Neath continued their winning ways but, overcoming a first-half deficit, left it late to avoid a potential banana-skin at Llangennech where few sides have an easy ride – Neath did not expect one, nor did they get it !

The worst of Storm Amy by-passed South Wales : the rains relented but the wind blew strongly downfield and Neath, minus several regulars, made several changes.

Among the inclusions were prop Tarik Dabeh for his first start of the season, lively scrum-half Jacob Daniel and hard-carrying lock Josh Hughes for their first league starts and two debut-making Morristonians in centre Ethan Bolche and back-rower Sam Morgan, both Ospreys Under-18’s, on the bench.

All did well in a generally scruffy Neath display in which the All Blacks’ indefatigable spirit ultimately subdued the ever-competitive home side who were well-led as usual by flanker Shaun Edwards to claim the honours – and five vital points.

The game was delayed by 15 minutes as the referee was stuck in traffic on the M4 and a healthy crowd was in good mood as Neath kicked off.

Llangennech had first use of the wind and soon made the most of it when a defensive slip by the visitors – a la the opening minutes at Brecon – gifted them the first score as too much space was afforded speedy wing Callum Woolley who sailed in for the opening try which experienced outside-half Steff Marshall goaled for 7-nil.

Neath drew level when good hands and splendid inter-passing between skipper Ben Williams and winger Ki Morgan saw the latter dash over for Neath’s first try and outside-half Paul Short converted to make it 7-7.

Energetic Llangennech scored again when Neath failed to deal with a cross-kick and that man Woolley nipped in for his second try which Marshall converted for 7-14. Neath retaliated with some strong forward play and Llangennech conceded four penalties in their own 22 but surprisingly the referee did not reach for his yellow-card.

From another penalty, Neath opted for a scrum instead of a line-out but, when they moved the ball wide, disaster struck. Long passing in a high wind rarely meets with success and it didn’t this time – or rather it did for Llangennech as Callum Woolley plucked the ball out of the air and raced 90 metres for a sucker try at the other end. Marshall’s conversion made it 7-21 instead of the 14-14 it may have been.

To make matters worse, Ki Morgan – fast becoming a serial offender – was yellow-carded for a knock-down when seeking an interception and Neath were really up against it when Marshall kicked a penalty for 7-24.

The Neath forwards lifted their game once more and lock Matthew Davies forced his way over for Neath’s second try after the pack rolled back Llangennech and Paul Short’s conversion kept Neath in the hunt before Marshall landed his second penalty as the interval beckoned.

Half-time – Llangennech 27 pts Neath 14 pts

 A two-score deficit into the wind was just about retrievable but Neath needed to respond quickly and, after Marshall was yellow-carded, they did so through a well-worked third try by determined centre Sean Wilcox and Paul Short’s conversion made it 21-27 and just one score in it.

There was a lengthy stoppage for an injury to Neath wing Llewellyn Hawkes after a tip-tackle for which a Llangennech forward was rightly yellow-carded. Ki Morgan, knocking on again, might have suffered the same fate from a less kind referee as Neath sought to get in front but the line-out – their Achilles heel – faltered and Marshall extended Llangennech’s lead to 21-30 with his third penalty.

Still, Neath’s scrum was taking its toll and Llangennech’s fresh front row made little difference. The All Blacks established a good position; this time the line-out functioned and, from flanker Jacob Blackmore’s take, hooker Sion Jones forced his way over for his sixth try of the season – it gave Neath the try-bonus …but at 26-30 they needed another try to win it.

The All Blacks kept up the pressure and, as their attacking scrum advanced, the referee surprisingly ruled that Neath had collapsed it and awarded Llangennech a relieving penalty.

Cheered on by their strong travelling support, Neath had the bit between their teeth now and were not to be denied as they pushed hard for victory. Great work by Ben Williams and excellent handling by the back-line freed Ki Morgan for his second try which Paul Short converted to put Neath in front and the All Blacks stayed in control to seal the game.

It was a close-run thing and both sides had contributed to an entertaining affair in blustery conditions which kept the touch-line throngs captivated. Neath had not been at their best but another win puts them in good heart for next week’s clash at The Gnoll with second-placed Beddau who have won all four games to date.

Kick off will be at 2.30pm and, with the weather set fair, it promises to be a very keen contest as the All Blacks seek to leap-frog the Mid Glamorgan side. Llangennech too have a key clash against neighbouring Llanelli Wanderers and the battle for the Premiership is warming up.

LLANGENNECH – L Davies; C Woolley, E Wilson, W Thomas, H Button; S Marshall, T Morgan; I Jones, T Curry, B Lee; J Evans, O Davies; B Thomas, J Saunders, S Edwards (capt)  Repl. T Evans O Evans G George, J Price C Williams A Morgan F Cooke L Pike

NEATH – I Morgan (E Bolche); L Hawkes (C Williams), J Bayliss, S Wilcox, K Morgan; P Short, J Daniel (K Davies); O Watts, S Jones, T Dabeh (M Morgan); M Davies, J Hughes (S Morgan); J Blackmore, B Williams (capt), G Tremlett   Other Repl.  J Jones, K Jones, J Evans

Referee – Mr K Young (Chepstow)