Maesteg (formed in 1877 with the help of a couple of Neath players) first played the Welsh All Blacks on a miserable midwinter Saturday, January 12, 1900 when Neath captured Maesteg’s ground record after Willie Arnold, a future Wales international, “beat two thirds of the team” on a 60-yard run for a try which Wales reserve full back Joe Davies converted for a 5-3 win.

Thereafter, the two clubs played each other regularly twice a season and a visit to the Old Parish was never straightforward. Welsh rugby underwent fundamental change in the 1990’s and Maesteg’s fortunes have fluctuated since but last season they were promoted to Division 3 West Central and, while not as formidable as old, they remain a good, solid club that will climb again.

Rugby football was first played in Neath in 1864 but rarely can the Welsh All Blacks have played on a ground baked as hard as this and the grass at Llynfi Road was bleached almost white in conditions rather reminiscent of the old films of the British Lions on the South African veldt in 1974.

The Maesteg welcome was as warm as the weather and the All Blacks took the opportunity to take a look at some of the many youngsters who have been training at The Gnoll over the past weeks in a raw squad which featured a dozen debutants and others returning from long-term injuries.

Flanker Will Pope had the honour of leading out the All Blacks on just his 15th appearance but Neath were slow to gel; indeed, Maesteg made a good start and took the lead as centre Bailey Freeman latched on to a loose midfield pass to score at the posts and outside-half Thomas George converted.

However, as Neath gradually gained cohesion so they gathered momentum and a powerful driving maul saw the backs freed and centre Sam Harris glided in for a try which outside-half Ryan Callaghan converted.

After a very necessary hydration break Neath began to dominate as another undeniable  maul covered fully 25 metres for hooker Kian Jones, scorer of 18 tries last season, to touch down and Ryan Callaghan again added the extras.

A splendid break and well-timed pass by Llewellyn Hawkes, playing at centre, paved the way for a third try by ex-Swansea winger Willis Wood which Ryan Callaghan converted.

Neath stretched the defence again for a try on the right by winger Kieran Tantum, brother of regular scrum-half Connor, and again Ryan Callaghan goaled so it was 28-7 to the All Blacks.

Flanker Rhys Barrow was denied a score but the fifth try, converted by Ryan Callaghan,   was not long in coming as replacement Gethin Tremlett, eager to perform against his old club, crossed from close range.

Young Tremlett somewhat blotted his copy-book from the re-start and Maesteg hit back with a short-range try from a penalty by former Neath forward Scott Hicks, still a strong force, and George converted for 35-14.

A third Neath wing got his debut try when good support running led to Locky Barron going over for the sixth which was converted by replacement Paul Short who happily grabbed a few minutes action after breaking his arm in the WRU Cup semi-final against Llanelli Wanderers last January, and it was 42-14.

But Maesteg, encouraged by the borrowed Neath prop Marley Lovell, kept going and flanker Iestyn Tremlett (brother of Gethin) collected their third try which George converted before Neath struck for their seventh try through young No.8 Steffan Jenkins and Paul Short converted.

That completed the scoring as referee Mark Jones (Bridgend) sensibly called time a little early on an entertaining display which was enjoyed by a pleasing shirt-sleeved crowd.

Neath head coach Tim Ryan was reasonably pleased with the way things went with five players returning unscathed after long-term injuries suffered last season and new recruits showing up well.

Equally as importantly, there were no serious injuries on the concrete-like ground and both sides hopefully took something out of the fixture and will be the better for this early exchange.

MAESTEG – K Thomas; L Smith, B Freeman,  R Thomas, B Thomas; T George, Z Davies; L Williams, S Davies, S Hicks; D Roderick, L Ball; C Tatchell, C Oatley, I Tremlett   Repl. J Williams, I Jeffery, J Dixon, M Lovell, C Davies

NEATH – M Meaclem;  K Tantum, L Hawkes, S Harris, W Wood; R Callaghan, S Evans; B Uphill, K Jones, K Harris; J Phillips, B Thomas; R Barrow, E R Lewis, W Pope (captain)   Repl. L Barron, O Clarke, P Short, S Williams, M Hughes, L Jones, J Hughes, M Davies, S Minto, S Jenkins, G Tremlett

Referee – Mr M Jones (Bridgend)