Friday night’s storms may have left The Gnoll looking magnificent and unscathed but Neath were hit by a hurricane in the shape of Merthyr who showed why they are rated favourites to win the WRU Premiership this season.

The Ironmen were helped on their way by some shoddy Neath defending – individual more than collective – which was not of the standard required by wearers of the All Black shirt.

Those errors contrived to condemn Neath to a nil-28 half-time deficit – result and bonus point already decided – before the All Blacks emerged with more purpose after the interval.

Ex-Dragons hooker Ellis Shipp put Merthyr in control with two tries in the 10th and 20th minutes – the first from a standard forward rumble, the second after the first of Neath’s defensive calamities.

Outside-half Ben Jones converted both to make it nil-14 before Neath launched their first serious attack. Another disaster for Neath ensued when a loose pass was picked off and wing Adam Hoskins nipped in for a try which Finn Baker on the other flank emulated in the 35th minute for the try-bonus, Jones converting both.

When Neath managed to get into the right areas, they appeared to have scored but the trywas ruled out and Neath pressed before the interval without reward as powerhouse visiting lock Craig Locke was sin-binnedwhen a score seemed imminent.

Half-time – Neath nil, Merthyr 28 points

The All Blacks came out with more intent after the interval and a break by centre Kieran Charles might have led to better things had he found scrum-half Rhodri Cole on his inside.

Still, Neath strove hard to inject some momentum and they were rewarded with a try by lock Matthew Davies. Things got even better for the All Blacks when one of several clean lineout takes by Jacob Blackmore saw Cole get his chance as he skated over for Neath’s second try which outside-half Steff Williams converted.

Home supporters in the commendable four-figure crowd – a fine effort so early in the season – might have sniffed a chance of a remarkable turnaround but defensive laxity again allowed Merthyr through almost immediately, the accomplished Ben Jones given far too much room to produce a try for scrum-half Dafydd Land.

Neath continued to pressurise Merthyr who conceded a second yellow card for persistent offending but the home defence melted again for a try by full back Jac Lloyd which Jones converted.

The home side were still snapping away though as the forwards willingly contested the set-pieces and replacement winger Ki Morgan nipped in for an interception try which Steff Williams converted. But Williams blotted his copybook when he was yellow-carded for a late tackle in the build up to a seventh try for Merthyr which was awarded to prop James Savery.

Neath’s fitness again held them in good stead but they failed to heed the lessons of the Swansea warm-up game – they simply must stop giving away soft tries and stay in the game for that fitness to shine through.

The four games at The Gnoll this term have produced some 38 tries – very entertaining  for those who measure their enjoyment thus but most Neath supporters will be looking for a more pragmatic approach : score tries but don’t concede !

Next Saturday, the All Blacks visit Brecon for the first time in 52 years and they will need to up their game against the Breconians who will be smarting after losing their own opening game at Newbridge.

NEATH – L.Evans (J.Dixon); M.Jenkins (K.Morgan), S.Wilcox, K.Charles, R.Griffiths; S.Williams, R.Cole (E.Lewis); J.Powell, (G.W.Lloyd), J.Clark (K.Jones), M.Morgan (J.Jones); M.Davies, J.Blackmore (D.Watkins); C.Williams (S.Gardner), B.Williams (capt), G.Tremlett

MERTHYR – J.Lloyd; A.Hoskins, C.Swannack (S.Ripley), R.Davies, F.Baker (D.Thomas); B.Jones, D.Land (L.Caviel); T.Hawkins (J.Savery), E.Shipp (R.Hughes), R.Lewis (M.Green); C.Locke, P.McBride (capt); J.Perkins (C.Lloyd) A.Evans (T.Davies), K.Evans

Referee – Mr. G.Newman (Abergavenny)

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