Neath gained their second successive win on the road with a hard-fought – in some ways ‘old-fashioned’ – success on their first visit to Newbridge for 20 years.

Between the end of the Second World War and the coming of leagues, these two fine old clubs enjoyed a keen rivalry and Neath wins at Newbridge had to be battled for – nothing has changed !

Under heavy cloud, the Welfare Ground was in splendid condition and Neath, showing four starting changes from the side which won at Brecon, were rocked at the start when a perfectly executed line-out drive by the big Newbridge pack resulted in a try by hooker and captain Stuart Vokes which full back Eamon Rees goaled.

Newbridge controlled possession and the opening exchanges through the good work of their forwards but perhaps they overdid the kicking game and they could find no way through the committed Neath defenders who were well led all afternoon by skipper Ben Williams.

Neath’s determination and resolve kept them in the game and the All Blacks levelled when sharp replacement winger Ki Morgan nipped in on an interception and raced away to score at the posts and outside-half Steff Williams converted.

The All Blacks got their noses in front when Steff Williams landed a penalty after a high tackle but this was soon equalled by Eamon Rees and an intriguing half ended in high controversy when Neath centre Kieran Charles sped away on a long run to the line but he celebrated too soon and, although his momentum carried him across the try-line, his effort was ruled out by the referee.

The conversion would have been straightforward but Neath had to settle for parity at the interval.

Half-time – Newbridge 10 points, Neath 10 points

 Determined to make amends, Neath opened the second-half strongly and they went ahead when good hands paved the way for a second try by Ki Morgan.

Neath threatened again when flanker Gethin Tremlett’s long kick might have produced better for wing Ryan Griffiths and another strong run by the livewire Morgan backed up by some strong play by the forwards ended in the ball being spilled metres short.

Neath were denied another ‘score’ when scrum-half Ellis Lewis appeared to touch down near the posts after good driving play by the visiting forwards. Yet Newbridge were still a force to be reckoned with as they launched a wave of forward drives which kept the Neath defence fully employed.

With 10 minutes remaining, it was still 15-10 to Neath before a Steff Williams-Robbie Turley penalty exchange made it 18-13 and a Newbridge player was very lucky that the referee did not see a nasty and totally unnecessary tip-tackle on Rhodri Wall which forced the Neath centre from the field.

Neath supporters were incensed  by the incident but their anger turned to joy when great work by Ben Williams and replacement Rhodri Cole freed Kieran Charles who skated in for Neath’s third try thus applying a more clinical end to the second-half than he had to the first.

Steff Williams’ second conversion made the final score 25-13 to Neath who won an enjoyable encounter between two well-matched teams in which victory was earned through rock-solid defence and superior skills behind the scrum.

Next Saturday, the All Blacks return to The Gnoll for another clash with old Gwent friends when Cross Key visit (kick off 2.30pm).

The All Blacks and their supporters will be keen to register their first home win after losing the opener against Merthyr – disappointing as that reverse was, perspective is important, and it is notable that Merthyr have since scored the small matter of 151 points in their next two games.

NEWBRIDGE –  E.Rees (R.Turley); S.Watkins, L.Chess, (R.Davies), J.Thomas, C.Jones; S.Veall, M.Davies (I.Martin-Lloyd); G.Young (M.Kavanagh), S.Vokes (capt) S.Evans (G.Evans); L.Ford, J.Duffy; G.McDonnell, Z.Stuart (M.Preece), M.Jefferies ( L.Morgan)

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

Referee – Mr. G.Newman (Abergavenny)

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