NEATH continued their promising start to the season by eliminating holders Pontypridd from this season’s WRU Cup in a cracking encounter at The Gnoll played out before another appreciable – and appreciative – crowd who created a grand atmosphere.

135 years of rich rugby tradition have produced many an exciting affair between these famous old rivals and this one – the club game’s match of the day – was forecast to be the same.

Pontypridd reverted to much the same side which lifted the Cup against Cross Keys last April while Neath made only two starting changes from the side which won 47-12 at Brecon the week before but were forced into a third change when scum-half Connor Tantum pulled up late in the warm-up and was replaced by Kaden Davies with Jacob Daniel coming onto the bench.

On an overcast – but thankfully dry – afternoon, the late re-shuffle did not seem to harm Neath too much as the tackles thundered in from the start. Neath lost centre Kieran Charles in their first attack so Sam Harris slotted smoothly into his normal centre role.

Flanker Gethin Tremlett set the tone for Neath with a couple of heavy hits early on as the All Blacks’ set out their stall with their aggressive defence as the game rapidly settled into a hard-fought affair.

After 20 minutes Neath took the lead as the forwards, gradually building up a head of steam, smashed their way towards the line and Pontypridd hooker Connor Hughes was yellow-carded.

“Penalty try !” cried the home supporters – not given but they did not have to wait long as another powerful, concerted drive off lock Jacob Blackmore’s take saw skipper and No.8 Ben Williams bundle his way over and outside-half Paul Short added the conversion points for 7-nil.

Neath wasted little time in adding to their score as replacement winger Ki Morgan embarked upon a flashing run, weaving his way past defender after defender and not needing his attendant support runners as he arrowed to the posts for Neath’s second try – a splendid individual effort – which Paul Short converted for 14-nil.

But five minutes of madness saw Pontypridd back in it. On the half-hour, the visitors took full advantage of a penalty award to establish position and good handling resulted in evergreen full back Dale Stuckey crossing for Pontypridd’s opening try which made it 14-5.

From the re-start, Neath lost hooker Sion Jones, yellow-carded for a silly late challenge – and the penalty took Pontypridd straight back to Neath territory where they retained possession through the phases to make the extra man count as centre Stuart Floyd-Ellis crossed for their second try which outside-half Jorge Lucey converted to reduce Neath’s lead to 14-12.

However, in the run-up to half-time Neath upped the ante, applied the squeeze and Pontypridd conceded two penalties and up stepped Paul Short to land them both from longish range to ensure that Neath went into the break in a healthy position.

Half-time – Neath 20 points Pontypridd 12 points

Now facing the wind, good work from the re-start by eager replacement and makeshift wing Jacob Daniel ensured that Neath continued to bear down and just 3 minutes in Paul Short extended their lead to 23-14 with his third penalty goal after Pontypridd illegality at the tackle.

Pontypridd were conceding a lot of penalties as they tried to stem the Neath onslaught but it was the home side who lost a man when Ki Morgan was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on.

Now it was Pontypridd’s turn to press and, after Lucey (who did not have his best day with the boot) missed a very kickable penalty, they got their reward midway through the half when that man Floyd-Ellis barged over for his second try which Lucey converted and it was 23-19 and a tense final quarter was in prospect.

When Pontypridd were penalised at a scrum where Neath were looking stronger, Paul Short hit an upright with a long-range penalty attempt – the only slight blemish on his fine afternoon’s display – and this real old-fashioned Cup-tie of thrust and counter-thrust saw both captains warned as the heat was turned up on an already warm affair.

Pontypridd spared no effort in their attempt to retrieve the game and keep their hold on the trophy but Neath were up to the task and their resolution shone through in terrier-like defence which could not be breached.

Both sets of supporters were in good voice as they tried to inspire their team to another score and Neath showed good control to play the territory to clinch an excellent win from a fine contest which was well-controlled by referee Mr. Cai Lewis (Ystradgynlais).

On reflection, both sides will feel that they gave too many penalties – but it was that kind of affair : most came as a result of their opponent’s pressure. Neath’s scrum was secure, the line-out less so and still needs attention but generally it was a well-managed game by Neath to come out on top.

** Next Saturday, it is back to the Premiership with Pontypridd visiting Bargoed and Neath travelling to Llangennech where they will need to produce a similar attitude and effort as the Llanelli-side pushed Pontypridd all the way last week.

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

PONTYPRIDD – D Stuckey; J Williams (C Coxley), S Floyd-Ellis, G Smith, J Davies (I Griffith); J Lucey (J Pugh), J Raikes; B Drew (T Fry), C Hughes (L Tovey), K Mattravers (D Cotterell); J Miles (M Barnard), K Parker; Cai James, I Harris (J Coxley), Cally James (capt)

Referee Mr Cai Lewis (Ystradgynlais)

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