NEATH recorded their 15th bonus point win in the league this season but, having settled the result five minutes into the second-half, they flattered to deceive against a game Trebanos side who never gave up and finished stronger. Neath pressed the re-set button making 10 changes in the starting line-up for this game β second from top against second from bottom β and, playing with a blustery wind behind them, the All Blacks took an early lead.
Switching play from side to side with strong, direct interventions by centre Sion Wilcox and No. The home side remained on top and powerful driving work by the Neath eight frequently had Trebanos back-pedalling. Trebanos lost prop Jordan Walters, one of two Aberavon men on permit, to a yellow card but their back row of Cellan Michael, Cameron Loveys and Casey Williams got through a tremendous amount of work as Neath made most of the running.
Steff Williams added the conversion points so it was nil at the interval β one more try was needed for the bonus and Neath wasted little time in getting it! The writing was on the wall for Trebanos once Neath established an attacking position on the Sustained work by all the forwards softened up a determined defence, the ball was re-cycled repeatedly and eventually the All Blacks isolated a defender and Steff Williams was over for the fourth try which he converted himself to reach points for the season.
At nil it was almost game over but Neath disappointed in not pressing home. A nasty-looking injury to Crocker did not help although his replacement Evan Kneath played very well and Steff Williams also went off with as facial injury to be replaced by Rhys Harris who joined Neath from Trebanos.
As the rain got heavier, both sides continued to show plenty of effort but there was little precision. Neath had taken their foot off the gas and, as the game stuttered towards its conclusion, Trebanos made all the late running and their never-say-die enterprise brought them two well-deserved late scores by winger Iestyn Lewis β this a particularly fine score which earned generous applause from the home crowd β and hooker Connor Thomas, Willis Wood converting one.
