Blacks beaten but unbowed (From Western Telegraph)

Blacks beaten but unbowed

Neyland 19 Mountain Ash 27

For more than 60 minutes of their match against Mountain Ash, of the Third Division, Neyland were able to give as good as they got, matching the side only relegated from the second division last season in terms of effort, skill and commitment as the score stood at 19-19.

Leading the way was nippy scrum half Mark Riley, who was involved in all that the All Blacks did until he was forced to go off with an injury and the last quarter - and with his departure the homesters seemed to lose a little shape as they were forced to make their second major reshuffle of the match, allowing the Old Firm to snatch the late points that saw them mightily relieved to head for home with the win.

Mountain Ash received the early boost of a soft try as Neyland failed to find touch and were put under unnecessary pressure so that No 8 and skipper Rhys Miles was able to plough over for an unconverted try.

But the All Blacks rolled up their sleeves and charged back up the hill as skipper Chris Busby and cousin Tony Busby took good lineout ball for Colin Picton, Adrian Riley and Scott Gregory to drive forward, with Mark Riley always urging them on. The All Blacks even managed to gain scrum ball as Mark Smith defied a niggling injury to pack down alongside Richard Banner and Martyn Dawes - and they deservedly drew level when Picton burst away from a lineout won by the Busby boys. He was held just short and the ubiquitous Mark Riley was perfectly placed to pick up and score.

Neyland took the lead when Nicky Greggain intercepted on the 22 and sped clear, only to be brought down just short of a try - but the referee spotted some illegality as prop Lee Perkins was taken out and awarded a penalty try which Greggain goaled.

This set-back stung Mountain Ash into raising their tempo and they grabbed two tries just on the interval, the first coming from centre Chris Piles and then co-centre Ryan Davies. Fly half Matthew Turner slotted one conversion and the Old Firm were 19-12 in front.

Neyland deserve every credit for not folding at this stage, with Steve Evans using his experience to steady the midfield and Greg Miller in top form at full back as they defended well before breaking out via Riley, Picton and the boot of Greggain. It was Mark Riley who gave them the chance to level matters as he made a half break and chipped ahead to set up a scrum five from which the powerful Colin Picton did well to slip the tackle and score a try which Greggain converted.

At this stage it was anybodys game but the departure of Riley, forcing Picton to go to scrum half so that Ben Lloyd could play up front, inevitably caused problems since another change involving the replacement of Tony Busby meant that Steve Roberts came on as winger, Stuart Phillips switching to the back row.

Mountain Ash broke the deadlock when winger Lee Meredith scored despite making contact with the ground. Turner missed the conversion but slotted a penalty before Neyland camped in the visitors 22 in the last five minutes.

But their efforts didnt bring the hoped-for scores and Mountain Ash claimed their expected victory - but readily admitted they had been pushed all the way by Tony Huddlestons battling All Blacks!

Neyland: Greg Miller: Simon Phillips; Lee Perkins; Steve Evans; Jason Riley: Nicky Greggain; Mark Riley: Martyn Dawes; Richard Banner; Mark Smith: Chris Busby; Tony Busby: Adrian Riley; Scott Gregory; Colin Picton. Replacements: Ben Lloyd; Steve Roberts.