Pontyates 5.

Neyland 25.

Skipper Mark Chamber-lain returned to action after injury and was able to lead Neyland to a good away win over a Pontyates.

The home side found themselves 15 points adrift at half time and was unable to make any real impact afterwards as the All Blacks played really well into the driving rain and strong wind.

Chamberlain was joined in the back row by Andrew Slark and Martin Roberts, who switched from his normal wing berth to play at No 8 and linked well with veteran scrum half Mathew Williams.

Both got on the scoresheet but it was outside half Mark Riley who opened the scoring with a simple early penalty, with Roberts picking the ball up at the base of a scrum some 15 metres out, dummying a pass to Mathew Williams and striding through to the line. Riley missed the conversion as the ball fell over but made amends when powerful centre Adam Collins made a typical surge for the posts for a trademark try and Riley notched the simple conversion.

The All Blacks made a splendid start to the second period with two tries in the opening five minutes, after Roberts had again picked up at a scrum and this time supplied Mathew Williams with the try-scoring pass, followed by a good try for winger Darren John after he did well to chase a Mark Riley high ball and had a good bounce which put him in the clear.

Pontyates did manage a late try from scrum half Chris Green but the All Blacks battened down the hatches to record an excellent away win.

Both teams observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for Dennis Griffiths, who died earlier in the week. Dennis was one of the famous Griffiths brothers who played so well for the All Blacks and Telegraph Sport would like to offer sincere condolences to Mike Griffiths and the rest of the family.

Neyland: Richard Smith (Gregg Miller), Andrew Hansen, Adam Collins, Steve Hamer, Darren John, Mark Riley, Mathew Williams, Ben Lloyd, Craig Bennett, Robert Codd, Mark James, Carl Britton, Andrew Slark, Mark Chamberlain (Capt), Martin Roberts. Replacements (not used): Chris Busby, Mark Hamer.