But it wasn’t to be – a turnover while on attack proved match-breaking as Neath fly-half Shaun Connor toed the loose ball ahead. Winger Sean Marsden won the race for the ball and the All Blacks were back into a comfortable lead, which they extended to record a 41-23 win.
Caerphilly No 8 Karl Hocking, on loan from Bridgend, produced the try of the match when he ran 40 metres before chipping Neath fullback Adrian Durstan and regathering superbly in the conditions.
The effort proved in vain, however, with late tries to replacement Shane Williams and centre Dave Tuieti giving the visitors an extremely flattering scoreline.
At Eugene Cross Park, unwanted Wales international Dafydd James scored a crucial try in Bridgend’s 7-6 win over Ebbw Vale in atrocious conditions.
Talented home fly-half Mark Meenan ignored the almost unplayable weather in the opening half to give his side a valuable 6-0 lead at the break, including a snap dropped goal in the final minute of the half.
The Steelmen had the benefit of the wind and rain in the second stanza but Bridgend made all the play. Ebbw Vale held firm under immense pressure, but it told 23 minutes into the half.
Former Ebbw Vale backrower Nathan Budgett stole his old side’s lineout ball, and New Zealand fly-half Simon Mannix fired out a long pass to James, who ran in from 5 metres. Warlow’s conversion gave his side the crucial one-point lead.
The Swansea-Newport match, which was to mark the debut of new Rodney Parade signing Percy Montgomery, was called off because of a waterlogged pitch at St Helen’s.
