The Principality Premiership and Konica Minolta Cup winners proved too strong for the English side who fielded a team including England and Scottish internationals Dan Scarborough and Gordon Ross.
Neath dominated the game, scoring seven tries and showcasing new boys in black, wing David Evans and outside-half Matt Jarvis.
It was Saracens who first impressed, putting plenty of pressure on the Neath forwards resulting in Neath prop Martin Jones being penalised, Ross easily kicked the penalty to gain Sarries a 0-3 lead.
Sarries Wing Dan Scarborough made a break up the middle of the field, and Ross gained field position with a kick to the corner. Neath’s line-out failed to function as the Anglo-Welsh friendly almost became unfriendly when the opposing sevens had a brief scrap at the back of the line out.
Saracens defence held firm until Neath flanker Gareth Gravell carried the ball over the gain line in the 23rd minute, giving Neath some much needed momentum and a good position on the visitors 22. The powerful forwards rumbled closer to the Sarries line and nippy scrum-half Gareth Williams crossed over for the Blacks first unconverted try, taking the lead at 5-3.
Neaths momentum didn’t last long and with solid defence Saracens had a turnover ball resulting in a try for scrum half Luke Baldwin, with Ross converting to retake the lead 10-5. Shortly after, Sarries Matt Donnelly was yellow carded and Neath took full advantage, scrum-half Williams replied by side-stepping his way to his second try of the evening, Jarvis duly converted and Neath led 12-10 going into the break.
The Blacks started where they finished and an excellent forward drive on the Saracens line saw Captain Lee Beach pick up the spoils, with a try in the 44th minute and conversion from Jarvis to gain a 19-10 lead. Neath’s flanker replacement James Merriman was yellow carded for being offside, and Ross kicked the penalty in front of the posts, 19-13.
Momentum remained with the home side and with 14 men Neath’s tries came in quick succession, new Black, David Evans, flew down the wing to touch down in the corner, replacement prop Martin Jones added another in the 60th minute to gain the advantage at 31-13.
The English side did hit back with a try of their own from prop Sam Staff in the 63rd minute, and a dropped catch by lock Rob Anderson, with a clear path to the Neath line, did see them squander another.
Gareth James added Neath’s sixth try of the evening and the Blacks took control of the last quarter, flanker Merriman redeemed himself with a well worked try to bring the final score to 43-18 and convincing victory for the home side..
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