Neyland 32 Bettws 12

Two tries in the final quarter by livewire back row man Colin Picton set the seal on a Neyland win at the Athletic Ground against visiting Bettws.

The All Blacks were good value as they raced into a 15-point interval lead and were 22 points in front when they took a short siesta where Bettws bounced back with two tries of their own - but Picton pounced as the All Blacks dominated the set pieces to seal another good win for Tony Huddlestons team.

Huddleston is a great believer in hard work and it is beginning to pay off for his side because they look sharp about the field as Paul Power and Mark Riley link with veteran Mathew Williams in a strong spine for the team. Chris Busby ruled the linesout, as he has done for most of the season, alongside Ben Lloyd, while the front row of Martyn Dawes, Richard Banner and Mark Smith deserve a special mention as unsung heroes in the side.

Dawes was back after a neck injury and played on top form, Mark Smith marked another impressive display with his first senior try for the club, while hooker Banner also scored and was nominated as man of the match for his all-action display.

It was the burly Smith who set the All Blacks on the way with the opening score after a strong forward drive featuring the busy Adrian Riley and Williams before Picton charged through. He sent Martin Tamilia on a gallop and the centre seemed certain to score, only to be held up just short of the line. But he did well to set up a ruck and Smith was first on the scene to pick up and crash over.

Nicky Greggain missed the conversion and a penalty attempt, opposite number Gavin Davies also being off-target for Bettws on a rare raid into Neyland territory before the All Blacks capitalised on two errors to grab further tries.

The first came after a clearance kick had been charged down and the skilful Greg Miller made a superb one-handed pick-up before moving right at pace and releasing Ben Lloyd, who in turn found hooker Banner delighted to take the scoring pass.

Then it was the turn of Tamilia, looking back to his beligerent best in the centre alongside Lee Perkins, to score the third Neyland try with a powerful surge to the Bettws line.

The second half started with Bettws almost scoring from an interception but Greg Miller not only managed to get back to tackle Cellan Davies but also held up the supporting Paul Reynolds until the All Black cover arrived. It was a cracking piece of defence that paid dividends because within minutes the home side scored their best try of the day from Tamilia after Mark Riley broke from midfield and off-loaded for Ted Tamilia to speed down the slope and score at the posts for Mark Riley to add the extra points.

Bettws had their best period midway through the half as Cellan Davies ran in for a try after his forwards had at last won decent lineout possession and there were warning signs for the All Blacks as big centre Wayne Comely scored straight from the kick-off for Gavin Davies to convert.

But these reverses stung Neyland into raising the tempo and Picton scored after Mathew Williams had done the spade-work, as he so often does. Then another clean take by skipper Busby set up a drive from which Picton emerged with the ball to complete the scoring - and round off another good day for the in-form All Blacks.

Neyland: Nick Greggain: Greg Miller; Lee Perkins; Martin Tamilia; Jason Riley (Steve Evans): Mark Riley; Paul Power: Martyn Dawes; Richard Banner; Mark Smith: Ben Lloyd; Chris Busby: Adrian Riley (Simon Phillips); Colin Picton; Mathew Williams.