Milford Haven 24.

Neyland 26.

TWENTY-one unanswered points in the final quarter allowed Neyland to stage the Great Escape' at the Observatory Ground as Milford showed their inexperience in letting a 24-5 lead slip through their fingers.

A last-ditch try by winger Delme Bateman hauled Neyland level and full back Mark Riley secured the winning points from wide out with the very last kick of an absorbing local derby.

Milford had already won 29-19 at the Athletic Ground and a similar score seemed likely after the All Blacks had trailed 14-5 at the break, with Ian Rusinek again showed his worth to the Mariners with three early penalties, two from long range, and a solo try where he cut the cover defence to pieces.

All Neyland had to show for their efforts was a try from Martin Roberts, and they went further behind in the opening ten minutes of the second period when second row Paul Young scored his first league try and this was followed by a try from Dan Devine, although both conversions were missed from eminently kickable positions.

But that hardly seemed to matter until Mathew Williams was joined by Chris Busby, Ben Lloyd and the rest of the Neyland pack in laying the basis for a come-back where flanker Mark Chamberlain bustled his way to the pots and Martin Roberts claimed another try, both converted by full back Mark Riley's trusty left boot.

With just a five-point advantage Milford were under pressure but they looked like holding out until those last few moments when quick hands gave Bateman just the space the pocket-battleship winger needs and Riley converted with a super kick to gain revenge for the All Blacks' home defeat.

Milford were understandably disappointed, with coach Alan McClelland admitting afterwards: "We are gutted. I know we have so many young players but we must learn to shut teams out when we have played as well as we did here for 60 minutes. Fair play to Neyland, they fought back well so we can't grumble but we really could have done with more than a bonus point after so much effort."

Milford Haven: Leigh Broome; Dan Devine; Wayne Sprowell; Dean Matthews; Matthew Reynolds; Ian Rusinek; Aaron Sprowell; Jamie Parr (Dean Hadley); Craig Smith; James Passmore (Jack Kinnersley); Paul Young; Carl Allen; Ben Johnston; Dai Sweeney (Scott Walters); Mark Wonnacott (Capt). Replacement (not used): Lyndon Griffiths.

Neyland: Mark Riley; Martin Roberts; Steve Hamer; Adam Collins; Delme Bateman; Mark Hamer (Andrew Charnley); Mathew Williams (Capt); Ben Lloyd; Craig Bennett; Robert Codd; Mark James (Gareth Hein); Carl Britton (Tony Smith-Howell); Andrew Slark; Mark Chamberlain; Chris Busby. Replacement (not used): Steve Evans.