Neath through in thriller

Neath 23 Beziers 18

Beziers showed all their flair during the closing stages as they looked for a try but the Neath defence held out.

Early Neath dominance only reaped a penalty on 21 minutes by fly-half Lee Jarvis but Beziers hit back with a sparkling try. Captain Pierre Mignoni breached the Neath defence to send lock Ghezal over in the corner.

Argentinian Gonzalo Quesada converted before extending his side’s lead with a penalty before Jarvis replied.

In injury time in the first half, Neath flanker Alfie Mocelutu scrambled over near the post for Jarvis to add the extra points. Jarvis kicked his third penalty early in the second half.

Centre Jean-Marc Aue broke a tackle to break clear for a fine try before scrum-half Mignoni gave his side the lead with a drop goal.

Neath regained the lead 10 minutes from time as Gareth Morris raced clear for Jarvis to convert from wide.

Scorers for Neath: Tries: G. Morris, A. Newman. Cons: Jarvis 2. Pens: Jarvis 3.

Beziers: Tries: Aue, Ghezal. Cons: Quesada. Pens: Quesada. Drop Goal: Mignoni.

NEATH: Durston, G. Morris, Storey, Tiueti, Marsden, Jarvis, A. Moore, D. Jones, B. Williams, A. Jones, A. Newman, G. Llewellyn, Mocelutu, Tandy, R. Phillips.

BEZIERS: Bonetti, Escalles, Aue, Grandclaude, Desjardin, Quesada, Mignoni, S. Chobet, Swarzewski, Bonorino, Ghezal, Nadiradze, Martinez, Gardiner, Gommard.

Parker Pens Challenge Cup Quarter-final, first leg: Saracens 31, Newcastle 10.