With a new coaching set-up and a number of new players, the Welsh All Blacks sent out a side with 10 new faces as they looked to secure a home win.
And after the game had kicked off, it was Neil Edwards’ Neath side who got off to a quick start. No. 8 Jordan Collier crossed for the opening try with centre Adam Jones converting and then trading penalties with Llanelli fly-half Josh Lewis.
It had been a good start for the home side and it was soon to get ever better. Jones added two more penalties to one from Lewis to make the score 16-6.
The score remained the same up until the half time whistle, giving Neath real hope of an opening day win.
In the second half, Llanelli went close on a number of occasions – their threat eventually providing a reward when Steffan Evans crossed for fly-half Lewis to convert.
It was Anthony Buchanan’s side who were now in the ascendency and they soon moved into the lead. A third Lewis penalty tied the scores before centre Chris Keenan set up Lewis for a try of his own. The fly half converted and then watched on as wing Dafydd Lewis crossed on his debut.
That was that and Llanelli closed out the win expertly. The only downside for Llanelli was news that Keenan had broken his leg and looks set to miss most of the season.
