Edinburgh Reivers produced a storming second-half performance, scoring 30 points without reply, to avenge their defeat by Neath in the Welsh-Scottish League earlier in the season.

On a cool night in Jedburgh, Reivers took an early 10-0 lead before Neath, mainly through the boot of Shane Williams, turned the game round to lead 19-13 at the interval.

Duncan Hodge's drop goal on the stroke of half-time proved crucial for the Reivers and the Welsh were unable to match their opponents forward power and pace in the second half. In the space of 10 minutes the score jumped from 23-19 to 43-19.

It all began well for Reivers when centre Marcus di Rollo started and finished a flowing move, with Hodge making the break and Don Mackinnon providing the link.

Hodge then added a penalty before Williams cut the deficit, also with a penalty and then prop Andrew Millward was on hand to touchdown after a breathtaking run by centre Tevita Tiueti and Williams' conversion levelled the score.

Reivers were now on the back foot and three further Williams penalties put Neath in control until Hodge's crucial drop goal in the final minute of the half kept the home side's hopes alive.

Raced

Hodge kicked his second penalty in the opening minute of the second half and six minutes later the stand-off took a quick penalty to send Kevin Utterson over for a try, which Hodge converted.

Reivers continued to dominate. Hodge was again successful with a goal kick before replacement Graham Shiel made the game safe for Reivers.

First he dropped a goal in 68 minutes and a minute later he raced into space to give Conan Sharman the scoring pass for the try which Hodge converted.

Reivers were not finished and two minutes later replacement Iain Sinclair, who had come on for the captain Mackinnon - off with a shoulder injury - added try number four and Hodge's conversion completed a very satisfactory night for the Reivers.

Edinburgh Reivers: Tries: Di Rollo, Utterson, Sharman, Sinclair. Cons: Hodge 4. Pens: Hodge 3. Drop Goals: Hodge, Shiel.

Neath: Tries: Millward. Cons: S. Williams. Pens: S. Williams 4.

Att: 500

Teams -

Edinburgh Reivers: Paterson; Murray, Di Rollo, Utterson, Sharman; Hodge, Burns; Jacobsen, Smith, Scott, Fullarton, A. Dall, Mackinnon, Leslie, G. Dall.
Replacements: Robertson, Douglas, Simpson, Sinclair, Fairley, Shiel, Joiner.

Neath: Morris; K. James, Storey, Tiueti, S. Williams; Horgan, Booth; D. Jones, S. Jones, Millward, Martin, Llewellyn, Tuipulotu, Bonner-Evans, Sinkinson.
Replacements: Pugh, T. Davies, Davies., Tandy, Jackson, P. Jones, Howell.

Referee: I Ramage (Berwick, SRFU).