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.
These include the original loss of the Borders railway in the 1960s, the loss of the Border Reivers professional rugby team and the lack of improvement to local trunk roads.
But Mr Fraser was a devoted son of the borders, born in Carlisle and writing both fact and fiction about the ruffian-reivers and cattle-stealers of the region: men who, in their shameless venturing and whoring and disrespect for law, were quite a lot like old Flashy, except that they were brave.
Brackenhill became the most southerly outpost of the "border reivers" - outlaws operating on the outskirts of land patrolled by the monarch's men.
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The Scots trudged off the Netherdale pitch for the last time as Reivers players, their team a victim of cost-cutting, and Townsend for the last time as a professional.
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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.
The west Glamorgan side have a strong chance of claiming the title, but must win at the Dragons on Tuesday and at Border Reivers on Saturday.
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.
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.
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