Neath continued their charge towards a third Welsh-Scottish League title with
a comprehensive defeat of Parker Pen Shield finalists Pontypridd at the Gnoll.
Neath crossed for five tries in all, four of them in a scintillating second
half performance.
It set up an intriguing local derby with age old rivals Swansea at St Helens
on Tuesday night with a league title possibly up for grabs for Lyn Jones' side.
The impressive boot of top point scorer Lee Jarvis-- who finished with a
personal tally of 22 points - saw them build up a 12-3 lead inside the opening
25 minutes.
Full-back Brett Davey had replied with a penalty for Ponty, who were on the
back foot for long periods of the half.
However, a poor clearance by Neath full-back Shaun Connor gave Ponty right
winger Matthew Nuttall an opportunity to counter-attack midway through the
half.
After the Neath defence made a hash of clearing the ball the young winger
pounced to give the visitors some hope.
But when their number eight Glen Remnant was sent to the sin-bin just before
the break Neath struck back in determined fashion.
International lock Gareth Llewellyn powered over from a close-range line-out,
converted by Jarvis.
But for all their pressure late on Neath failed to extend their advantage
before the break, despite prop Duncan Bell also seeing yellow for the visitors.
After the break there was only one side in it as Neath turned up the pressure
and Ponty began to visibly tire following their European heroics last weekend.
A well-worked try by centre James Storey started the ball rolling in the
second half.
And he was followed over the whitewash by Tongan centre Dave Tiueti, left wing
Dean Dewdney and impressive scrum-half Andy Moore with a fine individual score.
Ponty's lone reply was a penalty by Davey, and they could have had few
complaints at the extent of their defeat at the final whistle.
Teams
Neath: Connor, K. James, Tiueti, Storey, Dewdney, Jarvis,
A. Moore, D. Jones, B. Williams, Millward, Martin, Llewellyn,
Mocelutu, Sinkinson, Bonner-Evans.
Not Used: G. Morris, A. Bateman, S. Jones, Francis, L. Bateman,
P. James, A. Jones.
Tries: Tiueti, Storey, Dewdney, A. Moore, Llewellyn.
Cons: Jarvis 5.
Pens: Jarvis 4.
Pontypridd: Davey, Wyatt, J. Lewis, Bryant,
Nuttall, Little,
Baber, Jenkins, Davies, Bell, Cockbain, McIntosh, Field,
Harris, Remnant.
Not Used: John, Sweeney, Parker, M. Rees, Cronk, Kelly, Parks.
Tries: Nuttall.
Pens: Davey 3.
Att: 4,000
Ref: Nigel Williams (Wales).
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