Full-back Gareth Morris crossed for a hat-trick of tries to help Neath put one foot in the quarter-finals of the Celtic League after a five-try victory over Ebbw Vale at The Gnoll.

The Welsh All Blacks had the bonus point in the bag by half-time, mainly thanks to two superb efforts from Morris and 14 points from prolific fly-half Lee Jarvis.

But for all their efforts after the break Neath only crossed one more time, Morris claiming the try a minute from the close.

Neath now look in a strong position in Pool A with four wins out of five, although they still need a victory from their final two matches to secure a place in the last eight.

Munster will provide far stiffer opposition for Lyn Jones' side next Saturday, but there was enough evidence on display to suggest that Neath will give the Pool leaders a stern examination.

Neath had crossed for four tries before the interval with some free-flowing rugby, typical of what they have produced at home in recent seasons.

Flanker Steve Tandy opened the scoring after 10 minutes from a short-range scrum with Jarvis landing the conversion and a penalty shortly after.

The visitors did respond briefly with a breakaway try by pacy fullback Richard Davis, converted by fly-half Mark Meenan, but that was as good as it got for the Steelmen.

With half-back Andy Moore and Jarvis controlling matters astutely, Neath upped the tempo with full-back Morris shrugging aside some frail tackling for try number two.

Jarvis quickly followed over for a try of his own before Morris claimed the fourth and the bonus point on the half-time whistle with another fine solo effort.

The game lost its impetus after the break with numerous handling errors from both sides stemming the flow of points.

Neath flanker Alfie Mocelutu was shown a yellow card by Scottish referee Greg Davis for a dangerous elbow at a maul then Vale number eight Will Thomas quickly followed him in to the dug out after a professional foul.

Vale were camped on their own line for long periods in the second half, but it was only in the final moments that Neath managed to prize open their defence for a fifth time with Morris diving over in the corner.