Gareth Wyatt scored two tries as Pontypridd beat Neath at The Gnoll to keep up
their 100% Welsh Premiership record.
Pontypridd had travelled to Neath looking for revenge following their 13-12
defeat in the Celtic League quarter-final last month.
And despite having Gareth Baber and Richard Parks both sin-binned, one in each
half, Pontypridd held on for victory.
The visitors had set the platform for victory in the first half, during which
time they scored four tries to open up a 26-13 lead at the interval.
They had put Neath on the back foot, scoring 12 points in only four minutes
after Wyatt had opened their account with his first try within seven minutes.
Wyatt went over for a second, as did Baber as Pontypridd led 19-3 after 27
minutes.
Neath replied with a converted try for wing Kevin James and a penalty for
outside half Shaun Connor but Pontypridd had the last word of the first half
when Brett Davey handed off a tackler to go over for the fourth try for the
visitors.
If the first half had been something of a post-Christmas romp the second was
more attritional with the first score not arriving until the 24th minute when
Davey planted a drop goal.
Neath mounted a late recovery with a try through flanker Alfie Mocelutu but it
was of the consolation variety.
After Christmas defeats to both Swansea and now Pontypridd, Neath will have to
regroup ahead of Saturday's crucial Celtic League semi-final against Cardiff.