Neath got the better of Swansea after a pulsating local derby to sit at the top of the Principality Premiership and sink the All Whites down into sixth spot.
Had Swansea come away from St Helens victorious, it would have been an opposite scenario considering both sides came into this match with just one point separating them at the top of the table.
Neath earned a try bonus point thanks to their five scores, am impressive return to form after conceding three converted tries in the first quarter of the match.
Director of rugby Patrick Horgan said afterwards, “We did manage to execute some of the moves we had planned for Swansea. So it showed what we can do. I thought we were the better side in the second half and that was plain to see.”
But that was very different in the first half which saw Swansea breeze into a 21-0 lead and looked all but certain to bank all five points on offer, before Neath responded to cut the home side’s lead to 27-21 at the interval.
But all the pressure was Neath’s in the final 20 minutes and, despite some valiant defending, Kevin James crashed over in the corner for the winning try.
Pontypridd’s excellent season continued as they kept pace with the leaders with an 18-12 win away to Glamorgan Wanderers.
But the hard-earned triumph was not enough to keep Ponty top, as superior try-count, 36-27, means Neath gain league leadership.
The better side won on the day, scoring the only two tries of the game, and basically we could have no complaints,” said Glamorgan Wanderers head coach Richard Hodges.
He went on: “We allowed 30 points to go begging – and you cannot afford to do that at any level.
“In fairness to Pontypridd, they made us commit more players to the breakdowns, resulting in them having the better of the kick-and-chase.
“That means breakdowns will form a high priority for us at training this week.’’
The Wanderers are in eight spot, some way behind the leading teams, but six point clear or nearest rivals Llandovery, who turned over Aberavon 52-34 in a high octane clash.
Other results saw Llanelli getting the better of Carmarthen Quins 10-18 to rest in place fourth on the table, one spot below Cardiff who beat Bedwas 29-22
