Neath stormed to their second Welsh Premiership win of the season at a windswept Gnoll, with a 34-12 win over Ebbw Vale.
The damage was done in the first period, the home side outclassing the visitors with a display that signals their intentions in the top domestic division.
Shaun Connor opened the scoring with an eighth minute penalty goal.
Neath scored their first try after 15 minutes, Hywel Jenkins driving over after a line out. Sean Marsden scored the second shortly after, finishing off a neat move by the backs.
Gareth Morris grabbed a brace, and prop Andrew Millward crossed from the lineout to give Neath what proved to be an unassailable lead.
With Connor kicking three conversions to take the score to 34-0, Neath were in total control, and a yellow card for Vale fly-half Mark Meenan at the end of the half compounded Vales miserable evening.
Stern words from coach Mike Ruddock at the interval stirred the Steelmen into action in the second period.
Number eight Kati Tuipulotu started the fightback with a try after 50 minutes Meenan – his time in the sin bin served – stepped up to convert.
In far from perfect playing conditions handling errors at vital attacking moments cost both sides points but with the game in its final minutes, centre Rhys Shorney went over from close range for Vales second try.
Further evidence of Vales never say die attitude that acting skipper Rowland Phillips had spoke of in the build up to this match.
However it was too little too late for Vale. The win sees Neath move to the top of the Welsh Premiership table.
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