The Welsh All Blacks beat Aberavon 33-21 at the Gnoll – with fly-half Matthew Jones slotting six penalty goals – but are still second on the table because of an inferior try count.
Cardiff’s horrible season continued at Llandovery, with the Drovers recording a 31-17 victory after leading 20-5 at the break.
Centre Tal Selley, a loan player from the Llanelli Scarlets, scored a crucial try for the home side, while Cardiff’s off-season signing from Swansea, talented youngster Jonny Vaughton, scored his first try for the Blue and Blacks after a lengthy spell out with injury.
The loss consigns Cardiff to second-bottom on the table – above only Ebbw Vale – with five wins from 17 matches.
Llanelli climbed above Cardiff with a convincing 34-21 win over Swansea at Stradey Park.
The Scarlets raced to a 15-3 lead with tries to promising youngster Gavin Quinnell – the 19-stone ‘little’ brother of Welsh internationals Scott and Craig – and fly-half Ceiron Thomas.
Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips – showing his versatility by playing at fullback – and Canadian prop Jon Thiel added scores to give Llanelli a commanding 27-3 at the break.
The All Whites clawed their way back through an 11-point haul to prolific fly-half Luke Richards, but the Scarlets’ victory was never in doubt.
Elsewhere, Caerphilly won a 22-20 thriller against Pontypool at Virginia Park, with winger Ryan Howells scoring the crucial second-half try, and Carmarthen Quins’ brave attack on the title continued with a hard-fought 21-13 win over Bridgend.
Bedwas consigned Ebbw Vale to the bottom of the table with a comfortable 26-12 victory at Eugene Cross Park, while 19 points from talented young fly-half Lee Thomas gave Pontypridd a tight 24-23 win over Cross Keys.
Results: Caerphilly 22 Pontypool 20, Carmarthen Quins 21 Bridgend 13, Ebbw Vale 12 Bedwas 26, Llandovery 31 Cardiff 17, Llanelli 34 Swansea 21, Neath 33 Aberavon 21, Newport v Newbridge (called off), Pontypridd 24 Cross Keys 23.
