PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP NEWS

The former Wales international, who played for the Scarlets last season, scored two of League leaders Neath’s eight tries in the 58-13 mauling, with outside-half James Hook adding 15 points with the boot.
Wingers Neil Clapham and Steve Thomas also scored braces for the Welsh All Blacks, with props Cai Griffiths and Craig Mitchell chiming in with five-pointers against a hopelessly out-classed Llanelli side.
Centre Paul Mackey bagged the home side’s only try, although Llanelli’s cause wasn’t helped by three yellow cards for professional fouls.
Aberavon kept up the pressure on Neath with a hard-fought 20-16 victory over Carmarthen Quins. Prolific outside-half Jamie Davies kicked 10 points to compliment tries from winger Paul Bamsey and fullback Gareth Knox, with Quins outside-half Barry Davies providing all his side’s points.
Aled Thomas kicked six goals for Newport as the Black and Ambers kept in touch with the leaders with a 31-27 win over Glamorgan Wanderers at Rodney Parade. Both sides scored three tries, with Thomas’ deadly boot proving the difference.
Early-season leaders Pontypridd smashed Pontypool 42-16 at Sardis Road, with scrum-half Wayne Evans scoring two of the home side’s six tries. Pontypool were in the match at halftime, trailing only 16-8, but the Valley Commandoes moved up a gear in the second spell to run away with it.
Maesteg made sure Llandovery stayed on the bottom of the League table with a 36-27 victory, but made hard work of it. Both sides scored three tries, but Maesteg outside-half James Dixon banged over five penalty goals and three conversions as his side overcame a 20-13 deficit at the break.
Cardiff recorded only their third win of the season with an 18-7 result over fellow strugglers Ebbw Vale at the Arms Park, while Swansea were far too good in their 42-17 win over Bridgend. Cross Keys are slipping off the pace after a 25-6 home loss to Bedwas, with Andrew James kicking six penalty goals for the winners.

Results: Aberavon 20 Carmarthen Quins 16, Cardiff 18 Ebbw Vale 7, Cross Keys 6 Bedwas 25, Llanelli 13 Neath 58, Maesteg 36 Llandovery 27, Newport 31 Glamorgan Wanderers 27, Pontypridd 42 Pontypool 16, Swansea 42 Bridgend 17.