The Welsh All Blacks had been winless up till this point but their 18-11 triumph has seen them move above Swansea into eleventh place.
The home side had gone into the break with a one point deficit, Ross Jones kicking a drop goal and a penalty for the Ravens after Alec Jenkins had crossed for the first try of the day.
In an equally tight second half, Neath turned the tables on Ben Rose’s Bridgend with both sides seeing a man yellow carded. It was Neath who made the most of their advantage though, Luke Williams crossing for a decisive second try and Dai Langdon booting the rest of the points.
At Sardis Road, a young Pontypridd side stayed top of the table but only after being given a fright by Swansea. Geraint Lewis’ men were 22-17 winners but the All Whites deserve a great deal of credit for pushing the defending champions so close.
Pontypridd were 19-0 up at the break and home and hosed with Lloyd Williams crossing for a brace of tries either side of a score from Owen Sheppard. But in the second half, Swansea roared back into things. Richard Williams and Liam Gadd both crossed for tries with Wales Under 18 fly half Luke Price kicking two conversions and a penalty. In the end, it was not quite enough but Swansea will take heart from this performance when they face Llanelli in five days’ time.
Carmarthen Quins and Cross Keys both kept up the pressure on Pontypridd at the top with home wins over Cardiff and Aberavon respectively. Quins completed the double over the Blue and Blacks with a 25-8 victory at the Park, their contingent of Wales Sevens players doing the damage. Lee Williams got the scoreboard moving with a fourth minute try with international teammate Jason Harries brushing off a yellow card to add a late score. Inside centre John Williams was also on the score sheet.
Meanwhile at Pandy Park, Keys failed to score any second half points but still ran out 15-5 winners over Aberavon. Nathan Trowbridge and the ever improving Scott Matthews were their scorers.
Newport were 17-10 winners away at Bedwas while Llanelli gained revenge over Llandovery at Parc y Scarlets. In the return west Wales derby at Church Bank earlier this season, it was the Drovers who were convincing winners. But on Saturday, it was Llanelli who came out on top with young full back Dion Jones enjoying a day to remember. Jones kicked five penalties and converted all three Llanelli tries, one of which he scored himself, for a remarkable 26-point haul. Kyle and Jac Evans also crossed for Kev George’s men.
The Principality Premiership now takes a break till Boxing Day with fixtures taking place on both December 26 and December 28.
Principality Premiership Christmas fixtures:
Boxing Day, December 26: (All kick-offs 2.30pm)
Bridgend v Bedwas
Llandovery v Carmarthen
Neath v Aberavon
Pontypridd v Cardiff
December 28: (All kick-offs 2.30pm)
Newport v Cross Keys
Swansea v Llanelli
