Before losing at Cross Keys last week, Principality Premiership champions Ponty had begun the season with six straight bonus-point victories. But that kind of form has deserted Paul John’s side in the last couple of weeks. But they remain top of the table after this turgid 16-14 triumph.
They were just 10-6 ahead at the break after wing Ashley Evans crossed for Neath, while young hooker Ashleigh James scored for visitors. Scrum-half Tom James put the hosts in front after the interval and Ponty were staring down the barrel of consecutive defeats.
They were saved by Wales Sevens star Alex Webber. The wing scorched over late in the piece to break Neath hearts and salvage a victory for Ponty that had looked unlikely all afternoon. The defeat will be tough to take for Neath. The Welsh All Blacks showed heart and desire but they could not find the quality to overturn Ponty.
The hosts remain rooted to the foot of the table and face a daunting trip to high-flying Llandovery next week.
James Garland’s late penalty rescued a 32-32 draw for Aberavon at Cross Keys in a sensational Principality Premiership battle.
The home side raced into the lead after three minutes when scrum-half James Leadbeater crashed over and Ethan Davies converted.
But the power of Wizards’ pack began to tell, with Rob Dudley-Jones scoring and Garland converting. Aberavon took the lead once more through Jonathan Phillips. But the hosts rapidly replied through winger Nathan Trowbridge, who scored the simplest of tries under the posts to level at 16-16.
The visitors took the half-time lead thanks to prop Rowan Jenkins, who benefited from a rolling maul to score. And the Wizards started the second half as they had finished the first. Centre Joe Thomas crossed in the corner and Garland expertly converted.
The Wizards led 30-16, but Keys refused to be beaten and staged a brave revival. First Dan Hodge crossed, then captain Leon Andrews hit a cracking angle to sneak the hosts ahead by two points.
The Wizards perhaps deserved all the points, but outside-half Garland ensured they claimed a draw with a late two-pointer.
A late interception try from wing Gavin Thomas secured a dramatic win for lowly Carmarthen Quins over Ebbw Vale.
The 26-20 victory is just Quins’ second of the season – and their first since September 12. Despite trailing for long periods, the visitors struck a late hammer blow to deflate Nigel Davies’ underwhelming hosts.
Lee Taylor crashed over for the perfect start before the Steelmen levelled through outside-half Iain Smerdon. The playmaker was then on hand to convert scrum-half Chris Thomas’s try minutes later, as the home side surged back in front.
Quins hooker Clancy then popped up with a rare try to edge the visitors ahead at the break, in a ding-dong battle at Eugene Cross Park. Wing David Williams put the Steelmen in control at 20-16.
But the game was defined in the 78th minute when wing Thomas intercepted a loose Ebbw Vale pass to run the length of the field and score.
It was a moment of magic that lit up an otherwise unremarkable encounter.
The Quins defence held firm to blunt last season’s Principality Premiership runners-up and secure the precious points.
A powerful performance from Bridgend back-rower Lloyd Evans helped the Ravens hold off Cardiff.
The Ravens overturned a half-time deficit to triumph 22-14, despite Marc Thomas’ second half sin bin. Tries from Lloyd Evans, Ashton Evans and Zac O’Driscoll were enough for Bridgend to take the points at The Brewery Field.
A try from full-back Harry Davies propelled Cardiff into an early lead, but they were soon pegged back by number eight Evans. The Blue and Blacks regained the lead before the break, with Callum Hall converting Marc Breeze’s try for a 14-10 lead at the interval.
The second half started slowly until replacement O’Driscoll brought Bridgend back in front on 49 minutes. The Ravens were exceptional in defence, holding off the Cardiff forwards even in the absence of Ospreys player Thomas, who was yellow-carded midway through the half.
Ashton Evans secured the victory with a late score as the match came to a close.
The Blue and Blacks won this fixture both times the teams met last season, but came up short this time. For Bridgend, this precious win lifts them away from rock-bottom Neath.
Llanelli bagged six tries and a bonus point on their way to a 48-16 rout at Bedwas.
The away side travelled to The Bridgefield in fine form after three successive home triumphs. And tries from Christian Long, Matthew Owen, Josh Lewis, Josh Guy, Torin Myhill, and Jordan Williams sealed another convincing victory for Kevin George’s side.
Hooker Alan Rees crashed over and Richard Powell went over to get the home team on the board. But Llanelli powered to their fourth win of the season.
An imperious second-half display helped injury-hit Newport record a third win in succession against Llandovery.
After finishing rock bottom of the Principality Premiership last season, the Black and Ambers have turned it around this term.
Despite going behind to Drovers’ prolific full-back Will Thomas,Newport fought back through tries from Sam Cross, Wes Cunliffe, John Lavender and James Greenfield.
Wales Sevens star Cross cancelled out Thomas’ early score after 14 minutes.
Scrum-half Rhodri Davies then edged the Drovers ahead on 30 minutes, as Newport’s defence wobbled.
But the Black and Ambers hit back through Cunliffe. The wing broke through tackle after tackle to reach the line and score.
Some fine interplay between Cross and outside-half Arwel Robson opened a gap for loose-head John Lavender to crash over in the corner on 50 minutes.
And although the hosts were halted by two Maynard kicks and a lengthy delay, which saw Lloyd Phillips stretched off, Greenfield sealed the win in the dying moments.
