PONTYPOOL 11 NEATH 20

AIDED by the wind and Park slope, Neath dominated the first half but only led 8-0 at the break.

Ex-Cross Keys fly-half Dai Langdon slotted a fifth-minute penalty and crossed for an opportunist try midway through the half.

The Blacks forged further ahead on the resumption when scrum-half Tom James claimed an unconverted try from a scrum five.

Pooler got off the mark in the 49th minute via a penalty from fly-half Tom Hancox.

However, Neath centre Kevin James touched down in the 58th minute with fly-half Langdon adding the extras.

But with Neath lock Euros Evans binned, Pooler pulled back to 20-11 through a Dale Critchley try and a second Hancox penalty.

But during the closing stages, Neath closed the game out to retain league leadership.