Neath went top of what Newport secretary Dennis Bennett tagged the “Traditional Tier” when they won impressively 37-15 at Parc-y-Scarlets on Thursday evening.

It was 13-10 to Neath at the end of an evenly-fought first-half but the Welsh All Blacks pulled clear in the final quarter to secure a bonus-point win with another rousing performance by their pack.

Neath scored five tries in all through Ed Howley (2), Aaron Grabham, Alec Jenkins and Leon Ward, Howley kicked a conversion and a penalty, Dan Guarneri banged over two conversions and a penalty. Tystan Lloyd and Dion Jones got home tries, Billy McBryde kicking a conversion and a penalty.

Cross Keys made it two out of two home wins when they beat Bridgend at Pandy Park by 16-13 and, for the second week running, Josh Prosser fired over a late, late penalty to clinch it. It was his third penalty and he also converted Keys’ sole try by Ieuan Jones. Will Baird scored Bridgend’s try, Joseph Scrivens converting and adding two penalties.

The game at the Arms Park was also settled by a late kick, Swansea pipping Cardiff 34-33. The Whites took the try-scoring honours with Jed Evans, Jack Perkins, Ashleigh James, Jon Fox and Jon Bayliss touching down, Jac Wilson’s boot adding 9 points including the final penalty. Jordan Viggers, Harri Millard and Will Rees-Hole scored tries for Cardiff with Gareth Thompson kicking 18 points.