NEATH produced the WRU Premiership shock of the day by inflicting a first league defeat of the season upon Pontypridd at The Gnoll.

The Neath forwards were in rousing form and took the game to the visitors much as they had in the earlier Cup game which Neath also won and the All Blacks took the try count 4-2 for the bonus point.

Neath took the lead through an electrifying try by wing Ki Morgan which outside-half Paul Short converted but Ponty levelled through a try by lock Ethan Evans which outside-half Jorge Lucey converted and it was 7-7 at half-time.

Ponty came out of the blocks after the interval with a  second try by Evans which was converted by Lucey who then kicked a penalty for 7-17 but Neath hit back with a try by centre Sam Harris.

The All Blacks maul was a telling factor all day and the home team went ahead when skipper and No.8 Ben Williams crossed and Paul Short converted and, with their forwards finishing stronger, Neath made the game safe at 26-17 with a penalty try. Ponty were not done and finished with a last-gasp second penalty by Lucey which earned them a losing bonus point.