Evans the hero as Llanelli late show breaks Neath hearts

Llanelli ............ 41 Neath .............. 36

LLANELLI had to come from behind twice before securing a dramatic late victory over Neath at Parc y Scarlets.

The visitors raced into a 19-3 lead inside 15 minutes despite Billy McBryde kicking Llanelli ahead with an early penalty.

The Welsh All Blacks responded well with Chris Morgans going over almost instantly before Ed Howley touched down for the fifth consecutive game, following a surging run from centre Keiran Williams.

The influential full-back added a second a few minutes later as Neath stamped their authority on the game. Howley also kicked two conversions.

But the hosts refused to accept defeat and launched their comeback when winger Matthew Jenkins went over on 14 minutes.

Craig Thomas and Richard Bassett followed Jenkins over the whitewash, following a yellow card to Jordan Collier, and three McBryde conversions put Llanelli back in front. But the scoring wasn’t done yet as a late Morgans converted try saw Neath hold a slender halftime lead.

Luke Price added a drop goal to Neath’s tally after the break but a Ryan Davies double, and a Howley conversion, edged the hosts ahead. Neath came back once again with Alec Jenkins crashing over in the corner and Howley’s conversion levelled the score. But Evans managed to cross the whitewash in the dying seconds to claim a dramatic victory.

Star man

Ed Howley - Neath