No respite for Neath

A TORRID week for Neath ended up in yet another defeat as they crashed to a 69-12 reverse at the Gnoll against Llanelli.

For Neath, at least the winding up order against their parent company was dismissed in court earlier in the week, but Llanelli were in no mind to gift them any further favours.

The visitors ran in 11 tries in a convincing victory to lift them out of the relegation zone.

Ryan Davies helped himself to a hat-trick while scrum-half Declan Smith and centre Ioan Nicholas both grabbed two.

Tom Rogers also got in on the act and there was also a penalty try. Ioan Hughes added six conversions.

Neath battled to the end and they at least got on the scoreboard five minutes from time when Nathan Griffiths crossed for a try.

Elis Hopkins also had the last word with the final try of the game that was converted by Callum Hall.

Elsewhere champions Merthyr claimed a bonus-point 30-5 victory over Carmarthen Quins at the Wern. Fly-half Richard Powell booted the Ironmen ahead and their first try arrived on 20 minutes following a maul.

Powell received the ball from Justin James and spread it out wide on the right to wing Joseph Williams who dotted down. Powell converted to make it 10-0.

Powell booted his second penalty seven minutes after the restart before other wing Jay Baker grabbed Merthyr’s second try on 52 minutes after being sent through by scrum-half James.

Adam Thomas’ interception try on 65 minutes all but sealed it as the Quins were once again caught in possession.

Carmarthen got their just reward on 69 minutes with Nick Reynolds barging over following a lineout. Merthyr had the final say in the last minute, when replacement Adam Hoskins slipped through under the sticks. Gareth Davies converted.