EBBW Vale lasted the pace much better against Neath to make in two bonus-point victories on the trot back in the Welsh Premiership, writes Tony Poole.

Five years after crashing to a 41-7 defeat at The Gnoll, during the season they suffered relegation, the Steelmen impacted late on to eclipse the five-time former champions.

However, the omens looked none too promising for Vale when they went 15 points down in as many minutes.

But they took stock of the situation and during a dominant second-half showing, they came on strong to win the day on a 4-2 try-count.

“In fairness to Neath they played very well early on, as we again stood off too much and were a little in awe of the situation,” said Ebbw Vale coach Jason Strange.

He went on: “But the boys then showed great character in battling back, and controlled the second half through superior physicality at the contact area.

“That said at times we weren’t always accurate, and chances went begging through dropped passes.

“But as long as we keep on improving I’ll be satisfied – and it’s much easier to sort things out when winning.

“All in all, to open our Premiership campaign with two bonus-point victories against Llandovery and Neath is a superb return, and definite confidence boosters.’’

Neath shot into a fourth-minute lead via a penalty from fly-half Luke Price, and soon got the game’s opening try.

Wing Jamie Davies came on a slant for centre Ryan Evans to touchdown close to the posts with Price adding the extras.

Just a minute later, Wales wing Dafydd Howells broke and fly-half Price was on hand to record an unconverted try.

Back came Vale in the 20th minute, as full-back Dan Haymond glided through a gap to register a fine try that fly-half Iain Smerdon improved on.

And they reduced half-time arrears to 15-12 on the back of a 28th-minute corner try from dynamic flanker Ronny Kynes.

But after Smerdon exchanged penalties with opposite number Price, the Steelmen took centre stage.

Their scrum simply got better with time while back row men Spencer Gibson and Kynes punched holes in the home defence.

Though Vale refused a kickable penalty on the hour, their sheer physicality and superior scrum carried them through to victory.

The breaking point for the Blacks, who continued to lead 18-15, came in the 75th minute.

An unstoppable rolling maul from the Steelmen was taken down close to the goal-line, resulting in international referee Nigel Owens awarding a penalty try that Smerdon goaled.

Neath also had wing Howells yellow-carded, and the 14 men conceded from final play.

Vale hammered away at the try-line until flanker Kynes forced his way over for the bonus-point try.

The Smerdon conversion signalled the end of play, and on this form Vale will relish the challenge on Saturday of Newport at Eugene Cross Park.

NEATH: A Jenkins; D Howells, D Langdon, R Evans, J Davies; L Price, R Cole (D Brooks 76); G Cenedese (L Elliott 55), S Crocker, M Jones (S McDonnell-Roberts 55-72), J Barley (A Williams 76), A Humfrey, L Ward (C Davies 52), L Beach (capt), J Collier (C Thomas 76).

Scorers: Tries – R Evans, L Price; Con: L Price; Pens: L Price (2).

EBBW VALE: D Haymond; W Cunliffe, N Preece, A Jones (J Howells 58), O Williams; I Smerdon, C Thomas (R Downes 63); R Jones (J Lavender 67), M Williams (J Franchi 67), G Robinson (R Sevenoaks 67), A Sweet, D Hudd (capt), C Regan (R Clarke 52), S Gibson, R Kynes.

Scorers: Tries – R Kynes (2), D Haymond, Pen Try; Cons: I Smerdon (3), Pen: I Smerdon.

REFEREE: Nigel Owens (Pontyberem).

STAR CHOICE: Spencer Gibson (Ebbw Vale).