As the game approached half time Merthyr had opened up a 14-0 lead thanks to centre Cole Swannack’s effort, improved by Gareth Thompson, and a penalty try.
But Neath hit back with tries of their own either side of the interval from Kristian Jones, converted by Steff Williams, and Elis Horgan. And they would go on to secure another memorable victory thanks to hooker Sion Crocker’s try, converted by Steff Williams.
“A lot of our games have been small margins. You can maybe look at it and say you’ve lost every game, but there were really small margins in the games leading into the Aberavon game,” sad Horgan.
“We had opportunities in games that we’ve lost, we just didn’t take them, and thankfully against Merthyr we took a few of our opportunities and came out with a victory and back it up after Boxing Day. Morale is great, they’re a good bunch who work tremendously hard.
“We get good numbers in training and we just keep plugging away inch by inch. We’ve seen the performances improving throughout the season.”
However, for now, Neath remain bottom of the table after Carmarthen Quins brought an end to their nine-game league losing run by beating Bridgend 16-11 at the Brewery Field to taste victory for only the second time this season.
Outside half Charlie Titcombe scored all of the Quins’ points, which began with a third minute try which he converted himself. He kicked two first half penalties and one in the second.
Evan Yardley scored a first half try for Bridgend with Jacob Lloyd kicking a penalty in each half but it couldn’t prevent them from a fourth straight reverse.
Cardiff are into the top four after giving Ebbw Vale their first taste of defeat at home this season.
But three tries in the final quarter of the match meant it would be Cardiff leaving victorious this time.
Jamie Hill put them in front for the first time on 61 minutes before lock Ethan Phillips powered his way over on 76 for a try which Jacob Lloyd improved, with wing Dewi Cross adding a third try.
Pontypool won’t have much time to contemplate their latest loss in the Indigo Premiership as they are straight back into action on Thursday night in a televised game at Carmarthen Quins.
Everything started so well for last season’s ‘Invincibles’ with seven wins in their first eight Premiership outings. Since then they have won twice in their last six and were over retaken by Cardiff, who moved into the top four.
Aberavon were 20-0 to the good by half-time at Pontypool Park at the weekend and hung on to avenge their home defeat by Pooler earlier in the season with a 26-21 triumph. Meanwhile, at Eugene Cross Park, Cardiff gained revenge over Ebbw Vale for their two beatings to date this season by coming out on top 23-9.
That enabled reigning champions Llandovery to move seven points clear at the top, allowed Cardiff to move two points clear of Pooler in the final play-off spot and gave third-placed Newport a huge boost as they are now only nine points behind The Steelmen with three games in hand.
“We gave ourselves a mountain to climb in the second half, but the boys showed great character to come within touching distance. We can be proud of the second-half performance, but we can’t be taking that first-half performance forward into the rest of the season,” said Pooler second row Ashley Sweet
“That was the worst we’ve played this year. There were some stern words at half time.
“We’re a team that is still learning, it’s our first season back in the Premiership. We’re still punching above our weight and we are very proud of that – we’ll keep on battling.”
First half tries from full-back Scott Delnevo and centre Callum Carson were both converted by Aled Thomas, who also added two penalties, fired the Wizards into the 20-point interval lead. Pooler responded with three tries from Dan Hill, Marcus Jones and Sweet to set up a thrilling final 10 minutes.
Matthew Jarvis knocked over two conversions, while Aberavon added three more penalties to seal the deal. They are now only five points behind Pooler in the table.
