Neath comfortably swept passed the challenge of Caerphilly at the Gnoll last night with scrum half Gareth James starring in a 51pts to 17 success.
The scrum half crossed for a hat trick of tries with full back Dylan Pugh also featuring prominently with a try, a penalty and a hat trick of conversions.
The home side had to produce an improved performance in the second half after the visitors had taken a shock 17-14 interval lead.
Further tries from wingers Richard Carter, Andrew Jones and centre Peter Smiriglia secured the win with Neath also being awarded a penalty try. Fly half Aled Davies added a conversion.
Llanelli, with three games in hand on Neath, needed a late try from number eight Aled Gravell to secure a 23pts to 11 win at Bridgend.
Scrum half Mike Phillips made a telling break and fed Gravell who crossed for the late second half score after fly half Paul Fisher and flanker Bryn Griffiths had both crossed for earlier tries. Fisher also added a brace of penalties and a conversion.
Lock Huw Alford replied with a try for the Brewery Field side and Jon-Pierre Ferreira added a brace of penalties after skipper Alun Lake had been forced from the field with a leg injury.
Swansea produced a fluent first half display as they lead 15pts to 3 at the interval in their clash with their Ebbw Vale counterparts.
However, the home side rallied after the interval and secured a 20pts to 15 win. Left-wing Paul Mackey, in is second game back after injury, and centre Matthew Brayley scored tries for the All Whites while fly half Gareth James added a conversion and a drop goal.
U21 Premier Division
Neath 51 Caerphilly 17
Bridgend 11 Llanelli 23
Ebbw Vale 20 Swansea 15