The Valley Commandos also had to do it with 14 men for the entire second half after scrum-half Joel Raikes was sent off just before the break. Ponty drew first blood at The Gnoll through tries from Dale Stuckey and then Rob Jones, both converted by Jaydan Pugh.
Matthew Jenkins pulled an unconverted try back for Neath three minutes shy of half time – with an altercation following the try resulting in Raikes being shown a red card. But the visitors dug in after the re-start.
Pugh kicked a penalty and then converted a second try by Jones. Tries from Matthew Davies and Josh Clark, converted by Steff Williams, earned Neath a losing bonus point but this result ended their seven-game winning streak.
The result made it eight wins out of nine for Ponty and edges them four points clear of Neath.
“It was a proper dogfight of a game, and I’ve got to take my hat off to the boys,” said Parker, who started in the second row.
“There was a lot of grit and determination and under adversity for 40 minutes with 14 men – we just worked for each other. That’s the culture we’re trying to build here within the squad, and it showed.
“It’s the probably the most nervous I’ve been before a game, and it hit me how much this club actually means to me; and to have that as your first game as head coach and come away with a ‘w’ is huge.”
Merthyr, in third, are six points behind with a game in hand after they defeated Cardiff Met 33-12. Kodie Stone, Daniel Phillips, Finley Baker, Dafydd Land and a penalty try were on the scoresheet for the Ironmen, with Ben Jones kicking three conversions.
Toby Clinch and Ioan Evans went over for the Archers, with Tom Howlett improving the latter’s try but this result halted their three-match winning run.
Bonymaen ended a six-game losing streak with a morale-boosting 26-19 home win over Newbridge. Cameron Setter and Joe Yeates were the Bony try scorers, both converted by Lawrence Thomas – who also landed four penalty goals.
Cian Jones and Reegan Davies were on the scoresheet for the visitors. Davies and Eamonn Rees converted one apiece.
There were also victories for the Premiership’s bottom two sides, with five-star Newcastle Emlyn stunning Bargoed 36-10 at Dol Wiber. Outside half Steff Evans, wing Llyr Jones, flanker Callum Williams, centre Aled Davies and replacement Steff Wyn Evans grabbed the Emlyn tries.
Full-back Ellis Payne kicked four conversions and a penalty. Dylan Williams was on the scoresheet for Bargoed.
Meanwhile, Narberth made it back-to-back victories away from home as they got the better of Brecon 15-12. Harrison Griffiths and Roy Osborne went over for the Otters. Jonathan Rogers added a conversion and a penalty, while Brecon’s tries were scored by Huw Jones and Chris Phillips.
The scheduled fixture at Pandy Park between Cross Keys and Llangennech was postponed due to the flooding and damage caused by Storm Bert.
