Neath backed up their WRU Premiership Cup triumph with a stunning 40-34 comeback win in an incredible game at Cardiff Met in the Admiral Premiership.
Six days on from defeating Merthyr in memorable fashion at Principality Stadium, it seemed very much a case of after the Lord Mayor’s show for Neath as they trailed 31-5 at one stage at Cyncoed.
Two tries apiece for centre Toby Clinch and wing Wyatt Mcloughlin and one for Jamie Longyear, against one in reply from Neath hooker Kian Jones, looked to have set the Archers on their way to a huge win. Ross McKay added three conversions before then sending over a penalty.
However, further Neath tries from No 8 Jacob Blackmore, replacement scrum-half Rhodri Jones, on debut, Jordan Evans, Matthew Davies and Louis Rees completed a remarkable turnaround. Iestyn Morgan converted five of them.
Despite taking two bonus points, it was a missed opportunity for Met to pull further clear of the relegation zone. The students are now three points clear of second bottom Narberth but have just one match left.
Bottom side Brecon are now all but down. Their 33-14 home defeat by Bargoed leaves them 19 points from safety with just four to play.
Ashley Sutton and Ifan Phillips scored for Narberth, who perhaps crucially, still have three games in hand on Cardiff Met. Jonathan Rogers kicked 11 points while Nico Setaro also landed with a conversion.
Defending champions Merthyr bounced back from their cup final agony by defeating Cross Keys 31-14 at The Wern. It was 7-7 at the break but second half tries from Jacob Lloyd, Joseff Jones and Ben Jones secured a bonus-point win for Merthyr, after Jack Kathrens’ first half score.
Ben Jones converted all four tries and kicked a penalty. Max Heathman and Lewis David went over for Keys’ tries, improved by Morgan Cusack and Ben Murphy.
Merthyr still have two games in hand on Beddau – the first of those at home against Llanelli Wanderers on Wednesday night when they can reclaim top spot.
Third placed Pontypridd were 33-21 derby victors at Ystrad Rhondda. Hooker Connah Hughes and flanker Cai James grabbed two apiece with Joe Davies the other Ponty scorer. Logan Jones added the extras.
Wing Kurtis Williams scored twice for Ystrad alongside a Corben Evans try. Jacob Symes (2) and Lewis Williams kicked the conversions.
Newbridge pulled themselves six points clear of the bottom two with a 38-26 bonus-point home win over Llangennech. Centre Josh Thomas was at the double with Matthew Davies, Miles Anderson, Garin Price and Harry Jarvis also scoring for Newbridge, while Sam Watkins added the rest from the tee.
Hooker Finn Thomas bagged a brace for Llangennech with Jordan Saunders and Brychan Thomas also scoring to secure them a try bonus point.