Wing Kevin James ran in three of the triple champions’ five tries as they made sure they didn’t mirror last season’s shock opening day defeat. Phillips, who is part of the Wales World Cup coaching team, was at the Gnoll to see his side send out a stern warning to their rivals and was full of admiration for the work stand-in coach Jason Forster has been doing in his absence.
“I was very pleased with that as a first outing. We’ve done a lot of hard work in the summer and it paid off for us,” said Phillips.
Former Wales outside half Arwel Thomas showed he has lost none of his sparkle as he helped himself to 15 points with three conversions and three penalties. New outside half recruit Howard Thomas, who joined in the summer from Konica Minolta Cup holders Llandovery, marked his Neath league debut with a conversion after coming on as a replacement.
