Neath opened their account in this season's Welsh-Scottish League after being awarded three penalty tries in a remarkable encounter against Pontypridd at the Gnoll.

Referee Hugh Watkins punished the visitors indiscipline to the full, once before the break and twice in the second half.

The Birchgrove official stayed centre stage throughout as he also dispatched three players - Neath's Rowland Phillips and Mefin Davies, plus Pontypridd's Richard Field - to the sin bin.

Pontypridd went into the game boasting a 100% record in the league this season but found themselves under continual pressure from Neath's fired-up pack in which Davies, Duncan Jones and Andrew Millward were outstanding.

Shane Williams was named the official man-of-the-match after contributing 15 points in his new role as goal kicker.

For Pontypridd, Lee Jarvis slotted five penalties and two conversions to finish with a personal haul of 19 points.

The home side had turned around 16-10 ahead after an evenly fought opening 40 minutes which had seen Phillips yellow carded.

The former rugby league player was given 10 minutes in the sin bin for using his forearm in a tackle on Pontypridd hooker Feao Vunipola.

While Phillips was off the field, the visitors pegged back three early penalties from Williams with a fine try by flanker Field.

Jarvis added a conversion to an earlier penalty to put Pontypridd narrowly in front, only for Neath to hit back with a score on the stroke of half-time.

Referee Watkins awarded the first penalty try after Neath full-back Darril Williams had been brought down in full flight while attempting to touch down his own kick ahead.

Pontypridd threatened to rally while Davies was off early in the second half, but Neath were too strong.

The visitors' ex-Neath wing Richard Johnson was able to cross for a consolation try three minutes into injury time.

Scorers - Neath: Tries: Pen 3. Cons: S Williams 3. Pens: S Williams 3. Drop Goals: Brown

Pontypridd: Tries: Johnson, Field. Cons: Jarvis 2. Pens: Jarvis 5

Teams

Pontypridd: B Davey, L Woodard, S Parker, J Bryant, R Johnson, L Jarvis, R Neville, C Loader, F Vunipola, P Graham, G Rowlands, R Sidoli, M Lloyd (capt), R Field, M Owen
Replacements: J Lewis, C Sweeney, P John, N Tau, G Thomas, B Cockbain, R Parks

Neath: Darril Williams, G Morris, D Tiueti, T Davies, S Williams, J Brown, P Horgan, D Jones, M Davies, A Millward, S Martin, G Llewellyn (capt), R Phillips, R Francis, S Eggar
Replacements: S Jones, P Jones, A Howell, G John, D Williams, A Booth, A Jackson

Ref: H Watkins