Caerphilly's defence get to grips with James Storey

On this display Neath will cause many problems for their main challengers this year while Caerphilly seem set for another hard struggle to stay in the top flight.

Rain was sweeping across the Virginia Park pitch at the kick-off as Lions coach Graham Henry watched from the grandstand.

Home outside-half Stuart Lawrence had an early chance to put Caerphilly ahead but he was off target with a long-distance penalty attempt in the second minute.

After a quiet start Neath took the lead in the 11th minute when Jarvis kicked a 44-yard penalty - his first points for the club.

Centre Bateman started to cause mayhem in the Caerphilly defence with some sharp breaks and Jarvis pressed home the advantage by kicking two further penalties in quick succession.

When left-wing Williams swept over for an unconverted try in the 22nd minute Neath looked comfortable with a lead of 14-0.

Alfie Mocalatu on the charge for Neath

But to their credit Caerphilly bounced back with a Lawrence penalty and a well-taken unconverted try by wing Justin Thomas.

But Neath ended the half on top when Mocelutu crashed over for an unconverted try after a superb driving maul by the pack.

That gave the impressive visitors a 19-10 interval lead and all Caerphilly could manage in a one-sided second half was a second penalty from Lawrence.

Caerphilly: Tries: J. Thomas. Cons: Lawrence. Pens: Lawrence 2.

Neath: Tries: Tiueti, Bateman, S. Williams, Francis, Mocelutu. Cons: Connor, Jarvis 2. Pens: Jarvis 4.