Left wing Dean Dewdney scored four of Neath's eight tries as they kept up the pressure on the top of the Welsh-Scottish League.

The victory, Neath's fourth on the trot, also consolidated their bid to finish in the top five and qualify for next season's Heineken Cup.

The Welsh All Blacks have also scored 19 tries in their last three matches, following their midweek triumph at Newport and 46-8 home win over Glasgow.

Llanelli, Newport and Cardiff were given another warning by the Gnoll outfit, who had entered this match in third place behind Llanelli and Newport.

Ebbw Vale had beaten Neath in the last 16 of the Principality Cup and before kick-off, home coach Lyn Jones promised it was payback time.

And so it proved, even though Vale held out until the 23rd minute when Neath scored the first of three tries in a devastating nine-minute period to take a 24-0 interval lead.

To cap Ebbw Vale's troubles their flanker Paul Williams was sent off after 74 minutes for apparent stamping.

Neath: G Morris; K James, J Storey, A Bateman, D Dewdney; L Jarvis, A Moore; D Jones, S Jones, A Millward, S Martin, G Llewellyn (capt), A Mocelutu, B Sinkinson, N Bonner-Evans.
Reps: S Connor, B Williams, D Tiueti, A Jones, P James, R Phillips, S Tandy.

Ebbw Vale: G Cull; A Takarangi, R Shorney, P Matthews, A Wagstaff; M James, K Ellis; I Thomas (capt), J Evans, M Jones, O Booyse, N Edwards, K Tuipulotu, P Williams, W Thomas.
Reps: D Penisini, C Bevan, D Hudd, R Williams, A Bevan, D Wetherley, D Rogers.

Referee: Huw Lewis (Pontypridd).