WELSH PREMIERSHIP Llanelli (24) 27 Tries: C Wyatt, M Madden, T Selley, W Proctor. Cons: G Bowen (2). Pen: G Bowen. Neath (13) 25 Tries: L Jarvis, S Williams, S Marsden. Cons: Jarvis, S Connor. Pens: Jarvis (2). Att: 3,000

Four first-half tries had put the Scarlets into a commanding lead, but a second-half fightback took the All Blacks ahead with just eight minutes to go.

The home side, who have not lost to Neath at Stradey since 1993, fired straight back and a Gareth Bowen penalty gave them the two-point advantage which they held until the end.

For the All Blacks to win the title they must beat Bridgend at the Brewery Field on Tuesday and hope that the Ravens slip up in their final games against Pontypridd and Cardiff.

It was a bright start by Llanelli. In the first minute Guy Easterby exploited a defence that was still in the dressing room to send Chris Wyatt on a 20m romp to the line.

The boys showed heart to hold on for the points at the end Llanelli prop John Davies

Lee Jarvis got the All Blacks going with a penalty, but the bright spark in their back line was 38-year-old veteran Allan Bateman, just back after a month's injury absence with a cracked rib.

Sean Marsden went close after Bateman created a ninth-minute opening, and two minutes later the former Lion gave Shane Williams space on the left wing.

A glorious Williams cross kick was followed up by Jarvis who touched down under the posts.

A slug fest between props Phil John and Duncan Jones saw both sin binned, Jones coming off worse but winning a second penalty for his side.

The yellow cards brought Martyn Madden onto the field and the burly prop blasted through the Neath defence for a 32nd-minute try.

Bateman impressed on his return from injury

With half-time approaching, the Scarlets backs seized the initiative to put their side in front.

Gareth Bowen broke from scrum ball and linked well with Wayne Proctor. The winger - in his 300th and final game for Llanelli - executed a delightful scissors to send Taliesin Selley in under the posts.

Another free-flowing move involving forwards and backs paved the way for the most-popular score of the night, Proctor crossing from five yards out, the conversion making it 24-13 at the break.

A sin-binning for Ian Boobyer early in the second half for hands in the ruck gave the visitors a chance to get back in the game.

Barry Williams was held up over the Llanelli line, as the Scarlets repulsed a sustained period of Neath pressure.

Something had to give and after another multi-phased attack Shane Williams was able to use his quick feet to dance over the line.

A spectacular score from Sean Marsden took Neath back ahead. A Neil Boobyer breakout looked like securing another Llanelli try, but he lost the ball on the visitors' 22 and the ball went to Bateman.

The encounter had its fiery moments

He had the vision to free Williams, who shipped on to Marsden. The England Under-21 winger went for the outside, leaving Bowen clutching at air and securing Neath's third try.

The lead lasted just two minutes, a furious Scarlet fightback winning them a penalty under the Neath posts.

Bowen, whose kicking had been somewhat erratic, fired over confidently and the Scarlets saw out the closing minutes.

Veteran Llanelli prop John Davies was pleased with the character shown by his team.

"The boys showed heart to hold on for the points at the end," he said, "The spirit is great in this side."

Llanelli: N Jones; W Proctor, T Selley, S Finau, N Boobyer; G Bowen, G Easterby (capt); P John, Yelland, J Davies, P Clapham, C Wyatt, J Cudmore, I Boobyer, G Williams.
Replacements: M Madden, N Williams, Griffiths, Cunningham, Phillips, Fisher, A Gravelle.

Neath: A Durston; S Marsden, A Bateman, D Tiueti, S Williams; L Jarvis, A Moore; D Jones, B Williams, A Millward (capt), A Newman, L Bateman, B Sinkinson, S Tandy, H Jenkins.
Replacements: P Horgan, S Connor, G Morris, S Jones, S Martin, J Ringer, P James.

Ref: Colin Saunders (WRU)