WELSH PREMIERSHIP Neath (17) 52 Tries: S. Connor, Durston, Carter (2), S Williams, B Williams, R Phillips, Peters. Cons: S Connor (6). Newport (21) 35 Tries: S Williams, Cadwallader, Nabaro, A Powell, Gravell. Cons: Hook (3), Tonu'u (2). Att: 2,000

The Welsh All Blacks found themselves 21 points down in as many minutes, but hit back with 38 unanswered points to set-up the win.

Hooker Barry Williams and full-back Adrian Durston scored the pick of their eight tries as the visitors struggled to handle Neath's expansive running.

Newport managed five tries of their own, but never looked like winning once their early lead had been wiped out.

Neath looked lethargically and uninterested in the opening exchanges and Newport took full advantage.

Powerful flanker Andy Powell brushed aside three half-heated tackles with barely a minute on the clock to stroll over for the first try of the night.

Ten minutes later, Luke Nabaro intercepted a long pass from Neath fly-half Shaun Connor deep in his own half and had the necessary pace to reach the tryline.

A third soft try soon followed as flanker Gareth Gravell found a clear path to the tryline after ripping the ball from the loose grasp of John Leyshon.

Young fly-half Michael Hook converted all three tries to open a 21 point advantage after as many minutes.

Neath needed a quick reply to impose themselves on the game, and it was Rowland Phillips who got the ball rolling.

The veteran number eight drove over from two yards out after a period of sustained pressure in Newport territory.

Centre Dave Tiueti was the creator of Neath's second try as a typically powerful midfield drive set up Shane Williams in the left corner.

We didn't put a tackle in for the first 15 minutes Neath coach Lyn Jones

And five minutes before half-time, young flanker Simon Peters was driven over for Neath's third try.

Connor could only manage one conversion so Newport held a 21-17 half-time advantage.

Neath, though, needed only five minutes of the second period to complete a remarkable comeback.

First to cross was winger Richard Carter and then two tries in quick succession from hooker Barry Williams and full-back Adrian Durston sent Neath clear.

Connor had found his range by now to add the conversions and give his side a 38-21 lead.

Newport threatened to ignite a comeback of their own when winger Alex Cadwallader scored his side's fourth try after good work from centre Andy Marinos.

But barely a minute later Connor restablished Neath's advantage when he benefited from Newport's sloppy passing.

Carter grabbed his second try on an impressive debut and then Newport's Scott Williams ended the try scoring with a last minute effort to end a hugely entertaining game.

Neath: A Durston, R Carter, J Leyshon, D Tiueti, S Williams, S Connor, P Horgan, D Jones, B Williams, P James, A Newman, L Bateman, H Jenkins, R Phillips, Peters.
Replacements: S Marsden, L Jarvis, A Moore, B Sinkinson, S Martin, Griffiths, A Millward.

Newport: B Breeze; A Cadwallader, N Brew, A Marinos, L Nabaro; M Hook, D Llewellyn; D Pattison, J Richards, R Thomas, M Veater, I Gough, A Powell, R Jones, G Gravell.
Replacements: S Williams, O Tonu'u, C Anthony, T R Thomas, S Raiwalui, M Voyle.

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRFU)