A storming first-half performance saw Neath play some spectacular rugby to make sure of a second Welsh Premiership win of the season.

Ebbw Vale earned some respect by taking the second-half honours, but never looked like overtaking the home side.

Neath dominated possession and territory from the start as Ebbw looked out classed at the Gnoll.

The decision paid off on 15 minutes as number eight Hywel Jenkins was driven over by his fellow forwards from a line-out.

The All Blacks wasted three clear chances, but still took control when a move from halfway was finished off by Sean Marsden. And then the floodgates opened.

Gareth Morris crossed twice - the first after a spectacular break by Dave Tiueti - while prop Andrew Millward crashed over from a lineout.

Connor kicked three conversions to make it 34-0 at the interval. A yellow card for Vale fly-half Mark Meenan also added to their misery.

Downhill

But Ebbw drastically improved their display with 14 men after the break as full-back Richard Davies moved up to fly-half.

And they were rewarded when number eight Kati Tuipulotu crossed 10 minutes into the second-half.

Meenan converted with his first touch back on the field.

Handling errors close to the tryline cost both sides tries as the standard of the game went downhill.

Neath winger Gareth Morris became the second played sent to the sin-bin for obstruction.

In the closing stages, Rhys Shorney scrambled over from close range for Ebbw's second try and Meenan was denied later by a marginal forward pass decision.

But it was all too late to trouble to Neath's commanding lead.

Neath: A Durston; G Morris, J Leyshon, D Tiueti, S Marsden; S Connor, A Moore; D Jones, S Jones, A Millward, A Newman, L Bateman, R Phillips, H Jenkins, S Tandy.
Reps: P James, B Williams, A Jones, N Bonner-Evans, L Jarvis, K James, R Richards.

Ebbw Vale: R Davies; R Shorney, N Wakeley, M Ridley, A Takarangi; M Meenan, B Shelbourne; A Black, L Phillips, M Jones, C Billen, P Sidoli, R Williams, K Tuipulotu, K Jones.
Reps: A May, J Evans, Rowlands, W Thomas, P Williams, A Bevan, S Mitchell.

Referee: Hugh Watkins (Welsh RFU)