Two late drop-goals by the Swansea fly-half Gavin Henson dropped Neath out of the championship race on a night when the contenders for the final Welsh-Scottish league title fell from four to three.

With Llanelli running riot at Caerphilly last night and Cardiff brushing aside Bridgend, the title could be decided when the Scarlets travel to the Arms Park on Friday night, but Newport face a weakened Pontypridd at Rodney Parade tonight.

If Newport win their final two matches and Cardiff beat Llanelli, the Black and Ambers will be crowned champions. Though Neath still lead the table, they cannot finish top because either Cardiff or Llanelli will finish above them.

It was Neath's Lee Jarvis who broke the deadlock at St Helen's last night when he collected his own chip ahead just inside the Swansea half amd raced through to cross the line before converting his own try. He soon added a drop goal as the visitors extended their lead.

But if Neath had dreams of the title, they were rudely interrupted when Swansea started to pile on the pressure. Henson slotted over a 25-yard penalty and prop Darren Morris finished off a move started by wing Shaun Payne. Henson's conversion was just wide.

The see-saw nature of the game continued after the break. Henson's third penalty gave his side a one-point advantage but Jarvis quickly replied with his third drop-goal of the evening.

The lead changed hands for the fifth time when Henson dropped a 30-yard goal and when he repeated the feat nine minutes from time, the title was slipping away from Neath.

They rallied without ever looking convincing and their frustration was complete in stoppage time when the centre James Storey saw yellow for a late tackle..

Swansea: Morgan; Payne, Winn (Taylor 12min), Gibbs (capt), Lima; Henson, Martens; Morris, G Jenkins, Evans, Maullin, Jones, Lewis, Thomas, H Jenkins.

Scorers: Try: Morris. Penalties: Henson 3. Drop-goals: Henson 2.

Neath: Connor; James, Tiueti, Storey, Dewdney (S Williams 46); Jarvis, Horgan (Moore 46); D Jones, Williams, Millward (A Jones 60), Martin, Llewellyn, Mocelutu, Sinkinson, Bonner-Evans (Phillips 60).

Scorers: Try: Jarvis. Conversion: Jarvis. Drop-goals: Henson 3.

Sin-bin: Storey 80min.

Referee: G Simmonds (Cardiff)

Attendance: 7,500