Like the Drovers, Dale McIntosh’s side now boast a perfect record of five wins from five and on this form it will be hard to see many sides troubling them as the season progresses.
And while were Ponty were undisputedly deserved winners of the contest, the sending off of Neath flanker Emyr Williams in the 25th minute undeniably changed the game.
It was the visitors who drew first blood straight from the kick off as fly-half Dai Flanagan kicked an early penalty. The home team responded with a period of pressure and drew level through a Dai Langdon penalty.
Both teams were wrestling for possession in the loose making for a competitive start to the game. But it was Ponty who again took the initiative, driving into the home 22 then showing good continuity to put winger Matthew Nuthall over in the corner, the conversion from Flanagan rebounding in off the post.
From the restart Ponty struck again as No. 8 Dan Godfrey instigated a dynamic break, well supported by flanker Wayne O’Connor who crossed for another try. Flanagan converted as Ponty began to put their stamp on the game.
The game then changed for the worse for the home side when Williams was shown a straight red card for Neath.
And Ponty did not let up, capitalising on their one man advantage with Flanagan slotting over two quick penalties in succession to emphasise his side’s superiority.
A frenetic end to the first half saw Neath apply concerted pressure to their opponents’ line, centre Gareth McCarthy going over for a close range try which Langdon converted before Flanagan retaliated with another penalty to give Pontypridd an interval advantage of 10-26.
The second half started as had the first with Flanagan putting over an early penalty for Ponty.
Neath responded by driving up to the visitors’ line, the Ponty defence holding out stubbornly and then turning defence into attack. After a strong run by winger Lewis Williams, lock Cory Hill crossed for a try which Flanagan converted.
Hooker Rhodri Clancy powered over from close range for a Neath response but Nuthall soon squeezed in for a bonus point try for which Flanagan once again converted.
Godfrey claimed another score for Ponty, this time converted by replacement Lewis K Williams to bring up a half century of points. Holding out against another period of home pressure, and despite having Godfrey sent to the sin bin, Ponty once more cleared upfield and surged over the line for a try claimed by second row Craig Locke, the conversion added by Williams.
It was all Ponty as the game went into a period of injury time, the Valley Commandoes driving on from a line out take for prop Scott Roberts to score a seventh try, the conversion from Williams registering an emphatic away victory.
