Newport made it eight consecutive bonus-point wins with another comprehensive defeat of Pontypridd in the Indigo Premiership.
The Black and Ambers ran in seven tries in a thumping 45-10 win at Sardis Road. Five of those tries came in the first half, courtesy of full-back Jac Lloyd, a penalty try, wings Elliot Frewen and Lloyd Lewis along with prop Josh Reynolds.
Outside half Matt O’Brien kicked two conversions for a 31-3 lead at half time. Josh Phillips kicked a penalty for Pontypridd who were left to rue their indiscipline with skipper Kristian Parker and prop Tom Harper sent to the sin bin.
Lock Josh Skinner and openside flanker Iwan Prys Jones ran in second half tries for Ty Morris’ side, with O’Brien adding the extras to both. Cai James grabbed a consolation try for Pontypridd, which Ben Burnell improved with Ben Stephens and Newport’s Garin Harris respectively also sin binned.
Having also run out 54-3 winners at Newport Stadium back in November it means Newport have run in 99 points against Pontypridd this season. It moved them 10 points behind Llandovery and five points clear of third placed Ebbw Vale – and still with a game in hand on both of those sides – ahead of a big game against Cardiff at Rodney Parade.
Following the match Pontypridd announced that coaches Lee Davies, Geraint Lewis, Gareth Wyatt and team manager Dan Godfrey had all decided to step down from their roles with immediate effect.
Long serving second row Chris Dicomidis has assumed interim head coach responsibilities the remainder of the season, assisted by Garyn Smith and Kristian Parker.
Elsewhere, Carmarthen Quins ran in eight tries in a thumping 56-17 home triumph over Aberavon.
Scrum-half Rhodri Davies, on his 50th appearance for the Quins, wing Dale Ford, second row Ryan Bean and number eight Lewys Millin were among the Quins try scorers.
The Wizards scored two tries in reply, courtesy of Rhodri Hughes and Bradley Roderick, but they were well beaten in west Wales and the defeat is a blow to their chances of chasing down the fourth play-off spot. Aberavon, in sixth, remain 10 points back on Cardiff in fourth.
Meanwhile, the result for the Quins sees them go above RGC – who were defeated 17-15 at home by bottom club Neath.
Kristian Jones’ late penalty secured a first win on the road this season for the Welsh All Blacks.
Dion Jones had a chance to snatch it for RGC with the last kick but his penalty went wide.
