The Black & Ambers scored seven tries in the first half, to lead 47-7 at the break, followed by a further six tries in the second.
Outside half Matt O’Brien, twice, centres Joe Westwood and Chay Foster-Smith, wingers Iwan Prys Jones and Lloyd Lewis and scrum-half Che Hope all dotted down for Newport in the first 40 minutes. O’Brien added the extras to six of them.
Skipper Ben Roach then helped himself to a second half hat-trick with lock Rynard Landman and back-rower Josh Reid also scoring tries with Lewis grabbing his second of the match to round off the try scoring.
O’Brien added another six conversions to finish with a 34-point haul of two tries and 12 conversions.
Wing Corum Nott scored twice on debut for Bridgend with Gabe Lacey and Edd Howley also on the scoresheet to ensure they left with a bonus point. Jamin Hodgkins kicked the conversions.
Llandovery made sure of a home play-off semi-final with a 27-24 win at Aberavon. The double-chasing Drovers, fresh from a third cup triumph six days earlier, only needed a point from their remaining three league matches to ensure they will be at Church Bank in the semis as they bid to retain their Premiership crown.
Left wing Aaron Warren, inside centre Rhodri Jones and lock Chris Long scored first half tries for the visitors at the Talbot Athletic Ground with captain and scrum half Lee Rees making sure of the bonus point for Euros Evans’ men with a fourth try in the second half.
Jack Maynard kicked two conversions and a penalty, while Luke Davies, Rhodri Cole and Brad Roderick were the Wizards’ try scorers, all converted by James Davies who also sent over a penalty.
The result takes Llandovery on to 95 points, nine behind leaders Newport with two games in hand. With Newport having now finished their regular fixtures, the Drovers can still finish top which would also ensure a home final should they win their semi.
Ebbw Vale are certain of third spot. They recovered from 24-15 down at half time to run out eventual 28-24 victors at Carmarthen Quins.
A much-changed Steelmen side had earlier gone 12-0 up through tries from hooker Ieuan Morris and Hamish Anderson, who was making his first start on the wing. Outside half Kieran Meek converted the latter’s try.
But Quins, looking to restore some pride after their 77-7 mauling at Cardiff the week before, hit back with two tries from full-back Rhodri Davies and one for outside centre Iestyn Gwillam. All three tries were converted by outside half Charlie Titcombe who also kicked a penalty.
Ebbw replacement Owen Hatherill scored the only try of the second half, converted by Meek, with two further Meek penalties adding to one in the first half ensured the visitors left west Wales with the win.
Centre Dom Franchi, who captained the side at Carmarthen Park, said: “It was a tough one, especially with the conditions. It’s not an easy place to come, so really proud of the boys.
“We stuck at it, dug in deep and we got the job done. We made a lot of changes and momentum can go when you do that, but it’s about our culture.
“Everyone’s pushing for a spot in our 15 and with a performance like that it’s really good to have competition in the team and it’s good to see the youngsters putting their hand up for the next game.”
Cardiff, meanwhile, won 47-24 against beaten cup finalists Merthyr to cement fourth. The Blue & Blacks will now travel to either Newport or Llandovery in the play-off semi-finals.
For the second weekend in succession, Cardiff made a lightning quick start to run riot over their opponents in the first half at the Arms Park.
Six of the hosts’ seven tries were scored in the first half courtesy of wing Dewi Cross, twice, skipper Morgan Allen, lock Craig Hudd and back rowers Lucas de la Rua and Nathan Hudd. Arwel Robson converted all six tries for a 42-7 half time lead.
Sean Moore scored a seventh – unconverted – Cardiff try in the second half. Jack Kathrens, Lloyd Rowlands, Ethan Lloyd and Gareth Thompson got the Merthyr tries. Thompson added two conversions.
Elsewhere, Swansea overcame Neath 33-25 in an entertaining clash at St Helen’s. Harri Houston was at the double for the Whites who also had Rhys Jones, Matt Dodd and Owen Thomas among their scorers. Jones added four conversions.
Ryan Griffiths, Kieran Charles and Chris Morris went over for Neath. Kristian Jones kicked two conversions while Steff Williams added two penalties.
