Kristian Parker, Louis Rochefort-Shugar, Cai James and Dale Stuckey were also on the scoresheet in a magnificent seven-try bonus-point triumph for the Valley Commandos. Jacob Symes and Jayden Pugh each kicked three conversions.
Gareth Andrew scored the sole Bonymaen try, converted by Cameron Setter, in what was only the third meeting of the two clubs in a competitive fixture. The previous two encounters both took place in the Welsh Cup at Sardis Road, in December 1997 and February 1999, with both ending in comfortable wins for Ponty.
The win takes Pontypridd five points clear of both Neath, who were not in league action at the weekend, and Merthyr – who were defeated 24-17 at Llangennech.
Hooker Finn Thomas scored twice for Llan, who were also awarded a penalty try. Steff Marshall added two conversions and a penalty.
Merthyr also had a penalty try, with Jacob Lloyd also scoring and converting one himself along with a penalty, but the Ironmen were ultimately left to rue a string of yellow cards.
Having started the season with maximum points and four impressive wins, it is now back-to-back league defeats for Merthyr – ahead of next Saturday’s home clash against rivals Pontypridd.
Bargoed, in fourth, are two points further back after their 31-14 home success over Brecon. It was a victory inspired by a try treble for left wing Rhys Thomas, with Matthew Lewis and Ashley Norton also crashing over. Josh Prosser added three conversions.
Cardiff Met were victorious on the road for the first time this season with a Gus Patterson-inspired 38-20 success at Narberth. Centre Patterson helped himself to a hat-trick with Max Surry and Ryan Cozens the other Met try scorers at the Lewis-Lloyd Ground, while Ross McKay sent over five conversions and a penalty.
“It’s obviously a tough place to come, but we came with a game plan and we stuck to it,” said outside half McKay.
“We were a little bit sloppy at the end with conceding a couple of late tries, but we’re really happy with our performance and getting a bonus point win away from home.
“We believe in ourselves that we’re a good team, but getting an away win and putting in a performance that actually represents what we think we are is important.
“To get the win firstly, and then a convincing win, we’re really happy as a group and hopefully we’ll be able to kick on now.”
Harry Fuller, Josh Hamer, Tom Powell and Roy Osborne scored for Narberth – who at least hit back to take a bonus point from 38-5 down, but the Otters remain bottom and still seeking their maiden win in the Premiership.
Five second half tries inspired Ystrad Rhondda to a 40-9 home victory over Cross Keys. Only a point separated the sides at the break, with Cole Morgan’s try, converted by Rhys Truelove, giving the hosts the edge 7-6 – with Adam Tetley kicking two penalties for the visitors.
But after the break a brace from McCauley Rowley and tries from Jordan Pritchard, Logan Hutchings and Callum Davies secured Ystrad a comfortable win. Truelove finished with a total of four conversions and Ryan Evans one. Tetley replied with a third penalty for Keys.
