The hosts had recorded their first win of the season against RGC last weekend but were taken apart by a clinical Pontypridd side who scored nine tries to move up to seventh in the Premiership table. Tom Harper claimed Pontypridd’s first try as he powered over from short range, but the Ravens hit back with a fine individual score from outside half Paul Short.
The visitors were awarded a penalty try due to Bridgend defender Joseph Gatt not retreating 10 metres after a quick tap and go. He was also awarded a yellow card for his troubles, and soon after Rob Jones burrowed over for Pontypridd’s third try.
Stuart Floyd Ellis hit back with a try for Bridgend, but Pontypridd responded by claiming their bonus point after a tremendous solo chip and chase by full back Cole Swannack. Ceri Morris scored their fifth at the stroke of half time.
There was no stopping Pontypridd from here and scrum half Joel Raikes claimed their sixth try of the evening. Garyn Payne used his power to score their seventh from short range, before some quick thinking from Raikes put Dale Stuckey over for their eighth try. Jac Davies completed the scoring after running in unopposed from 50 metres out.
Indigo Group Premiership leaders Newport had to dig deep to hang onto their unbeaten record at St Helen’s with a 24-17 win. Swansea put them under so much pressure that it took two tries in injury time to earn them an eighth straight win.
The late tries from Ioan Davies and skipper Matt O’Brien were enough to cut a five-point deficit into a winning margin and push the Black & Ambers 12 points clear at the top. A superb lineout steal by Lennon Greggains gave Newport the platform from which to launch their first try-scoring move.
O’Brien split the home defence and his pass to Davies yielded the first score to the wing. It fell to outside half James Davies to get the home side on the scoreboard with a penalty and he then converted a 60-metre solo try from Josh Carrington try give the Whites a 10-5 interval advantage
Newport drew first blood once again in the second half when Greggains was on hand to complete a thrust from centre Jon Morris. Reed added the extras. Davies and Connor Tantum combined superbly to almost earn Swansea try, but the only reward they got was seeing the Black & Ambers then lost George Young to the sin-bin for killing the ball at the breakdown.
Morris soon followed him to the side for a dangerous tackle. Liam Seaward’s try, and Liam Popham conversion, then made it 17-12 to the home side with less than five minutes to play, but there was still a ting in the tail of a highly competitive game.
Newport caught a break at the re-start when Hanno Dirksen made a mistake. Moments later O’Brien crossed for a try which he also converted to regain the lead. Then Davies bagged his second try to secure an unlikely bonus-point.
Elsewhere in the league, Aberavon secured a 31- point home win against Llanelli, 45-14. Home side front rower Ieuan Davies got on the scoresheet with two tries for the afternoon.
