NEWPORT moved to the top of the Indigo Premiership on Thursday (Feb 17) as they beat Pontypridd 36-7.
The game was barely a minute old when Newport worked the ball to the right before Luke Crane dived over. Will Reed then added the extras.
The visitors were then reduced to 14 men for ten minutes as Joe Miles was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle in which his head made contact with the head of the Newport player.
Rhys Jenkins then went over for Newport’s second try of the game and Reed added the extras.
Louis Jones was next to go over for the Black and Ambers but the missed conversion saw the score stay at 19-0.
On the stroke of half time Newport were reduced to 14 following a series of infringements but that didn’t stop them as they soon had their bonus point try.
The visitors had looked to score but Newport were able to gain possession and take the ball up the other end before the pass out wide to Dafydd Smith who dived over in the corner.
The conversion was missed but Newport held a 24-0 lead at half time.
Pontypridd started the second half well but despite their spell of pressure it was Newport who increased their lead.
Captain Matt O’Brien timed his run perfectly to intercept a pass and he ran on to score. Reed then added the extras to make it 31-0.
Ponty kept going and were rewarded with a try shortly before the end with a converted try from Dale Stuckey.
Newport had the last laugh though as Matthew Powell crossed for the home side’s sixth try of the game. The conversion was missed but it did not matter as Newport had sealed a 36-7 win.
Newport are in action on Thursday, February 24, as they travel to Ebbw Vale for a game that kicks off at 7:30pm.
Pontypridd are next in action on Sunday, February 27, when they make the trip to Llandovery for a 2:30pm kick off.
