The reigning champions made it six from six in the defence of their title as they took full advantage of home back row man Emyr Williams’ red card in the first half. The Neath back row man was dismissed for fighting by referee Ian Davies.
Ponty were 26-10 ahead by the interval and notched their bonus point try when wing Matthew Nuthall crossed for his second try. Dai Flanagan added the extras and the outside half ended with a match haul of 23 points.
“We’ve been threatening to put together a performance like at times this season, but today we clicked. More than anything I pleased that we put our game together for more than 40 minutes,” said Ponty team manager Richard Langmead.
“Any win at Neath is a huge achievement, and to register 60+ points is a great morale booster going into the second month of the campaign.”
Neath had tries from centre Gareth McCarthy and hooker Richard Clancy to give them something to cling on to, but they now find themselves four off the bottom after the first six outings.
Llandovery picked up another bonus point victory as they blew away Newport in the second half to win 38-19. Four second half tries, two of which came in injury time with the visitors down to 14 men, gave the Drovers an emphatic victory in the end with scrum half Rhodri Williams bagging two of the six tries.
Aberavon had to use some wizardry to get their first win of the season after they found themselves trailing 19-5 at home to Bedwas. The visitors were seeking their first win at the Talbot Athletic Ground in 12 visits and must have fancied their chances when they changed ends 16-5 to the good.
But three second half tries for Simon King’s side, and a last gasp penalty from outside half Craig Evans, turned the game on its head and moved Aberavon off the bottom and hauled them above Bridgend.
Bedwas got off to a flying start with two tries in the opening five minutes through Rhys Hutcheson and Tom Rowlands. Richard Powell missed both conversions and a penalty, but eventually found his range to extend the lead to 13-0.
Aberavon’s response was a wonderful try from 70 metres by wing Richard Thomas, which ended a three hour try for a five pointer, but two more Powell penalties took Bedwas clear. Then came the magical revival and a slice of luck, when Dragons full back Hallam Amos was pulled back for a forward pass after crossing the home line.
Llanelli outside half Johnny Lewis won the battle of the boots at Parc y Stradey as he landed four penalties to one each by opposite numbers Dorian Jones and Dean Gunter. All four kicks came in the first half, while Jones kicked one for Keys on the stroke of half-time and Gunter landed his on the final whistle.
The Carmarthen Quins wings ran in three of their side’s four tries in a 28-18 victory at the Brewery Field over Bridgend. Former Scarlets flyer Darren Daniel grabbed one and Jason Harries helped himself to two, the latter earning his side the bonus point in injury time.
Wales Under 20 wing Luke Morgan got one of the home side’s two tries, with back row man Arthur Ellis getting the other.
