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The Black and Ambers strolled to a 40-17 win over a tough Bridgend outfit at Rodney Parade, with prolific outside-half Dan Griffiths chiming in with 15 points. The Ravens were trailing by only five points at the break, but Newport moved up a gear and tries to backs Richard Payne, Gareth Chapman and Paul Williams ended the match as a contest. The win cements Newport's place at the top of the table, although surprise package Carmarthen Quins are keeping them honest and trail only on try difference. Quins produced a hard-fought 14-6 win over previously unbeaten Cross Keys, with scrum-half Ricky Richards again scoring the crucial try after the sides went into the break at 6-all.
Elsewhere, unbeaten Neath confirmed their ranking as title contenders with a 39-17 mauling at Bedwas, romping to a 32-5 lead at the halftime break on the back of fullback Neil Clapham's hat-trick of tries. The Welsh All Blacks took their foot off the throat in the second spell, allowing Bedwas winger Matthew Pizey to grab a try double. Llanelli continued their solid start to the season with a 33-10 victory at Llandovery. The Scarlets ran in five tries, including a double to winger Darren Daniel, while the Drovers had to be content with a 10-point haul from outside-half Gareth Morgan, who has already racked up 50 for the season.
Llandovery have scored a paltry three tries in their opening five games and will be in the thick of the relegation battle at the end of the season, where they are likely to joined by the likes of Caerphilly and promoted side Llanharan. Caerphilly fell 7-37 at Newbridge and finished the match with 14 men after a red card to replacement prop Feao Vunipola. Centre Jonathan Williams scored a try and added 17 points with the boot in a one-sided affair, and Mark Ring's Cheesemen are still looking for their first win of the season.
In the first-ever League meeting between the two sides, Cardiff beat Llanharan 41-33 in an entertaining match at the Dairy Field. Both sides scored five tries, with Cardiff fly-half Chris Anderson producing a flawless goal-kicking performance to edge the visitors ahead at the final whistle. Pontypridd goal-kicker Jason Pocock bagged five penalty goals to clinch a 25-17 victory over a struggling Ebbw Vale, while Pontypool climbed off the bottom of the table with their first win - a come-from-behind 34-17 victory over Swansea. Fly-half Sam Mills kicked 19 points as the home side overcame a 9-17 deficit at the break to score 25 unanswered points - including three tries - in the second spell.
Welsh Premier Division Results
Bedwas 17 Neath 39
Carmarthen Quins 14 Cross Keys 6
Llandovery 10 Llanelli 33
Llanharan 33 Cardiff 41
Newbridge 37 Caerphilly 7
Newport 40 Bridgend 17
Pontypool 34 Swansea 17
Pontypridd 25 Ebbw Vale 17
