NEWPORT RFC made it eight bonus-point wins on the spin when cruising to victory against Pontypridd in the Premiership.

The Black and Ambers won 45-10 at Sardis Road on Thursday evening to close the gap to leaders Llandovery to 10 points with a game in hand.

Ty Morris' men ran in seven tries, five of them in the first half to get the job done with a 31-3 lead.

“It was a physical battle out there but we put it away with how clinical we were in the first half,” said the head coach. “Every time we went into their 22 we came away with points and that is credit to the boys.

“We speak about being in the top two and having a home play-off final, that’s what we are trying to achieve but we have some big games coming up with Cardiff, Ebbw and Llandovery. All of those will have a say in where we finish.”

Newport hit the front in the 11th minute when full-back Jac Lloyd cut inside to finish after an initial break by centre Chay Foster-Smith.

Matt O'Brien converted and then it was 14-0 in the 22nd minute courtesy of a penalty try when Kristian Parker sacked a driving lineout, an offence that also led to a yellow card.

Ponty got on the scoreboard through the boot of Josh Phillips but the Black and Ambers scored number three after 27 minutes when wing Elliot Frewen finished off down the left from a delightfully floated O'Brien pass.

The bonus-point try came in the 37th minute when wing Lloyd Lewis went over down the right and a fifth was scored with the clock in the red when Dragons loosehead Josh Reynolds, on his return from a torn pectoral muscle, smashed over from close range after a quick tap.

Newport didn't score in the third quarter but, with Garin Harris in the sin bin, made light of a numerical disadvantage to go over in the 61st minute through Josh Skinner from close range.

Ponty struck when back row forward Cai James hacked on and won the race but the visitors responded swiftly, Wales sevens international Iwan Pyrs Jones gathering O'Brien's cross-kick to go over down the left for his first try for the club.

“We are coming to the end of the season now and fighting for that top spot,” said captain Ben Roach. “The boys are digging in, it was a scrappy affair at times but we came away with the five points.”

Newport host Cardiff at Rodney Parade next Saturday and will be hoping for a favour from Gwent rivals Pontypool on the Thursday when they host Llandovery.

Fifth-placed Pooler will drop a place if Aberavon win at Carmarthen Quins this weekend while Neath head to RGC.