Outside-half Jason Tovey was in top form as Newport returned to winning ways with an emphatic 35-0 Premiership bonus point victory over Pontypridd at Rodney Parade.

Tovey showed his class with some superb kicking for position and clever chips ahead that had the visitors’ defence scrambling to close the gaps.

He also had a hand in one of Newport’s four tries as well as kicking two penalties, a dropped goal and three conversions.

Powerful number eight and captain Andrew Coombs, flanker Craig Hill and full-back Dan Griffiths, making his 150th appearance for the Black and Ambers and who swapped positions to allow Tovey to play at 10, all stormed over for first-half tries to establish a commanding 25-0 lead at the break.

After a bright start, Ponty looked a shadow of the side who had chalked up successive league wins over Glamorgan Wanderers, Llanelli, Aberavon and Pontypool.

To be fair they were weakened by injuries and unavailability but Newport looked far sharper in all phases of the game.

The second half was more of a contest but Coombs got over for his second try in the 50th minute, converted by Tovey who also put over a dropped goal after 66 minutes.

It was just the top flight performance Newport needed to put last week’s disappointing 17-13 home defeat agains tLlanelli well and truly behind them.

The result pushes Newport up into second place in the table, one point behind leaders Llanelli and eight clear of champions Neath.

Newport scorers: tries – A Coombs (2), C Hill, D Griffiths; conversions – J Tovey (3); penalties – J Tovey (2); dropped goal – J Tovey.