NEWPORT swept impressively to the top of the Welsh/Scottish League Table for the first time this season with a magnificent 33-6 performance at Sardis Road.

Newport scored five tries, as well as having two disallowed, as they romped to a record victory at Pontypridd.

Tearaway prop Rod Snow got the first two and Matt Pini, Jason Forster and Jonathan Pritchard the other three as Newport completely dominated the game. It could have been 50.

The pack was completely in charge in every area, young No 8 Andrew Powell profiting, while the backs were able to express themselves also.

Newport carried on where they left off at the start of the second half and they scored their third try within three minutes.

Howarth put a beautifully judged kick towards the corner and Pini gathered the ball in full flight to score near the corner.

Howarth failed to convert and also put a dropped goal shot wide, but Newport were in total command and a fierce drive by the pack produced a fourth try.

Pontypridd were scattered in all directions and Jason Forster immerged as the try scorer from under the pile of bodies. But Howarth again missed the conversion. Rival flankers Parks and Forster were both yellow carded midway through the second half after swapping a whole series of punches. Pontypridd nearly made it count when Sonny Parker broke through, but Powell brought off a brilliant try saving tackle.

Newport brought on Dale Burn, Mike Voyle, Paul Young and Jason Strange as replacements, Strange immediately succeeding with a penalty.

Newport rubbed in their overwhelming superiority with a fifth try in injury time when Pritchard burst clean through the middle and over the line for Strange to convert.

Newport made an electrifying start and Jonathan Pritchard twice broke through, the second time all the way to the line after intercepting a Nicky Little pass only to be recalled for offside.

Instead of a possible seven points to Newport, it was three to Pontypridd as Little kicked the resultant penalty.

But Newport opened Pontypridd up to score a super opening try after 14 minutes. Twice Ofisa Tonu'u probed and the second time Matt Mostyn broke through easily and Snow was up in support to barge across for a try.

The Newport pack was in command and one formidable drive for the fully 30 yards, but the back could not take advantage.

Newport were again falling foul of referee Gareth Simmonds at the scrum, which will further enrage coach Ian McIntosh.

And Newport were turned over after Andrew Powell broke from a scrum made worse when they were penalised for crossing.

But Newport then scored a sensational try. Peter Buxton and Simon Raiwalui drove yards down the right, Andy Marinos threw a hugh pass out to Ben Breeze on the left and when the ball was switched back inside Powell strode through and Tonu'u moved it right where Raiwalui half fumbled only for Snow to gather and hurl himself across for his second try. But Newport spoilt it by conceding another penalty after Powell foolishly ran the ball out and Little kicked it.

But Howarth responded by finding the target for the first time with a well judged penalty. Newport were over the line again when Howarth kicked high to the right, Powell caught the ball and swept over, but the touch judge ruled that Ian Gough had been guilty of obstruction and the effort was disallowed.