Jones stars as Newport turn on the style
Pontypridd………….. 10
Newport……………….26
Newport's quest for back-to-back Premiership Cups continued in style as they comfortably beat Pontyrpidd.
Three first-half tries from Thomas Davies, Sam Jones and Dafydd Buckland gave the Black & Ambers a 19-5 interval lead. Winger Jones added his second try at the start of the second half to seal the victory.
Despite a 50/22 from scrum-half Joel Raikes, it was Newport who opened the scoring after a 50/22 of their own from Matt O'Brien. The lineout saw Newport use their rolling maul as loosehead Davies rumbled over.
Newport centre Chay Foster-Smith then broke through the Ponty defence to create a simple two on one to put Jones over in the corner. Ponty's initial response was good as they managed to gain some territory inside the Newport 22.
Following a number of penalties against them, scrum-half Dafydd Buckland was shown a yellow card and Ponty used their man advantage to work full-back Dale Stuckey over the line.
Buckland returned to score his side's third try following a break from wing Elliot Frewen.
Newport started the second half exactly how they ended the first, Wales U20 centre Harri Ackerman providing the assist for winger Jones to score again.
Ponty did cross again in the dying minutes thanks to wing Alex Lloyd, but it was too little, too late.
Star man: Sam Jones – Newport
