Montgomery got Newport started
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Newport kept alive their hopes of a top-two finish in the Welsh Premiership with a narrow win over Pontypridd.
The visitors prevailed in a bad-tempered clash at Sardis Road despite making a slow start.
Pontypridd had the better of the early exchanges but in the ninth minute Newport took the lead against the run of play with a 45-metre penalty from Percy Montgomery.
Newport grew in confidence and increased their lead with a try from Andy Marinos, which was converted by Montgomery.
Neil Jenkins cut the gap with a 32-metre penalty, but Newport quickly responded with a gem of a try from Ben Breeze, again converted by Montgomery.
Pontypridd (6) 25
Tries: Penalty, Davies, G. Lewis. Cons: N. Jenkins 2
Pens: N. Jenkins 2
Newport (17) 30
Tries: Cadwallader, Marinos, Breeze
Pens: Montgomery 2, Strange
Att: 2,000
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Right on the interval Jason Strange was yellow-carded and from the resulting penalty Jenkins kicked his second goal.
Pontypridd began the second half well and a break by Gareth Wyatt nearly produced a score.
The hosts continued on the attack and after much pressure near the line Geraint Lewis crossed under the posts and Jenkins converted.
In the 55th minute Jason Lewis was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle. This let Newport off the hook and the visitors added another try through Alex Cadwalader.
In the closing stages Strange increased Newport's hold on the game with a penalty.
Pontypridd answered with a penalty try, Newport flanker Matt Veater being set off after a mass brawl from the collapsed maul.
Mefin Davies rounded off the scoring with a try, but 14-man Newport were able to hang on.
Pontypridd: Brett Davey; Gareth Wyatt, Jason Lewis, Jon Bryant, Mathew Nuthall; Neil Jenkins, Paul John; Neil Hennessy, Mefin Davies (capt), Duncan Bell, Brent Cockbain, Robert Sidoli, Geraint Lewis, Wayne O'Connor, Dale McIntosh.
Replacements: Gareth Baber, Ceri Sweeney, Richard Johnston, Kingsley Jones, Mark Lewis, AN Other, AN Other.
Newport: P Montgomery; A Cadwallader, N Brew, A Marinos, B Breeze; J Strange, D Llewellyn; D Pattison, J Richards, R Thomas, S Raiwalui (capt), I Gough, M Veater, A Powell, G Gravell.
Replacements: C Anthony, T Thomas, L Charteris / J Powell, R Jones, L Lane, S Williams, M Hook.
Ref: Neil Ballard (Cardiff)
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MMIX
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