WELSH PREMIERSHIP Swansea (26) 36 Tries: R Pugh (2), M Taylor, G Swales, J Griffiths. Cons: G Henson (4). Pen: Henson. Pontypridd (17) 31 Tries: R Parks, G Baber, B Davey, M Davies. Cons: C Sweeney (2), N Jenkins (2). Pen: Sweeney. Att: 2,500

The return of Swansea's remaining big names under the watchful eye of new regional coach Lyn Jones saw them run in five tries to the visitors' four.

Of concern to the home side will be injuries that saw James Bater stretchered off at half-time and Gavin Henson suffer a similar fate on the final whistle.

The result was a disappointment for Pontypridd coach Lynn Howells, but his eye will be focused on next week's Parker Pen Cup return with Wasps at Sardis Road.

The All Whites exploded out of the blocks, young winger Richard Pugh gathering an excellent Gavin Henson kick for the opening try.

Soon after visiting full-back Brett Davey fumbled behind his posts, allowing Mark Taylor to follow up for a farcical score.

A rare Scott Gibbs grubber was gathered by Pugh for the All Whites' third, but Ponty were finally kick-started into action and mounted a spirited fight back.

Pontypridd tries came from Richard Parks and Gareth Baber, but a Gareth Swales effort kept the Whites in front.

With young Swansea hooker Michael White sin binned soon after half-time, a Brett Davey score had the home side reeling.

But the All Whites showed the character that has been lacking all too often this season, and a James Griffiths five-pointer settled the nerves.

Mefin Davies got the visitors back to within a score, but Swansea held on in the last quarter of an hour for a rare victory.

Swansea: G Swales; R Pugh, M Taylor, S Gibbs (capt), M Robinson; G Henson, R Jones; S Pope, M White, L May, A Farley, J Griffiths, R Francis, J Bater, D Thomas.
Replacements: D Pittard, A Thomas, D Dorsey, L Powell, T Evans, I Evans, J Horner.

Pontypridd: Brett Davey; Gareth Wyatt, Sonny Parker, Jon Bryant, Emyr Lewis; Ceri Sweeney, Gareth Baber; Gethin Jenkins, Mefin Davies (capt), Duncan Bell, Brent Cockbain, Robert Sidoli, Nick Kelly, Richard Parks, Michael Owen.
Replacements: Matthew Rees, Sven Cronk, Dale McIntosh, Wayne O'Connor, Dale Burn, Neil Jenkins, Shaun James.

Ref: Phil Fear (WRU)