Seventeen points from Springbok star Percy Montgomery helped maintain Newport's challenge at the top of the table against a weakened Pontypridd at Rodney Parade.

His four penalties, drop goal and conversion were his first points for the Black and Ambers after his high-profile move to Wales last autumn.

The visitors were without 10 of their first-choice line-up, either injured or rested after their European exertions.

Montgomery's match haul was 17 points

With their future in the top flight in doubt following this week's political developments, Pontypridd were determined not to give up without a fight, but a spirited second-half was not enough to overcome the power of the home team.

Montgomery had a hand in Newport's first try, throwing a long pass to Matt Mostyn, who had the space to beat two defenders before handing inside to Hal Luscombe and taking the return pass to score in the corner.

Mostyn's second was more spectacular. He intercepted in his own 22 and raced 85 yards to give his side a 19-3 interval lead.

Match details:

Newport Tries: M Mostyn (2), O Tonu'u Con: P Montgomery Pens: Montgomery (4) DG: Montgomery Pontypridd Tries: C Sweeney, D Bell Cons: Sweeney (2) Pens: Sweeney (2)

Sweeney and Montgomery exchanged penalties at the start of the second half, then Sweeney put Ponty back in the hunt as he wriggled out of two tackles for a converted try.

Heavy Newport pressure was rewarded, though, when scrum-half Ofisa Tonu'u barged over and Montgomery converted from near the touchline.

Ponty retaliated with a try by prop Duncan Bell, also converted from the touchline by Sweeney, but it was too late.

Newport: P Montgomery; M Mostyn, H Luscombe, J Pritchard, L Nabaro; S Howarth, O Tonu'u; R Snow, J Richards, A Garvey, S Raiwalui (capt), M Voyle, I Gough, A Powell, J Forster.
Reps: A Cadwallader, J Strange, D Burn, C Anthony, P Young, S Ojomoh, R Jones.

Pontypridd: M Nuttall; G Wyatt, S James, J Lewis, E Lewis; C Sweeney, G Baber; N Hennessey, M Rees, D Bell, D McIntosh, R Sidoli, N Kelly, M Owen, W O'Connor.
Reps: B Davey, S Cronk, G Lewis, R Parks, P John, N Boobyer, M Davies.

Ref: David R Davies (Llanbrathach)