There was a shock at the top of the Principality Premiership as second-placed Newport slumped to their second defeat of the season.
Aberavon put the Black and Ambers to the sword at the Talbot Athletic Ground as they triumphed 41-25.
No8 Richard Morris celebrated his 100th league try for Aberavon, with young Ospreys centre Ashley Beck scoring twice. Winger Richard Thomas and full back Ricky Thomas completed the try scoring for the hosts, with Matthew Jarvis kicking four penalties and two conversions.
Black and Ambers centre Pat Leach touched down for the guests, followed by scrum-half James Leadbeater and outside-half Lewis Roblin. Roblin added two conversions and two penalties, but it wasn’t enough to save high-flying Newport from defeat.
Current title holders Neath kick-started their campaign with a 16-13 win at the Gnoll over league leaders Pontypridd. Matthew Nuthall scored the only try for Ponty, who were previously unbeaten. That effort was coolly converted by Dean Gunter, who also scored two penalties.
But the Welsh All Blacks were awarded a penalty try after a succession of scrum offences on the Pontypridd five-metre line. James Thomas added the rest of the points with the boot with three penalties and a conversion.
Glamorgan Wanderers’ fixture with third placed Swansea turned into a try fest, as the visitors scored seven times. Second-row Sam Kiley crashed over twice, with No8 Steffan Jones and wing Nicky Thomas among the try-scorers for the All Whites. Marc Thomas grabbed a double at the Memorial Ground, but the Wanderers still remain without a win this term.
Tonmawr left it late against Camarthen Quins, with a closely fought 29-28 victory for the visitors. Camarthen had led 19-16 at half time, with winger Ryan Llewelyn and No8 Sione Timani touching down for the hosts at Carmarthen Park.
But Tonmawr chalked up three tries, including a charging run from centre Darren Richey to win the game. Outside-half Dai Flannigan kicked three penalties and two conversions to seal the deal late on.
Pontypool recorded a third win of the season as Cardiff continued their poor form with their fourth loss on the trot. Pooler scored a single try through centre Max Woodward, while player-coach Shaun Connor secured the rest of the points with a conversion, penalty and a brace of drop goals.
Cross Keys recorded a 27-19 victory over Llanelli at Pandy Park. Steffan Jones was the difference between the two teams, contributing a 27-point haul in a virtuoso display.
Llanelli had three tries through Matt Gilbert, Gareth Davies and Chris Keenan but it wasn’t enough to stop Keys.
