Newport went back to the top of Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC) with a home victory against champions Llandovery.

The Black and Ambers took advantage of Cardiff's first defeat of the season at Swansea on Thursday to regain first place with a 57-19 win against the Drovers, claiming a maximum six-point haul.

Third-placed Ebbw Vale had to dig deep to beat Aberavon 33-26 at Eugene Cross Park while Bridgend struck late to beat Pontypool 38-33.

Newport bounced back from their first disappointment, a hammering by RGC in Colwyn Bay, by running in nine tries against the Drovers.

They led 24-12 at half-time thanks to two tries by centre Chay Foster-Smith and efforts by flanker Hunter Ward and lock Nick Thomas.

Foster-Smith completed his hat-trick after Ward crossed for his second with hooker Henry Palmer scoring a late double and flanker Kyle Tayler-Woolston getting his first of the season on his return from injury.

Scrum-half Lucca Setaro, wing Llien Morgan and flanker Dan Gemine scored tries for Llandovery, who had won three successive games since being beaten by Newport at Church Bank.

Ebbw Vale edged a dramatic game against Aberavon at Eugene Cross Park.

Hooker Ieuan Morris, SRC's top try scorer last season thanks largely to the Steelmen's impressive driving line-out, scored four tries with the hosts' other effort coming from fly-half Tom Howard.

The Wizards were thrashed 52-26 when the teams met at the Talbot Athletic Ground in September, but showed plenty of tenacity in Gwent to at least have the consolation of two bonus points.

Luke Davies, Rhys Thomas and Morgan Williams scored and then Owen Popple's unconverted effort made it 28-26 in the closing stages before Morris' fourth secured the win for Ebbw.

It was also a tight encounter at the Electric Brewery Field, where Ioan Davies' late try earned Bridgend victory against Pontypool.

Pooler had edged in front 33-31 in the closing stages through hooker Tian Hall only for back-row forward Davies to respond.

Wing Ben Evans (2), centre Ryan Wilkins (2) and hooker McKenzie Scales also went over for the Ravens while hooker Sam Scarfe and centre Joel Mahoney got doubles for Pontypool.

SRC table; SRC fixtures