Ebbw Vale and Newport continued their winning starts to the Super Rugby Cymru season with home wins against RGC and Aberavon respectively.
Newport's 73-33 win against the Wizards saw them take all six points and top spot in the SRC table, just ahead of Gwent rivals Ebbw Vale who took five points in their 33-31 win against RGC. Elsewhere, there was disappointment for Pontypool who lost at Cardiff RFC.
Newport, who featured Dragons Cerrig Smith (8), Will Ford (10), Joe Westwood (12) and Brogan Leary (14) in their starting lineup began on fire with two tries in the opening 13 minutes through captain Hunter Ward, hooker Wade Langley and flanker Josh Reid.
However, a fightback from Aberavon saw the visitors score three quick tries of their own to take the lead.
The Black and Ambers regained their advantage when Ethan Phillips went over before fullback Carwyn Penny scored on the brink of half-time to extend his sides lead to 31-19.
In the second half Newport pulled away, with their strong bench making an impact including Dragons players Nathan Davies, Nick Thomas, Tiehi Chatham, Oli Woodman and Sam Morgan playing their part in a display.
Young Dragons Academy back Brogan Leary went over just after half-time, with further tries from Fin Baker, a second score each for Langley and Ward, Dafydd Buckland and Westwood with fly-half Ford finishing with eight conversions from eight attempts.
Down the road, Ebbw Vale scored late on to take the win and five points from their narrow victory against RGC.
Debutant Harri Ford joined fellow Dragon Harry Rees-Weldon in the starting lineup with fellow debutants Cody Purnell, Elliot Beavan and Ryley Fussell set to come on from the bench.
First half tries from captain Ethan Phillips (13), Luke Garrett (1) on his 150th Ebbw appearance, Ryan Jenkins (8) and Morgan Rees (15) meant the Steelmen led 28-10 at half-time, with Dragon Harri Ford kicking all four conversions on his debut for the club.
However, having scored at the end of the first half, RGC added three more second half scores to take the lead 28-31 within the final 10 minutes. Ebbw wing Dafydd Thomas scored in the final moments to see his side win 33-31.
Pontypool headed to Cardiff with six Dragons; Scott Crewe, Dan Bassett, Ryan Jones, Tiaan Hall, George Tuckley and Carter Pritchard all involved in the matchday 23.
Jones' first half score was the only one for the Gwent side who trailed 43-5 at the break with no further score in the second 40.
All three sides are in action again on Saturday with 2.30pm kick off times in a busy day for Gwent. Ebbw Vale host Cardiff, while Newport and Pontypool welcome Carmarthen Quins and RGC respectively.
Newport: Carwyn Penny; Brogan Leary, Chay Foster-Smith, Joe Westwood, Fin Baker; Will Ford, Lucus Welch; Ed Thompson, Wade Langley, Ollie Drake, Ethan Phillips, Callum Bradburry, Hunter Ward (c), Josh Reid, Cerrig Smith.
Replacements: Henry Palmer, Tom Workman, Nathan Davies, Nick Thomas, Tiehi Chatham, Dafydd Buckland, Oli Woodman, Sam Morgan.
Pontypool: Carrick McDonough; Ioan Duggan, Joel Mahoney, Connor Edwards (c), Marcus Jones; Kieran Meek, Ellis Lewis; Tom Sims, Rhys Williams, Scott Crewe, Dan Bassett, Liam Antrobus, Dan Hill, Ryan Jones, Ben Williams.
Replacements: Tiaan Hall, George Tuckley, Owen Popple, Lance Randall, Luke Daniel, Carter Pritchard, Ellis Davies, Mike Herbert.
Ebbw Vale: Morgan Rees; Harry Rees-Weldon, Ethan Phillips (c), Cam Davies, Dafydd Thomas; Harri Ford, Gruff Tough; Luke Garrett, Ieuan Morris, Adam Williams, Dylan Bartlett, Curtis Gregory, Alfred Bateman Lloyd, Joe Rees-Weldon, Ryan Jenkins.
Replacements: Liam Lewis, Codi Purnell, Morgan Bosanko, Elliot Beavan, Ben Main, Rory Harries, Ryley Fussell, Dom Franchi.
