SWANSEA racked up an important bonus-point victory against 14-man Pontypridd in a feisty clash to keep them in the Principality Welsh Premiership title race.

Stuart Williams saw red from referee James Jones after just nine minutes following a second fight among the two front rows erupted at scrums.

It did not quell Ponty's positive approach as they attempted to get back in the title hunt.

But in the end Swansea gained revenge for their Swalec Cup defeat at Sardis Road and also made up for two poor results at Newport and Pontypool.

Before the sending off Swansea had led 3-0 from a James Dixon penalty, which he increased to 6-0 following Williams's early bath.

Latching

And it was Dixon who scored Swansea's opening try after latching on to a neat inside pass from lock Richard Kelly.

Scrum-half Kristian Baller kicked Ponty's first points, and both sides were reduced to 14 men when Steffan Jones was yellow- carded for a swinging arm.

But that did not stop Swansea as they went over for a second try. A positive build-up was finished off when a pinpoint pass put Sam Kiley over.

And 20-3 became 25-3 when Ricky Williams crossed in first-half injury time.

Swansea's dominance up front was not helped when replacement prop John Williams had to go off, with the referee imposing passive scrums.

Despite being down a man Ponty produced a very positive start to the second half, with centre Adam Thomas always a threat going forward.

And they were rewarded with a try for wing Chris Clayton, converted by Baller, to reduce the deficit to 25-10.

But Swansea kept their composure to grab the bonus point when replacement flanker David Blyth went over after a quick pass from David Watts.

That sparked Swansea into some real champagne rugby as they put it impressively through the hands up the left wing, but the only thing missing was the try.

The sides were back to 14 a side with 11 minutes of normal time when Luke Jones was sin-binned for a professional foul.

And plucky Ponty took advantage and scored almost immediately when prop Ryan Harford crashed over from a line-out drive.

But it was a try cancelled out four minutes later as man of the match Richard Kelly crossed for the home side's fifth try.