Cardiff 12-20 Pontypridd

There was much to play for in this top of the table encounter, with the game living up to expectations as Pontypridd battled out a fine away win to retain pole position in the Premiership.

Following a cagey start it was Ponty who first went on the offensive, wing Chris Clayton going close to scoring in the corner. The game stepped up a gear as Cardiff countered at pace, but Ponty drawing first blood through a well struck fifty metre penalty from outside half Dean Gunter. The Valley Commandos struck again, turning defence into attack and moving the ball out wide for wing Owen Williams to cross in the corner.

By now Ponty were well on top, turning their quota of hard fought possession into pressure, and benefiting as Gunter struck another two long range penalties to increase their lead.

Close to the interval, and against the run of play so far, Cardiff broke upfield for flanker Rhys Shellard to dart in for a try which was duly converted by Gareth Davies. Ponty’s repost was immediate courtesy of another coolly struck penalty from Gunter, and despite a long range drop goal attempt from Matthew Nuthall just veering wide, the visitors were well worthy of a 7pts to 17 half time lead.

Cardiff commenced the second half in determined mode, drilling kicks deep into opposition territory, and driving on from an attacking line out for lock Matthew Veater to claim a try. Ponty responded with a series of concerted drives, allowing Gunter to slot over a simple penalty from in front of the posts.

With the home team having used up all their quota of front row cover, passive scrums were introduced, but all other facets of play remaining highly competitive. Cardiff seemed revitalised and were applying real pressure on a hard working Ponty defence. Time and again the Valley Commandos conceded ground, sometimes right back to their own line, but time and again putting body and soul into their tackling duties to keep their opponents at bay. The referee was by now playing an integral role, making some dubious decisions which affected both sides, and with errors committed which made for a scrappy encounter going into the last ten minutes.

Having soaked up a huge amount of pressure and with flanker O’Connor sin binned, Ponty finally struck back with a kick and rush counter attack. The visitors gained momentum to finish the game strongly, spurred on by a magnificent away support. A snap drop goal attempt from Gunter just missed the target, but of no consequence as the final whistle blew to register a hard earned victory for Pontypridd by 12pts to 20.

Pontypridd:

15.Matthew Nuthall. 14.Owen Williams (Kristian Baller). 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Adam Thomas. 11.Chris Clayton. 10.Dean Gunter. 9.Rhys Downes.

1.Stuart Williams (Rhys Lloyd). 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Ryan Harford (Tom Hetherington). 4.Chris Martenko (Grant Harrington). 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Chris Dicomidis. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Nathan Strong – cpt.

Scorers: