Carmarthen Quins 17-13 Pontypridd

The “Carmarthen Curse” which has beset Pontypridd throughout the semi-professional era continued to hold sway as the Valley Commandoes went down to a narrow defeat away to their West Wales opponents.

Ultimately this was another game which could have been won, but a lack of forward control, poor kicking options and a quota of handling errors costing Ponty dearly, with only a losing bonus point to their credit.

With Ponty scrum half Kristian Baller sin-binned during a close fought first half battle, it was the kicking of respective outside halves Gareth Cull and Aaron Bramwell which kept the score-board ticking over, and with Carmarthen edging an interval lead of 6pts to 3.

Cull, with his siege-gun kicks at goal wind assisted during the second period, kept the home team in front, despite an improved showing by the visitors as the game wore on.

It was just into the final quarter before Ponty finally imposed themselves on the game, their driving play held up by the home team's impeding, with both Simon Gardener and Sililo Martens despatched to the sin-bin.

Debutant flanker Darren Waters finally put points on the board, going over for a deserved try following an industrious performance. Carmarthen however struck back within minutes as winger Richard Carter was put clear to touch down.

A try scored by Ponty replacement scrum half Rhys Downes with nine minutes remaining set up a tense finale, but the home team hanging on for a well earned victory by 17pts to 13.

Pontypridd:

15.Matthew Nuthall. 14.Lewis Williams. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Owen Williams (Adam Thomas). 10.Aaron Bramwell (Dean Gunter). 9.Kristian Baller (Rhys Downes).

1.Sam Hobbs. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Ryan Harford (Pat Palmer). 4.Grant Harrington (Chris Martenko). 5.Chris Dicomidis. 6.Rhys Lloyd (Nathan Strong). 7.Darren Waters. 8.Kristian Dacey (Tom Hetherington).