Cross Keys 11-12 Pontypridd

It was Pontypridd who enjoyed a distinct advantage in the early stages of the game, but failing to impose themselves with many handling errors committed, and full back Gary Williams dispatched to the sin bin.

The home team drew first blood as full back Gareth David slotted over a penalty with nineteen minutes gone. Not to be outdone, Ponty remained competitive in a terse encounter, and were content to rely on two penalties struck by outside half Dean Gunter – enough to edge them into a narrow interval lead of 3pts to 6.

Pontypridd remained in the ascendancy as the second period got underway, in a game dominated by the referee’s whistle. Pressure was eventually converted into valuable points for the visitors as Gunter coolly hoisted over another two penalties, on forty-nine and sixty-seven minutes.

A Gareth David penalty for the Keys set up a tense finish to the game, which now entered a period of injury time. A dramatic climax ensued as home hooker Lloyd Burns crossed for a try in the corner, but Dai Langdon off target with his crucial conversion attempt.

As it was, Ponty had done just enough on their return to league duties to claim a valuable away win by 11pts to 12.