Cross Keys 3-28 Pontypridd

Having taken the game to their opponents during the opening exchanges it was Cross Keys who broke the deadlock through a Dean Gunter penalty with just three minutes gone.

Ponty almost conceded further points as Keys’ lock Danny Hodge intercepted and charged upfield  but the visitors holding out and then launching a counter offensive at pace. 

The game as yet had not achieved any continuity with errors blighting the flow of play, and tensions breaking out into a series of fist fights between the opposing forwards. Both captains were lectured by referee James Jones and Danny Hodge duly dispatched to the sin bin. Dai Flanagan hoisted over the ensuing penalty to draw Ponty level.

Ponty were attempting to up the tempo of the game and edged into the lead as Flanagan put over another well struck penalty, but the contest remaining largely at a deadlock. The visitors finally showed some cohesion with a sustained period of pressure and centre Gavin Dacey breaking through for a try which Flanagan converted.

As lively scrum half Gareth James fashioned another break Ponty were now in the ascendancy, going into the interval holding a lead of 3pts to 13.

The second half started evenly contested as Keys launched a snap offensive but Ponty second row Craig Locke stealing possession, wing Owen Jenkins spearheading a counter and after some fine support play, prop Chris Phillips charging over for a try which Flanagan again converted.

The home team were guilty of serially infringing, their skipper Rob Nash shown a yellow card and Ponty, working off a strong scrummage, gaining confidence as the game progressed.  Pontypridd kicked well for territory, and gaining a foothold in the home half, kept up their momentum. No sooner was Rob Nash back on the field than he was brandished a straight red for foul play, and Dai Flanagan hoisting over another  penalty with sixty-three minutes gone.

As Cross Keys attempted to forge their way back into contention, Ponty held out comfortably in defence and then launched a sweeping counter attack. Poaching possession in the loose Ponty then moved the ball swiftly along the back line for winger Lewis Williams to dart over for a try wide out.

Into the dying minutes of the game Ponty were now going all out to secure a fourth bonus point try, but their efforts proving in vain. A dogged and sometimes dynamic display had however earned Ponty a fine away win by 3pts to 28.

Pontypridd:

15.Matthew Nuthall. 14.Lewis I Williams. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Tom Pascoe. 11.Owen Jenkins (Owen Williams). 10.Dai Flanagan (Simon Humberstone).  9.Gareth James.

1.Chris Phillips (Scott Roberts). 2.Huw Dowden (Darran Harris). 3.Pat Palmer (Keiron Jenkins). 4.Craig Locke (Cory Hill). 5.Chris Dicomidis – cpt. 6.Jake Thomas (Rhys Shellard). 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Dan Godfrey.