Llandovery 18-28 Pontypridd

Llandovery tested the Ponty defence early on with their direct lines of running, and manufactured a breakthrough with just five minutes gone, winger Matthew Jacobs pouncing for a try which Cerith Rees converted from the touchline.

All of Ponty’s attempts to be competitive fell foul of the referee’s decisions, home outside half Rees extending his side’s lead with a well struck penalty. The Valley Commandos were stung into action, putting together phase after phase of drives and support play, one final shunt over the line resulting in a try scored by industrious flanker Ed Siggery.

Ponty were now looking far more purposeful in their endeavours, clawing back another three points through a Simon Humberstone penalty. The game was struggling to achieve lift off, the flow of play too often interrupted by the referee’s whistle, with Llandovery winger Gbemi Fisher dispatched to the sin bin. A competitive first period was reflected in the interval score-line of 10pts to 8.

Pontypridd got the second half off to a great start, winning a turnover and pile driving upfield, centre Gary Williams going over for a try which Humberstone converted. The visitors were working hard to up the tempo of their game, taking opposition line out ball and scavenging for possession in the loose. The balance of power however had not swung entirely away from Llandovery, who forged their way back into contention with a series of close range drives, flanker Loyd Phillips burrowing over for a try .

With the scores level and into the last quarter of the game, there was all to play for. It was Ponty who once more took the initiative, their forwards pounding into the home defence and replacement hooker Kristian Dacey powering through for a try which Humberstone converted. A penalty struck for the home side by full back Howard Thomas pegged back’s Ponty’s lead, but not for long as they surged to a strong finish. The game’s finale was slowed down by a series of substitutions and injuries, but a Simon Humberstone penalty and drop goal at the death seeing Ponty through to a hard fought but fully deserved win by 18pts to 28.

Pontypridd:

15.Gareth Wyatt. 14.Lewis I Williams. 13.Dafydd Lockyer. 12.Gary Williams. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Simon Humberstone (Dean Gunter). 9.Kristian Baller (Garyn Lucas).

1.Ken Knaggs. 2.Huw Dowden (Kristian Dacey). 3.Phil Osborne (Sam Hobbs). 4.Craig Locke. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Ed Siggery. 7.Wayne O’Connor (Darren Waters / Jake Thomas). 8.Chris Dicomidis (Owen Williams).

Scorers: