Llandovery 10-24 Pontypridd

Straight from the kick off Pontypridd made the most of a fortuitous try scoring opportunity, a Llandovery clearance kick rebounding off winger Matthew Nuthall who hacked through and touched down, the score converted from the touchline by outside half Dean Gunter.

Ponty were showing plenty of aggression in the loose, their territorial dominance rewarded as Gunter kicked a penalty with seven minutes gone. A period of home pressure followed, with Llandovery outside half Cerith Rees hoisting over a penalty, but Ponty responding with phase after phase of attack, culminating with scrum half Rhys Downes sniping over for a try, converted by Gunter.

The game was by now a fairly low key affair with neither side dominant but Ponty seizing on another defensive error by their hosts, Matthew Nuthall pouncing on a loose kick to claim a try, converted by Gunter to put the visitors into a commanding interval lead of 3pts to 24.

Llandovery showed up well in the set pieces as the second half got underway, following up with some counter offensives at pace with centre Matthew Jacobs spearheading their efforts. Advancing to the visitors’ line, the Drovers put on a squeeze in an attacking scrum and were duly awarded a penalty try which Cerith Rees converted.

Ponty once more responded by advancing into home territory but failing to drive home their advantage, the contest an evenly balanced affair going into its final quarter. After a period of defensive play in what was mostly a dogfight for possession, Ponty finally generated momentum upfield in search of a bonus point fourth try and with Llandovery replacement Shaun Miles sin - binned for infringing.

The breakthrough seemed to have come as Ponty centre Dafydd Lockyer powered through towards the line, but stopped short by a try saving tackle from Sam Soul.

Having done enough to justify their superiority without hitting top gear, it was Pontypridd who claimed a valuable away victory by 10pts to 24.

Pontypridd:

15.Gareth Wyatt. 14.Owen Williams. 13.Adam Thomas. 12.Gary Williams (Dafydd Lockyer). 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Dean Gunter. 9.Rhys Downes.

1.James Howe (Ken Knaggs). 2.Tom Hetherington (Huw Dowden). 3.Pat Palmer. 4.Jordan Sieniawski (Chris Martenko). 5.Cory Hill. 6.Jake Thomas (Wayne O’Connor). 7.Calum Thomas. 8.Dan Godfrey.

Scorers: