Pontypridd 24-10 Bedwas

Pontypridd patiently played through many phases to gain an early ascendancy in the game, dominating possession and putting together some fluent attacks along the back line. Pressure eventually told as outside half Dean Gunter made a neat half break, with no8 Chris Dicomidis up in support to cross for a try which Gunter converted.

Territorially Ponty were well on top but still not firing on all cylinders, and ruing a couple of penalty chances missed by Gunter. Wing Owen Williams was prominent in taking the restarts and high balls, and forwards Locke, Savage and O’Connor all grafting hard for possession to keep the home side in forward gear.

Launching a break down the flank, Ponty winger Owen Williams persevered to stretch over for a try which Gunter converted from the touchline with twenty-seven minutes gone.

A phase of concerted pressure from Bedwas rounded off the first half, but with an aggressive and resolute home defence holding firm, and Ponty going into the interval fourteen unanswered points to the good.

A snap offensive almost produced another score for Ponty as play resumed, but the tempo of the game falling off with numerous errors made and the contest mostly bogged down in no man’s land. A penalty kicked by replacement outside half Gareth Cull opened the scoring account of a Bedwas side who were always threatening to strike back on the counter.

The visitors finally reaped their reward for a concerted phase of pressure as centre Tom Cooper broke through for a try which was converted by Cull. Pontypridd now needed to respond to the challenge and that they did in no small measure.

A penalty converted by replacement Simon Humberstone extended the home lead before winger Owen Williams rounded off an attack at pace with a crucial try which Humberstone converted.

Ponty now piled on the pressure going into the final exchanges of the game, seeking a bonus point score. Twice, from close range line out and scrum drives, the home pack crossed the whitewash, but referee Phil Fear unable to award the try, leaving Ponty to settle for a straight win by 24pts to 10.

Pontypridd:

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

1.Stuart Williams (Chris Phillips). 2.Rhys Williams. 3.Ryan Harford (Ken Knaggs). 4.Craig Locke. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Jake Thomas. 7.Wayne O’Connor (Darren Waters). 8.Chris Dicomidis – cpt.

“Golden Bob” man of the match: Owen Williams.

Scorers: