Pontypridd 41-14 Birmingham & Solihull

This was a friendly game played between two sides who later in the season will meet in the far more competitive environment of the British & Irish Cup pool stage. The contest began with a flurry of scores, the Bees striking straight from the kick off as wing Mitch Culpin crossed in the corner, his score converted by Sam Robinson.

Ponty responded with a full-on offensive, a quick tap penalty giving winger Lewis Williams the opportunity to score, and with Dean Gunter’s conversion added, all within the first seven minutes of play.

There were inevitably errors committed in the first run out of a new pre-season, but with both sides fully committed to attack and the game played with vigour. Showing a sharper edge and a greater creativity, Ponty soon pulled clear through tries scored by centre Gary Williams and full back Matthew Nuthall, twice, with Gunter adding two conversions to give the home team a deserved interval lead of 26pts to 7.

Showing great tenacity in turning over possession, Ponty resumed their scoring sequence with a try scored by dynamic centre Adam Thomas. The Bees were harvesting their share of possession from the set pieces but lacking a cutting edge, up against an aggressive home defence.

A debut try for replacement outside half Simon Humberstone following some fine support play pulled Ponty further ahead, before the English tourists finally achieved a breakthrough with a try scored by Ollie Winter and converted by Robinson.

A determined Pontypridd however had the last word as hooker Huw Dowden drove over from close range. Rewarded for their appetite in contesting the loose, their aggression in defence and their pace and guile in attack, Ponty emerged as worthy victors by 41pts to 14.

Pontypridd:

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

1.Stuart Williams (Gavin Powell). 2.Tom Hetherington (Huw Dowden). 3.Phil Osborne (Tom Hetherington). 4.Craig Locke. 5.Chris Dicomidis – cpt. 6.Jake Thomas (Brendan Lyons). 7.Darren Waters (Wayne O’Connor). 8.Ed Siggery (Ryan Savage).

Website Man of the Match: Craig Locke