Pontypridd 23-15 Birmingham & Solihull

Ponty shot straight out of the blocks, putting together a slick passing move to send winger Owen Williams over for a try wide out with barely a minute on the clock.

The home side were combining hard forward drives with sublime support play to keep up their momentum, but failing to convert that advantage into further points. When required, as the Bees attempted to muscle their way into the game, Ponty were also aggressive in defence, and turning that defence into attack as another flowing back line move created a three man overlap, centre Gavin Dacey cruising in for a try.

The Bees struck back, pouncing on loose possession and driving into the home twenty-two, setting up a position for winger Tomasi Tanumi to convert a penalty to open their account.

Not to be outdone Ponty once more seized the initiative with powerhouse centre Dafydd Lockyer breaking the line and going close to scoring. A series of attacking scrums followed with the home pack well on top, the ball then released wide for Owen Williams to cross for his second try. Pontypridd were 15pts to 3 up at the interval, and looking good for that lead.

Ponty resumed where they had left off after the restart, solid in the set pieces and creative in their use of the possession gained. A series of drives up to their opponents’ line culminated in a close range try claimed by prop Chris Phillips, with forty-five minutes gone.

The Bees were making numerous changes off the bench, bulking up their forward unit and making inroads into the Ponty half through their driving play. Pressure paid off as replacement flanker Semisi Taulava charged over for a try.

Going into the final quarter the contest was much more evenly balanced, the Bees benefiting from the referee’s decisions and their own pick up and drives. As lock Danny Wright went over for another touchdown, this time converted by Tanumi, a close fought finish was in the offing.

Regrouping after soaking up a considerable amount of pressure, Ponty once more drove upfield, and were rewarded as outside half Dean Gunter stroked over a penalty from in front of the posts. The home side were now finishing strongly, if not in dominant fashion, and the Bees having Semisi Taulava dispatched to the sin bin.

Running out deserved winners by 23pts to 15, Pontypridd rounded off their British & Irish Cup qualifying campaign with an honourable 100% record, and a guaranteed home draw in the quarter finals.

Pontypridd:

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

1.Chris Phillips. 2.Huw Dowden (Tom Hetherington). 3.Ryan Harford. 4.Craig Locke. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Jake Thomas (Glenn Slater). 7.Wayne O’Connor (Darren Waters). 8.Chris Dicomidis – cpt.

“Golden Bob” man of the match:- Craig Locke

Scorers: