Pontypridd 23-15 Crosskeys

Pontypridd were rewarded for their early efforts to open up the game as a fine support move was rounded off by skipper and no8 Chris Dicomidis, crossing for a try in the corner.

There was a competitive edge to the game, an exchange of penalties between home outside half Dean Gunter, scoring twice, and visitors’ full back Gareth David keeping the scoreboard in motion. When able to retain possession, it was Ponty who showed the greater flair and who injected pace into their play, with hooker Huw Dowden charging through but just short of scoring.

Home pressure was rewarded as Gunter struck over another penalty, before wing Lewis Williams set off on a trademark length of the field break but hauled down just short. The setback of a yellow card issued to prop Ken Knaggs did not deter from Pontypridd’s dominance, worthy of their interval advantage of 14pts to 3.

It was the Keys who struck first as play resumed, winger Marcus Johnstone evading the home defence to score a try which was converted by David. The game was now a hard fought battle at the breakdown, with Keys’ flanker Jevon Groves sin binned and Gunter converting the ensuing penalty.

The pace of the game had slowed down, becoming a war of attrition which Cross Keys were getting the better of, and with Ponty flanker Wayne O’Connor the next to be yellow carded. Ponty still showed rare glimpses of their earlier pace and guile, but relying on the boot of Dean Gunter, who struck over another two penalties, to keep them ahead.

A late try for the visitors scored by wing Marcus Johnstone proved to be only a consolation as Ponty emerged from a hard fought encounter as victors by 23pts to 15.

Pontypridd

15.Matthew Nuthall. 14.Gareth Wyatt. 13.Adam Thomas. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Lewis Williams (Gary Williams). 10.Dean Gunter (Simon Humberstone). 9.Kristian Baller (Lewis Jones). 1.Ken Knaggs. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Ryan Harford (Phil Osborne). 4.Cory Hill. 5.Ryan Savage (Ed Siggery). 6.Darren Waters. 7.Wayne O’Connor (Jake Thomas). 8.Chris Dicomidis – cpt.

ponty.net man of the match: Darren Waters

Scorers: