Pontypridd 24-13 Pontypool

Going for a sixth straight Premiership win, Pontypridd showed their attacking intent early on with some effective drives into opposition territory, but unable to round off their efforts with a score.

Pontypool had their chances with a couple of failed kicks at goal, but it was Ponty’s relentless pressure that finally told, as outside half Dean Gunter hoisted over two penalties in quick succession, from close range.

As the home team continued to press forwards, Pooler retaliated with an opportunist interception try scored by wing Gareth Williams and converted by full back Geraint O’Driscoll. That set-back merely gave Ponty added incentive to drive into the visitors’ half, with Pontypool flanker Lewis Evans sin binned for infringing. A series of concerted charges by the Ponty pack culminated in a try scored by hooker Huw Dowden.

A turnover and snap counter attack saw Ponty once again surging upfield, settling for a Dean Gunter penalty to add points on the board, going into the interval with a lead of 14pts to 7.

Commencing the second half on the attack Pontypridd set up a drive from a line out take to send hooker Dowden over for a second try, this time converted by Gunter. The game was being played almost exclusively in the visitors’ half, with Ponty well on top despite having winger Matthew Nuthall yellow carded.

The contest had by now lost some of its earlier momentum, interrupted by substitutions and injuries, and sometimes degenerating into an aerial kicking duel. Despite having exerted a vice like grip on proceedings, Ponty could not add to their points tally, which Pontypool duly achieved as replacement outside half Shaun Connor put over two penalties in succession.

The game ended evenly balanced, but with Pontypridd showing enough composure in both attack and defence to hold their own. A penalty kicked by replacement outside half Lewis Williams calmed the nerves of the home side, seeing them through to victory by 24pts to 13.

Pontypridd:

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

1.Sam Hobbs (Stuart Williams). 2.Huw Dowden (Rhys Williams). 3.Ryan Harford (Sam Hobbs). 4.Cory Hill. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Ed Siggery (Darren Waters). 7.Calum Thomas (Wayne O’Connor). 8.Chris Dicomidis – cpt.

“Golden Bob” man of the match:- Ryan Savage

Scorers: