Pontypridd 43 vs Llanelli 0

Ponty made a positive start to the game, working off a big scrum platform and setting up a position for flanker Rhys Shellard to charge over from close range, the try converted by Dale Stuckey. The home team were adept at poaching possession in the loose as well as dominating the set pieces, centre Alex Knott hauled into touch just short of scoring but then a quick tap penalty allowing Morgan Sieniawski to cut through for another try, Stuckey’s conversion rebounding in off the post.

Ponty maintained momentum, winger Alex Webber making a telling break and centre Dafydd Lockyer held up on the line, before a beleaguered Llanelli defence had prop Aled Thomas dispatched to the sin-bin. The home pack were electing to scrummage as numerous penalties were awarded in their favour, shunting towards the line before the ball was spread wide for Dale Stuckey to cross in the corner. Another score soon followed as Alex Knott made an arcing break to dab down the bonus point try on the half hour. Llanelli errors were allowing Ponty to dominate, Lockyer again going close and a pushover scrum denied a try with the interval score-line remaining at 24pts to 0.

The visitors applied early second half pressure but were held at bay, before Dale Stuckey intercepted and set off on a length of the field counter, but tackled into touch just short. Ponty, and the game in general seemed to have lost some of its early fluency but the scoreboard kept ticking over as Stuckey gathered a high bounce to dart in for a try which he also converted.

As numerous substitutions were made, with a reshuffle of the home back line, the game lost further momentum going into its final quarter. Ponty were looking laboured in attack and prone to errors, but came to life as Alex Webber made a midfield break to score a try which replacement Ceri Sweeney converted. The home team dominated possession late on, Webber on the wing gathering a free ball to pounce for a final touchdown, rounding off an emphatic seven try home win by 43pts to 0.

Pontypridd:

15.Gary Williams. 14.Alex Webber. 13.Alex Knott. 12.Dafydd Lockyer – cpt (Ceri Sweeney). 11.Dale Stuckey (Tom Hannah). 10.Jordan Rees. 9.Huw Rees (Joel Raikes).

1.Ian George (Huw Owen). 2.Huw Dowden (Geraint Clarke). 3.Gareth Smith (Morgan Bosanko). 4.Lloyd Evans. 5.Chris Dicomidis. 6.Rhodri Jones (Sean Moore). 7.Rhys Shellard (Ross Morgan). 8.Morgan Sieniawski.

Tries: Shellard (5); Sieniawski (11); Stuckey (27, 53); Knott (30); Webber (68, 75)

Cons: Stuckey (6, 12, 54); Sweeney (68)

Llanelli:

15.Leon Randell. 14.Liam Hutchings. 13.Joe Roberts (Ben Atkins). 12.Johnny Lewis (Olly Reyland). 11.Liam Smith. 10.Ashley Sutton. 9.Gareth George (Josh Weeds).

1.Dylan Lawley (Callum Williams). 2.Elgan Lewis (Craig Thomas). 3.Adam Thomas (Christian Rumblelow). 4.Chris Long (Elliot Rees). 5.Matthew Davies. 6.Joel James. 7.Ellis Thomas. 8.Nathan Hart – cpt (Jack Davies).

Golden Bob / WRU Man of the Match: Alex Knott

Referee: Tom Spurrier

Attendance: 1,360