Pontypridd on top in a quality clash

impeded off the ball, RGC replacement Danny Cross was yellow carded. Ponty maintained pressure and from a line-out drive sent hooker Huw Dowden over for a try which Bird converted, taking his side into the interval with a 15pts to 10 lead.

Ponty resumed on the attack from the restart, a series of concerted shunts to their opponents’ line finally paying off as flanker Rhys Shellard went over from close range, his try converted from near the touchline by Bird.

RGC kept in contention as outside half Botica put over a penalty but that score cancelled out by a similar effort from Bird as the visitors continued to serially infringe.

The game edged into its final quarter with Ponty getting the better of exchanges and RGC having winger Iolo Evans dispatched to the sinbin.

The home pack launched a series of concerted drives into their opponents’ twenty-two before RGC struck back with a counter threat but called back for a forward pass. The visitors were striving hard to make an impact as the clock ticked down into its final ten minutes, but Ponty grafting hard in defence and battling for turnovers. It was the home team now who were heavily penalised, and from a five metre scrum RGC claimed a last gasp score as no8 Tim Grey barged over, his try converted by Botica.

The Ponty defence held firm into injury time, doing enough to protect a winning lead of 25pts to 20 after a hard fought encounter.