We’ll keep our feet on the ground, insists Hyatt

JASON Hyatt says Aberavon won’t be getting carried away with their 100 per cent start winning start to the season in the Premiership.

Flanker Joe Tomalin-Reeves scored the Wizards’ only try as they came out on top in a real dogfight at the House of Pain

Aled Thomas converted as well as sending over three penalties to make it five wins from five in the league so far, while it also sealed Aberavon’s first victory at Sardis Road since 2011.

“We’re delighted to come away with a win from a difficult venue, where we haven’t been successful for the past eight years,” said head coach Hyatt.

“It was tough going in a game dominated by the weather, but our forwards worked hard from start to finish. We created opportunities and Aled Thomas was on hand to kick the points for us.

“We’ve been to some difficult places this season, Merthyr and Ponty, and we’ve come away with the results.

“We’ll keep our feet on the ground, keep up our work ethic, and look to kick on as the season progresses.”

Thomas cancelled out Diggy Bird’s penalty before Tomalin-Reeves sniped over in the corner and Thomas added the conversion.

That score was quickly cancelled out as Bird aimed a well-judged cross-kick which Ponty winger Dale Stuckey fielded to stretch over to reduce the visitors’ lead to 10-8 at the break.

Aberavon maintained a stranglehold on the game as the second period advanced, dominant in the scrums and earning penalty awards, one of which was converted early on by Thomas.

The contest was in need of some inspiration and it came as Ponty forged a dynamic counter-attack down the flank, Stuckey going over for a try which replacement Ben Jones converted.

A tense last 10 minutes was in the offing, the home team attempting to break play up to claim an unlikely win, but normal service resumed right at the death as Aberavon were awarded yet another scrum penalty.

Thomas made up for his earlier failures by dissecting the posts, the kick securing a one-point advantage and an extended winning run for the Wizards.

PONTYPRIDD: Tries: D Stuckey (2). Con: B Jones. Pen: D Bird. ABERAVON: Try: J Tomalin-Reeves. Con: A Thomas. Pens: A Thomas (3).