Ponty fly out the starting blocks as Vale are despatched

AN early onslaught set Pontypridd on their way to a crushing win over Ebbw Vale at Sardis Road.

The bonus-point was in the bag after 15 minutes, with the first try arriving in the third minute for lock Chris Dicomidis.

Two minutes later it was full-back Lloyd Rowlands’ turn to score under the posts. In a frantic opening, Ebbw replied through scrum-half Carl Lewis, converted by Lewis Dennett.

But Ponty then extended their lead with two tries in three minutes for wing Dale Stuckey.

While Stuckey was forced to leave the field with an injury immediately after scoring his second, his partner on the wing, Alex Webber crossed for try number five on 20 minutes as they incredibly led 31-7 at the break.

Prop Chris Phillips scored try number six for Ponty on 56 minutes and as the penalty tally for Ebbw rose, Irish referee Joy Neville – the first female official to referee a Welsh Premiership game – dispatched wing Toby Fricker to the sin bin in the 65th minute.

Full-back Dan Haymond scored a second try for the Steelmen on 65 minutes.

But it was the hosts who had the final word with a quickly taken penalty

allowing centre Geraint Walsh to claim his side’s seventh try of the afternoon.

Diggy Bird finished with four succesful conversions while Jordan Rees also kicked one.

Star man Shay Smallman - Pontypridd