PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP
CROSS Keys consigned Cardiff to their third consecutive defeat after hammering the capital city side at Pandy Park with an excellent team performance.
Keys had deserved to lead 16-10 at half-time after the trusty boot of outside-half Josh Prosser had slotted three penalties and converted number eight Garin Price’s try after openside flanker Joe Thomas had torn up the touchline.
The visitors hit back just before the interval when outside centre Will Rees-Hole finished well for a converted try after the hosts were down to 14 men after inside centre Jarryd Sage was yellow carded for earlier tackling a man without the ball.
The home side didn’t let that setback unsettle them and started the second half in dominant mood.
Two quickfire tries by the impressive Thomas and scrum-half A TRY by Pontypridd wing Alex Webber four minutes from time ensured his side a victory in a good match with little between the two sides.
It was a fast-flowing match largely dominated by a strong wind that saw Ponty lead 12-0 early on and then having to recover from a 15-12 deficit.
With referee Ian Davies letting the game run well, it was Ponty who grabbed an early lead through a try by their powerful centre Gary Williams and that lead increased when young fly half Jordan Rees sent Webber in for his first try that Rees converted.
Aberavon skipper James Garland pulled back a penalty before the interval and then the Wizards stormed to the attack with Baker head and shoulders over every other player.
Replacement Jacob Flynn fed the powerful centre Rheon James who burst over for Garland to convert and then Jay Baker suddenly broke from halfway and left all the defenders way behind.
But, Pontypridd were never going to lie down and with the experienced Ceri Sweeney on for Rees, they surged back downfield RGC kept their hopes of securing the Premiership crown alive with victory over Bedwas.
A frantic start to the game saw the visitors take the lead on six minutes when James Richards went over which Steffan Jones converted, but the Gogs responded well and levelled matters on 20 when Afon Bagshaw touched down. Jacob Botica added the extras.
Tom Hughes and Botica also went agonisingly close to crossing the white wash for Mark Jones’ side before the interval, and they were made to pay with the final action of the half when Alan Reece went over in the corner on 39 minutes, with Jones despatching the conversion.
After the break saw the home side continue to probe as they pursued a route back into the contest, and they were rewarded for their improved play on 48 minutes James Leadbeater, the latter a beauty of a touchdown made by wing Mathew Powell, and a conversion by Prosser saw them lead 28-10 in the 53rd minute.
Cardiff centre Adam Jones was sent off after hitting Keys hooker and captain Darren Hughes in the face.
He made them pay immediately when he crossed for a try and wing Powell completed the rout near the end, Prosser converting both to end up with a haul of 17 points. CROSS KEYS: Tries: G Price, J Thomas, J Leadbeater, D Hughes, M Powell; Cons: J Prosser (4); Pens: Prosser (3) CARDIFF: Try: W Rees-Hole; Con: G Thompson; Pen: G Thompson for Webber to go over as he was tackled.
It took a touch-judge to decide that it was grounded fairly and Sweeney converted. ABERAVON: Tries: R James, J Baker; Con: J Garland; Pen: J Garland PONTYPRIDD: Tries: A Webber (2), G Williams, Cons: J Rees, C Sweeney when Rhys Williams dived over, and Botica tied things up with the extras.
Botica put RGC ahead soon after with a penalty on 53 minutes, and he extended their advantage with another on 59 after the hosts had a try disallowed.
They swiftly followed this up with another score through Hughes after good work from Tiaan Loots on 61 minutes. Botica added the extras.
A nervy end to proceedings was ensured when Francis Williams scored on 71 minutes and Jones converted, but the Gogs held on for a crucial victory. RGC: Tries: A Bagshaw, R Williams, T Hughes; Cons: J Botica (3); Pens: J Botica (2). BEDWAS: Tries: J Richards, A Reece, F Williams; Cons: S Jones (3).