Burnell so impressed by Lloyd
PONTYPRIDD head coach Justin Burnell raved about the performance of new signing Jacob Lloyd as his side progressed to the last eight of the Premiership Cup with a 30-25 win over RGC.
Burnell said: “We changed our team up and signed a young flyhalf Jacob Lloyd from Bridgend. He wasn’t having much luck there but he was man of the match today. I think RGC were wondering where we found him.”
After a cagey start, Cai James scored the first try of the match after making an interception to give Ponty a 10 point lead.
This was backed up by Bradley Roderick who was on the receiving end of a classy kick to further increase his side’s lead to 20-3 at the break.
RGC hit back in the secondhalf with three tries with two tries from Dan Owen and one from Afon Bagshaw but it was not enough to stop Pontypridd from advancing as Morgan Bosanko scored a try which ultimately put his side out of reach.
The other two weekend matches were quarter-finals.
Cardiff got their revenge on Carmarthen Quins as they a rectified a narrow league defeat two weeks ago by dumping their West Wales counterparts out of the Premiership cup with a 42-7 victory.
The talented full-back Jacob Beetham played a leading role by scoring a total of 22 points.
The Quins scored the first try of the match through Josh Batcup who scored from the halfway line thanks to a Dale Ford interception.
But, Steve Law’s Cardiff responded well with first-half tries from Beetham and Jamie Hill to lead by eight points at half-time.
The Blue and Blacks were in complete control in the secondhalf and eased to victory. Keiron Assiratti scored two and a late Ethan Lloyd try made sure Cardiff reached the last four at a canter.
Newport joined Cardiff in the last four with a 45-17 win over Bridgend Ravens.
The home side’s backs put on a fine display as Matthew Powell and Matt O’Brien touched down inside the first 20 minutes. Oli Powell, Will Griffiths and Luke Crane also scored first half tries as they stormed into a 35-3 halftime lead.
Just two minutes into the restart hooker Lee Murphy went over for the Ravens. But, Cameron Lewis replied with a try of his own for Newport before Bridgend’s Carrick McDonough looked to inspire a comeback with his side’s second try. But any Ravens hopes were quashed as fullback Dai Richards finished off a fine Newport display in style.