Williams holds his nerve as Ponty get tight win

CARMARTHEN Quins were left kicking themselves for their second-half indiscipline that allowed Lewis Williams to kick Pontypridd to a narrow victory in the Principality Premiership.

The visiting outside half held his nerve to land four out of his six kicks at goal to steal the win and take full advantage of league leaders Merthyr’s defeat to cut the gap at the top of the table to a mere five points.

Williams stepped up five minutes from time to kick a 45 metre kick at goal with a helping hand from the left hand upright to win the game in dramatic fashion.

Aled Thomas got the chance to open the scoring with less than two minutes on the clock after the first of a string of Ponty penalties, but the former Scarlets full back was wide of the mark with that one before nailing a 35 metre shot ten minutes later to open the scoring for the hosts.

Winger Corey Howells then injected some pace and power into the backline to score a try for the visitors on 25 minutes, which Williams converted.

Yet by the half-time break it was the Quins who were on top thanks to a super solo try from Wales Under 18 centre Osian Knott.

Thomas converted and then kicked a second penalty on the stroke of the interval to give his side a six point lead.

However, Ponty had the wind in their favour in the second half and Williams hit the mark with two of three shots at goal to level the scores at 13-13.

There was little separating the sides as the clock ticked away, with both defences remaining on top, but relentless pressure eventually told for the visitors as they earned a penalty and Williams remained calm under to pressure to win the game.

The result means Ponty are within touching distance of Merthyr at the top, while Carmarthen remain in mid-table ahead of their trip to the league leaders next weekend.