Pontypridd maintain their promising start under interim coach Dicomidis

PONTYPRIDD bagged the bragging rights and made it two wins from two under new interim head coach Chris Dicomidis after putting one over rivals Merthyr in their derby clash at Sardis Road.

Scrum-half Harvey Nash scored twice, while tighthead prop Tom Harper also crashed over, as the Valley Commandos came from behind to earn four more points that keep alive their hopes of wrestling fourth place in the Indigo Premiership away from Cardiff.

Merthyr had headed north back up the A470 with a victory when the two sides met here in the WRU Premiership Cup back in September, while the Ironmen were also victorious in the league at the Wern last month.

Outside centre Adam Hoskins, back-rower Kian Evans and replacement prop Dave Whiting scored for cup finalists Merthyr as they took home a losing bonus point.

It was Hoskins’ try eight minutes into the contest that saw Merthyr hit the front first, touching down after he had collected a bouncing ball for a try which fullback Gareth Thompson improved.

However the hosts responded five minutes later, with inside centre Ryan Wilkins offloading to Nash to finish off a slick passing move.

Full-back Josh Phillips added the extras to level matters.

Ponty were then reduced to 14 men after 23 minutes when winger Niko Matawalu was penalised for a deliberate knock-on – and Merthyr immediately seized on their numerical advantage when the

PONTYPRIDD ................. 25 MERTHYR ....................... 22 resultant lineout maul saw Evans eventually ground the ball.

This time outside half Josh Lewis converted.

Phillips and outside half Ben Burnell missed with penalty attempts but Ponty were over for the second try just before the break, scored by Harper.

The conversion was missed to leave them trailing 14-12 at half time.

Merthyr further extended their lead three minutes into the second half courtesy of Lewis’ penalty but the next try went to the home side just past the hour mark.

Matawalu collected Kristian Parker’s pass and sped off down the wing before sending Nash in for his second and Ponty’s third try of the match.

Burnell converted to give his side the lead for the first time.

Burnell’s penalty on 66 minutes then extended the lead to 22-17 but Merthyr weren’t finished and hit back again with 10 minutes remaining with replacement Whiting crossing for their third try to level the scores again.

Lewis’ conversion attempt was wide and, although both sides had their opportunities in the closing stages, the decisive moment came after 76 minutes when Burnell split the posts with his second successful penalty goal of the contest. PONTYPRIDD: Tries: H Nash

(2), T Harper; Cons: J Phillips, B Burnell; Pens: B Burnell (2)

Tries: A Hoskins; K Evans, D Whiting; Cons: G Thompson; J Lewis; Pen: J Lewis