Having raced into a 38-6 lead against Bedwas in the Foster’s Challenge Cup final in Bridgend last weekend, Ponty went on to win 38-34 to take the first of three titles in their sights this season.
They moved on to the BT Sport Arms Park for a vital Principality Premiership game four days later and were once again the dominant force in the opening 40 minutes. Four tries flowed and they led 28-16 against a Cardiff side they had already beaten four times this season.
A fifth win was required to take the reigning Premiership champions back to the top of the table and they did what was required. Now they have two games remaining, both at home against Newport and Bedwas, and if they can secure two bonus point victories then they will be guaranteed to finish at the top of the table and secure a home game in the play-offs.
Last season Dafydd Lockyer’s side topped the league and had home advantage in the Premiership Final against Ebbw Vale. They won the final 28-14 to make it four successive titles and the target this season is to make that five in a row and overtake the record they jointly hold with Neath, who also won four in a row between 2005-2008.
Cardiff took an early lead when former Wales Under 20 wing James Loxton crossed for a try that Callum Hall improved. But the Ponty response was almost immediate as they conjured up a score for wing Alex Webber, who was driven over close to the posts by his forwards.
Ceri Sweeney, back at one of his former stamping grounds, converted the try, but back came Cardiff with a try from Wales prop Scott Andrews. Hall again added the extras and after 14 minutes the home side led 16-8.
Ponty showed no signs of tiredness after their 72 point, 10 try romp against Bedwas at the weekend and took firm control of proceedings by the break, securing the vital bonus point with three more tries. Dan Godfrey converted a near perfect driving maul for a try and then Webber sent centre Bradley Coombes racing 30 metres to the line for a third score.
Lockyer then completed the visitor’s scoring surge with a try at the posts and a second Sweeney conversion made it 28-16 at the interval. Cardiff were quick out of the blocks again at the start of the second half, Ceri Young crossing wide out for a try that Hall converted superbly off the touchline to cut the gap to a mere four points with 36 minutes still left to play.
It took some heroic defence from Ponty to hold out and they were delighted when referee Dai Cambourne adjudged a scoring pass from Richard Smith to have been forward when it looked as though Cardiff were going to take the lead late on. It was the stuff of champions!
While Ponty can now reach a maximum of 81 points with two games left to play, fellow SSE Swalec Cup semi-finalists Llandovery can reach 80 if they take maximum points from their three remaining games. They travel to Bedwas tonight (Wednesday, 13 April) and then go to Carmarthen Quins on 19 April and Cardiff four days later.
Cross Keys also have three games left to play and will feel in buoyant mood having beaten Ebbw Vale and Newport in their last two games at Pandy Park. Their 24-16 triumph over Newport last weekend gave them a shot at finishing on 78 points to guaranteed a top three finish.
They are also involved in this weekend’s SSE Swalec Cup semi-finals and have made a great recovery in the Premiership after losing their opening two matches. They travel to Aberavon on 19 April, bottom-of-the-table Neath four days later and also have to re-arrange a home game against Bedwas.
PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP REMAINING FIXTURES
Wednesday, 13 April
Bedwas v Llandovery
Saturday, 16 April
Neath v Llanelli
Tuesday, 19 April
Aberavon v Cross Keys
Carmarthen Quins v Llandovery
Pontypridd v Newport
Saturday, 23 April
Bridgend v Carmarthen Quins
Cardiff v Llandovery
Neath v Cross Keys
Newport v Llanelli
Pontypridd v Bedwas
Sunday, 24 April
Ebbw Vale v Aberavon
TBC: Cross Keys v Bedwas
