Ponty had beaten Aberavon in the Swalec Cup final last season, but this time the power of the visitors’ pack, allied to their strike force behind, enabled coach Simon King to take the scalp of one of his former clubs and claim the best result of the Principality Premiership to date this season.
Dean Gunter gave Ponty the perfect start with two penalties in the opening four minutes, but those were all the points the home side could muster. Ben John sent Carter in for his first try and two penalties from the ever-reliable boot of outside half Jamie Davies hoisted the Wizards into an 11-6 interval lead.
Then Carter snaffled a 70 metre interception try which Davies converted. The outside half raised his personal tally to 14 points with two more penalties and last season’s Play-Off Final runners-up were beaten convincingly 24-6 at home.
Reigning champions Llanelli were pushed to the limit by Llandovery, who at least had the consolation of taking two bonus points out of the game despite losing 44-38. There was a try bonus for Llanelli for the second week running as they racked up five to the visitors’ four and Jordan Williams converted them all and added three penalties for a 19 point match tally.
There were even more tries at St Helen’s, 11 all-tolled, as Swansea triumphed over a persistent Bedwas side that recovered from a 39-7 half-time deficit before going down 47-33. The visitors’ at least had the satisfaction of winning the second half, 26-8, and grabbed a try bonus with four more touchdowns.
Back row man Simon Grainger crossed twice in four minutes to cut the gap to 11 points at one stage in the second half, but the boot of Wales Under 18 outside half Sam Davies proved crucial as he kicked 14 points with four conversions and two penalties.
Both Neath and Bridgend picked up bonus point wins on home soil, Neath beating Carmarthen Quins 45-5 and Bridgend notching their first win since returning to the top-flight with a five try, 45-27 triumph over Newport, while Pontypool skipper Geraint Morris led from the front as he crossed for the second successive weekend to spearhead his team to a 26-16 home win over Tonmawr.
Cross Keys put a poor first half behind them at Cardiff Arms Park to strike back and take a bonus point in their 32-24 victory over Cardiff. The home side were 18-’12 ahead at the break thanks to two tries in as many minutes from Luke Hamilton and Sion Morris, but three second half tries without response set Keys on the road to a notable win.
