With Bedwas in SWALEC Cup action, the Sardis Road club knew a win would take them back to the summit and they duly delivered in a convincing away victory.
The visitors started the game in positive mood, launching a sweeping attack which culminated in a close range try claimed by No. 8 Jake Thomas. A well struck conversion from Dai Flanagan followed.
Bridgend edged their way back into contention but were unable to penetrate a resolute Ponty defence. The game was already a stop start affair with errors being committed and the contest degenerated into a series of wheeled scrums and injury delays.
Working off a strong scrum platform, Bridgend again advanced and finally put points on the board through a Lewis Williams penalty. All attempts by Ponty to strike back were hampered by errors with the referee’s whistle dominant. The visitors then managed to generate some momentum from broken play with industrious back rower Jake Thomas going over for another score wide out.
It was Ponty who finished the first half the stronger, mauling effectively into the home 22, driving on to the line with referee Simon Rees awarding a penalty try which Flanagan converted for a 3-19 interval lead.
Ponty made another decisive strike right from the second half restart, the ball shipped out wide for winger Chris Clayton to charge over for a try which Flanagan converted from a wide angle. Sniping line out possession, Ponty continued to advance, a chip through and chase grounded by centre Gavin Dacey for a try which Flanagan again converted.
In deteriorating conditions the game was still struggling to get into gear but both teams to their credit, were eager to move the ball and attack. Bridgend now applied concerted pressure in their opponents’ half, but so far struggled to breach a 22 line which was aggressively defended by Ponty’s cover tacklers.
After a series of shunts, the home attackers moved the ball wide for replacement Lloyd Evans to cruise in for a try wide out. With the game beyond them, Bridgend continued on the offensive, testing Ponty’s resolve to the full.
But it was job done for Ponty as the bonus point win took them back to pole position in the Premiership table.
