It was another complete performance from the defending champions to complete a historic first double for the club following their SWALEC Cup victory a fortnight ago.
Ponty were In front from the fifth minute when Simon Humberstone kicked the first of four penalties. Thereafter, the first half was a procession of Pontypridd scorers with Llanelli finding the hosts too hot to handle.
Humberstone doubled Pontypridd’s advantage in the 10th minute after a spot of obstruction on the touchline and six became 13 after referee Ian Davies penalised Llanelli at scrum time. A quickly taken free kick created the space and captain Chris Dicomidis galloped 30 yards for Humberstone to convert.
A penalty after 17 minutes from Jordan Williams did give the Scarlets some hope, but their joy was short-lived as Pontypridd added a second try of the afternoon via the talented hands of Humberstone. Quick ruck ball was worked into the hands of the outside half and though Llanelli appeared to have held up the outgoing pivot, he was driven over the line for a try he duly improved.
Try number three and the touchdown that was to bring an end to any feint hopes Llanelli might have had of emulating their feat two years ago, arrived seven minutes before the interval. Llanelli hooker Kirby Myhill overthrew at a line out on half way and allowed Wales Sevens star Rhys Shellard to score a quite outstanding individual try.
The openside, who was celebrating 100 appearances for the Valley Commandoes collected at the tail of the line and brushed off three paper thin tackles before outstripping Llanelli’s cover to touch down for a try that Humberstone, once again, converted. With the final kick of the half, Humberstone extended the advantage by three with another penalty, from in front.
Humberstone’s next, following a late tackle from Williams, three minutes into the second half, put 30 points between the sides, but after their most impressive passage of play, just short of the hour, Llanelli finally found their way over the Pontypridd try line. There were nine phases in the build-up before Nic Reynolds was sent in at the posts courtesy of a smart, try scoring pass from fellow centre Chris Keenan.
It took Pontypridd precisely two minutes to register their latest response. An incisive break from 40 metres out, from full back Adam Thomas, created the gap and Matthew Nuttall did the rest for Humberstone to once again convert. It was to be the pivot’s final piece of action as he was immediately given a welcome break.
To their credit, Llanelli struck back once more with Kristian Phillips touching down with eight minutes remaining. However, it was Pontypridd who had the final say – replacement Darran Harris swatting to one side two tackles to score his side’s fifth and final try.
Scorers
Pontypridd: Tries: Dicomidis, Humberstone, Shellard, Nuttall, Harris; Cons: Humberstone (4), Flanagan; Pens: Humberstone (4)
Llanelli Tries: Reynolds, Phillips; Con: Lewis; Pen: Williams
