Last year’s double winners eventually secured a 42-31 win, a hat-trick from Wales Sevens winger Alex Webber proving decisive.
But it was rough justice on Bedwas who had taken Pontypridd to task for the majority of the 80 minutes, only to fall just short.
The match had started with Bedwas on the front foot, the visitors’ pack dominating their hosts. A series of Bedwas scrums eventually saw referee Rhys Thomas award Bedwas a penalty try and dispatch Pontypridd prop Kieron Jenkins to the sin bin. Richard Powell converted the try.
The early score had given Bedwas added belief and they continued to attack the Pontypridd defence. Dale McIntosh’s side soon replied though and after gaining possession deep inside their own 22, three passes put Webber away for the winger to sprint 90 metres to score in the corner. Dai Flanagan added the extras.
Bedwas hit back almost immediately. Will Harries broke down the right flank, brushing off several would be tacklers and putting Scott Williams in for a try which Powell again converted. Harries, on permit from the Dragons, then crossed for an unconverted try of his own six minutes later and the travelling Bedwas faithful were beginning to sense an upset.
Pontypridd were relying on Webber to keep them in the game, the electric back running in his second before a driving maul from a line out saw home captain Chris Dicomidis driven over for a try converted by Flanagan.
It was breathless stuff and just seconds before half time, Powell slotted a long range drop goal to put Bedwas into a three point interval lead.
The Gwent side started the second half as they had left off the first, Powell adding a penalty to stretch the visitors’ lead to six points before Webber scored his third of the afternoon. Flanagan’s unsuccessful conversion meant a solitary point separated the teams as the game reached its climax.
Powell and Flanagan then kicked two further penalties apiece as there remained little between the two sides.
But with seven minutes left, Pontypridd stamped their mark on the game as they took the lead for the first time.
Replacement back rower Rhys Shellard powered through for a try before full back Geraint Walsh crossed for a score converted by Flanagan.
The two quick-fire tries left no time for Bedwas to comeback and not only secured the win for Pontypridd, but harshly denied the visitors the losing bonus point their efforts deserved.
