Pontypridd get the chance to put right last year’s semi-final heartbreak after they beat Cardiff RFC 40-12 at Sardis Road. Alex Webber, Tom Williams, Owen Sheppeard and Gavin Dacey got the tries for last season’s Principality Premiership and SWALEC Cup champions – with 20 points coming from the boot of outside-half Simon Humberstone.
Dean Gunter kicked four penalties in reply for the BT Sport Arms Park club but Ponty romped into Pool A.
They will play 2011 winners Bristol, Connacht and London Scottish – who they came up against in last season’s competition.
Carmarthen Quins will represent the Scarlets region after running out 37-13 winners in the battle of West Wales against Llandovery. Chris Banfield scored a hat-trick of tries with flying wing Jason Harries and back-rower Sion Bennett also getting on the scoresheet.
The Drovers led 13-10 at the break thanks to a Rhodri Jones try whilst the Quins were down to 14 men and two Ian Brooks penalties. But the Scarlets region qualifiers stormed into this year’s competition with three second half tries at The Park.
Aberavon claimed a dramatic victory over Bridgend Ravens to earn the right to represent the Ospreys region in this year’s pool stages. Ceiron Thomas converted a match-winning drop goal in the ninth minute of injury time at the Brewery Field.
Aberavon raced into a 17-8 lead at half-time after Ospreys academy product Ben John and David Pritchard both crossed the try-line. But the Ravens hit-back through Adam Williams who pounced on a charged-down kicked and raced down the touchline to score.
Ashleigh James forced his way over before Luke Price kicked a late penalty which looked to have secured victory. But Thomas found the time to slot home a last minute drop-goal and earn his side a place in this season’s British & Irish Cup.
Cross Keys secured their spot after they overcame Gwent rivals Newport 31-12 at Pandy Park. Wales Under-20 starlet Angus O’Brien starred as the Keys raced to a 17-0 lead.
He set up Nathan Trowbridge for the opening score before he claimed a cross-kick from flanker Scott Matthews to touchdown himself. Newport hit-back with a tries by full-back Geraint O’Driscoll and Dan Robinson to go in 20-12 down at the break. Adam Powell rounded off the win inspired by O’Brien – who scored 21 points on the day.
