It was the first time in 10 attempts the Gwent side had beaten Llanelli in the competition, including a final defeat in 1991; it was their first win at Parc y Scarlets, having suffered defeat in their four previous visits; it extended their unbeaten record this season to 17 games; and it put them in the hat for the last 16.
But more than anything, it proved all the hard work going on at Pontypool Park is keeping one of the great names of Welsh rugby on a par with the clubs with who they used to rub shoulders. Last season’s failure to reach the Principality Premiership condemned Pontypool to three seasons in the Championship, but the signs are they aren’t taking life easy
“There’s a lot of character and belief in the team and the boys are really pleased with the win. The league’s going well but we wanted to show that we’re not just doing a good job in the Championship and that we can compete with the Premiership teams,” Pontypool head coach Leighton Jones told the South Wales Argus.
“I think we wanted it a bit more – we’re really tight as a squad and the culture in the changing room is what pulled us over the line. We had a plan to try to dominate territory and squeeze them into mistakes, and I think that game plan worked quite well.
“We’ve got a belief in this squad and we’re not afraid to travel anywhere in this competition. We’ll focus back on the league now, but there is a belief that when the cup comes around again we can get another win.
“We’d just like a home game in the next round, get one of the Premiership sides at our place and test ourselves again.”
Player-coach Matthew Jones was instrumental in notching a famous win – Pontypool were the only Championship club to topple a Premiership team – and his game-management was as crucial as his three penalties. Aaron Quick and Alex Watkins scored tries for the visitors, while all Llanelli’s points came from Johnny Lewis.
Reigning champions Llandovery launched their title defence with a stunning 34-10 win over Aberavon. They had been beaten at the Talbot Athletics Ground on the opening day of the Premiership season, but were too good for their hosts this time.
The Drovers hit the Wizards for six with tries from Jack Parkinson (2), Scott Gibson, Aaron Warren, Duane Eager and Craig Woodall. The holders were 22-10 ahead in a game refereed by Nigel Owens and while adding three more second half tries they kept the home side scoreless.
Bedlinog won the National Plate at the Principality Stadium last season and they pushed Bargoed all the way before going down to a 23-15 home defeat, while Ebbw Vale successfully steered themselves past another Championship side, Skewen. Centre Nathan Preece helped himself to a hat-trick of tries in a 57-7 home win for the Steelmen.
There was a hat-trick of tries for another centre, Josh Leech, among the 13 scored in RGC 1404’s 81-7 win over Dunvant at Parc Eirias, but wing Morgan Girffiths topped them all with four tries in Carmarthen Quins’ 63-10 home win over Newcastle Emlyn.
Foster’s Challenge Cup semi-finalists Bedwas were too strong for Glamorgan Wanderers, No 8 Andrew Waite crossing three times for the home side in their 40-3 triumph, while Cross Keys outside half Josh Prosser converted all seven of his side’s tries in a 49-3 home win at Glynneath.
Gareth Thomson scored 27 points for Cardiff as they went safely through to the last 16 with a thumping 76-22 home win over Tata Steel. He scored a hat-trick of tries and also kicked six conversions.
There was another hat-trick at The Wern where Arron Pinches scored three of his side’s nine tries in Merthyr’s 61-12 demolition of Newbridge. Matthew Jarvis picked up 21 points with eight conversions and a try.
WRU National Cup – Round 1 Results
Aberavon 10 – 34 Llandovery
Bedlinog 15 – 23 Bargoed
Bedwas 40 – 3 Glamorgan Wanderers
Cardiff 76 – 22 Tata Steel
Cardiff Met 12 – 43 Pontypridd
Carmarthen Quins 63 – 10 Newcastle Emlyn
Ebbw Vale 57 – 7 -Skewen
Glynneath 3 – 49 Cross Keys
Llanelli 11 – 19 Pontypool
Merthyr 61 – 12 Newbridge
Newport 21 – 18 Swansea
RGC 1404 81 – 7 Dunvant
