The so-called House of Pain was a graveyard for some of Europe’s biggest clubs before Welsh rugby brought in a regional tier but it was Pontypridd who suffered this time as the lead changed hands six times during a rousing encounter, with Merthyr taking it 30-27.
It was a defeat that left Gareth Wyatt’s new look side still searching for their first win of the season, while the Ironmen can now think about repeating their great cup triumph of 2018.
Outside-halves Gareth Thompson and Josh Phillips exchanged early penalties but the scoreboard went into overdrive with full-back Liam Lloyd and flanker Curtis Greenslade touching down for Ponty to give them a 17-6 lead.
But two tries from Merthyr hooker Dan Wall, with a conversion and penalty from Thompson gave the Ironmen the slimmest of advantages heading into the interval.
A penalty from Phillips regained the lead for Ponty. Lock Craig Locke went over to put Merthyr back ahead, only to lose it to a try from Mitch Barnard, converted by Phillips. But Merthyr grabbed the spoils with an unconverted try strike from left-wing Lloyd Rowlands.
Pontypool completed a Championship league and cup double last season, but it was Aberavon who made certain of a safe passage into the second round during the final 40 minutes of a 20-10 win at the Talbot Athletic Ground.
Aberavon avenged last weekend’s Indigo Premiership defeat at the same venue as they went about their work with outside-half Aled Thomas landing a penalty to seize the lead. Thomas then doubled it to six points with a second penalty.
Pooler outside-half Josh Malson was off-target with two penalty attempts at the other end and then failed to convert hooker Peter Lloyd’s try. Nevertheless, the newly promoted Gwent outfit got their noses in front when speedster Ewan Rosser accelerated away for an unconverted touchdown.
It was 10-6 to the visitors but the sin-binning of debut-making scrum-half substitute Matthew Flanagan turned the tide in favour of Aberavon with full-back Steff Andrews scoring, replacement James Davies converting to put them back in front.
The Wizards maintained the pressure with centre Frankie Jones crossing, Davies converting to crucially put them into a winning 10-point lead.
In-form Ebbw Vale followed up last weekend’s spectacular triumph at Cardiff with an emphatic 40-19 victory over newly promoted Neath at The Gnoll.
The Steelmen had led 21-0 but 19 points from Neath resulted in a two-point game at the end of the first half. However, Ebbw turned on the style in the second half with an unanswered 19 points.
No.8 Chad Thomas, blindside flanker Gethin Williams, scrum-half Rory Harries, substitute hooker Ieuan Morris and right-wing Morgan Richards got touchdowns, Kieran Meek and Evan Lloyd converting two apiece, while there was also a penalty try.
Wales international Dafydd Howells and captain Ryan Evans were among those who got on the scoresheet for Neath.
Bridgend Ravens were always in control as they disposed of RGC 35-13 at the Dunraven Brewery Field with full-back Ed Howley and left-wing Cam Ellis getting two tries apiece.
Hooker Connah Vaughan and lock Ben Thomas also scored with substitute Rhys Williams landing a conversion and penalty. The Gogs tries came from hooker replacement Rhodri King and centre Matt Buchanan, who was the beneficiary of some smart work by wing Harri Hughes. Full-back Sam Earl-Jones kicked a penalty.
Carmarthen Quins, Llandovery and Swansea had byes into the next round.
