Chris Dicomidis says Pontypridd aren’t giving up on securing the fourth and final play-off place in the Indigo Premiership after their 25-22 win over Merthyr.
The Valley Commandos bagged the bragging rights and made it two wins from two under interim head coach Dicomidis after putting one over rivals Merthyr in their derby clash at Sardis Road. Scrum-half Harvey Nash scored twice, while tight head prop Tom Harper also crashed over.
Outside centre Adam Hoskins, back-rower Kian Evans and replacement prop Dave Whiting scored for cup finalists Merthyr as they headed north back up the A470 with a losing bonus point.
“I was extremely proud of the boys’ efforts, the past two weeks have been phenomenal. It was nip and tuck, especially with the weather conditions and, every time you play Merthyr, you know they’re going to keep coming at you right to the end, but I think we deserved our win,” said Dicomidis.
“We managed to score a couple of nice tries and defended well for periods as well, so really pleased and we keep building.
“The top four is not out of our grasp and it’s very cliché again, but we’ll just keep taking it week by week and game by game, but we’ve got to keep turning up and putting that level of effort in and I’m sure we’ll get the wins.”
It was Hoskins’ try eight minutes into the contest that saw Merthyr hit the front first, touching down after he had collected a bouncing ball for a try which full-back Gareth Thompson improved.
However, Ponty responded five minutes later, with inside centre Ryan Wilkins offloading to Nash to finish off a slick passing move. Full-back Josh Phillips added the extras to level matters.
The hosts were then reduced to 14 men after 23 minutes when winger Niko Matawalu was penalised for a deliberate knock-on – and Merthyr immediately seized on their numerical advantage when the resultant lineout maul saw Evans eventually ground the ball. This time outside half Josh Lewis converted.
Phillips and outside half Ben Burnell missed with penalty attempts but Ponty were over for the second try just before the break, scored by Harper. The conversion was missed to leave them trailing 14-12 at half time.
Merthyr further extended their lead three minutes into the second half courtesy of Lewis’ penalty but the next try went to the home side just past the hour mark.
Matawalu collected Kristian Parker’s pass and sped off down the wing before sending Nash in for his second and Ponty’s third try of the match. Burnell converted to give his side the lead for the first time.
Burnell’s penalty on 66 minutes then extended the lead to 22-17 but Merthyr weren’t finished and hit back again with 10 minutes remaining with replacement Whiting crossing for their third try to level the scores again.
Lewis’ conversion attempt was wide and, although both sides had their opportunities in the closing stages, the decisive moment came after 76 minutes when Burnell split the posts with his second successful penalty goal of the contest.
Scorers: Pontypridd: Tries: H Nash 2, T Harper; Cons: J Phillips, B Burnell; Pens: B Burnell 2. Merthyr: Tries: A Hoskins; K Evans, D Whiting; Cons: G Thompson; J Lewis; Pen: J Lewis
