Skipper Cally James, brother Cai James, Joe Miles, Louis Rochefort-Shugar, Lucas Welsh and Stuart Floyd-Ellis got the Pontypridd tries. Jacob Symes kicked four conversions and Jaydan Pugh two.
A try by Harry Rice, converted by Tom Howlett, and another from Ben Agbenu were all the points that Cardiff Met could muster.
“It was an outstanding performance, especially from our forward pack,” said Ponty player coach Garyn Smith.
“Fair play to Cardiff Met, they didn’t make it easy at all for us and when we gave them loose ball, they really counterattacked against us – but our defence really stood up today.
“It’s something we’ve been putting in a lot of work on to improve this season and it’s paying dividends.”
After the match Pontypridd were presented with the inaugural John Pugh Memorial Shield. The trophy pays tribute to the memory of Dr John Pugh, who was chairman of Cardiff Met RFC for over 30 years and who was made Life President in 2022, before his sad passing in October 2023.
He also proudly represented Pontypridd as a player in his younger days, as did late brother Vernon – who went on to become chairman of the WRU and the IRB.
A host of other players have also represented both clubs over the years and two of those, Gareth Baber and Geraint Lewis, were there to present the Shield to Pontypridd – who will now defend it when the two clubs next meet.
“It’s entirely fitting that we should commemorate John’s contribution to our rugby club in a fixture against Pontypridd,” said Cardiff Met RFC Chair Dave Cobner.
“That’s because John was very proud to have played for Pontypridd in his younger days. He would have loved to have been here today to see his beloved Cardiff Met team taking on his former club in the new Admiral Premiership.”
The win at the Cyncoed campus made it five out of five so far this season for Pontypridd – who now hold the only remaining unbeaten record in the division. That is after Merthyr were stunned 39-35 at home by Bargoed.
Wing Josh Congreve’s late try snatched victory for the visitors in a 10-try thriller at the Wern. It was one of a brace for Congreve, with centre Jordan Howells also at the double.
Louis Tovey was the other Bargoed try scorer with Josh Prosser kicking four conversions and two penalties. Hooker Ellis Shipp scored a hat-trick for Merthyr with skipper Paddy McBride and Craig Locke also going over, while Ben Jones converted all five tries.
Merthyr drop to third with Neath moving a point above them and level with Pontypridd – albeit having played a game more – after recording a five-star 33-24 win over Ystrad Rhondda at the Gnoll.
Ki Morgan, Ryan Griffiths and Gethin Tremlett and two tries from skipper Ben Williams guided the Welsh All Blacks home. Steff Williams kicked four conversions.
Rhys Truelove, Morgan Williams, Liam Wiggins and Cole Morgan replied for Ystrad as they took away a try bonus point. Truelove improved two of them from the tee.
Newbridge were 36-30 victors at bottom side Narberth, who are still without a league win. Cian Jones and Simon Veall both bagged try braces with Scott Evans and Jakob Duffy also going over for Newbridge.
Robbie Turley kicked three conversions for the Gwent club. Roy Osborne scored twice for the Otters alongside a Geraint Llewellyn try and five penalty goals from Jonathan Rogers.
Callum Price and Eray Wilson were also at the double for Llangennech on their way to a 40-19 win at Bonymaen. Finlay Cooke and Jordan Saunders were also on the scoresheet with Steff Marshall added the extras.
Tries from Nathan Huish, Laurence Donnelly, Ralph Miller, Dan Babos and James Smith saw Cross Keys to victory 34-17 over Newcastle Emlyn. Adam Tetley added three conversions and a penalty.
