A last-gasp penalty goal from outside half Jacob Symes sent Pontypridd through to the semi-finals of the WRU Premiership Cup in dramatic fashion 29-28 at the expense of Bargoed.
In what was a pulsating cup tie, Bargoed had moments earlier looked to have snatched victory when second row James Locke crashed over for his second try of the match, converted by Josh Prosser, to put them 28-26 ahead.
But Ponty would not be denied and went back up the other end, eventually winning a penalty, with Symes goaling with what proved to be the last kick of the game.
“Don’t miss!” said Symes on what he was thinking as he stepped up. “It was just trying to keep calm and then putting it over. It wasn’t a tough kick, luckily, so I’m just glad it went through.
“It was nail-biting stuff; we gave away a few too many penalties and let Bargoed back in, but it was a class effort from the boys to dig deep and eventually come away with the win.
“We know what Bargoed bring, they beat Merthyr last week, so all credit to them really – it was a hell of a game if you’re a neutral.”
Hooker Rob Jones scored in each half for Ponty with centre Ioan Evans also on the scoresheet. Symes kicked one conversion and four penalties. Hooker Morgan Edwards was Bargoed’s other try scorer, with Prosser adding two conversions and three penalties.
It means there will be no immediate return to the Principality Stadium for Bargoed who lifted the Championship Cup there last season after a crushing 65-12 victory over Ystrad Rhondda.
Meanwhile, the last eight marks the end of the road in this season’s Premiership Cup for Ystrad Rhondda, who went down 44-21 to Merthyr at Gelligaled Park.
Skipper Ben Jones led the way with two tries, three conversions and two penalties as Merthyr – beaten Premiership Cup finalists last season – booked their spot in the last four and are now just 80 minutes away from another final.
Hooker Ellis Shipp also bagged a brace for the Ironmen with Dafydd Thomas and Jacob Lloyd their other try scorers. Jack Griffiths converted the Lloyd try, while Liam Wiggins, Alex Webber and Logan Hutchings scored for the home side, all converted by Rhys Truelove.
The game also marked a milestone 200th club appearance for Merthyr stalwart Craig Locke. The talismanic second row knows all about reaching cup finals, having played in three WRU Cup finals with Merthyr and five before that with Pontypridd – the club he also represented 137 times.
Joining Merthyr in the semis are Newbridge who overcame Brecon 32-22. Scott Evans, Matthew Davies, Zach Stuart and Simon Veall grabbed the Newbridge tries, Robbie Turley sent over three conversions and penalty, while Reegan Davies also chipped in with a penalty.
Logan McIntosh, Chad Davies and Ioan Edwards were the Brecon try scorers. Jack Dixon landed two conversions and a penalty.
Completing the semi-final line-up are Cross Keys after they pulled off a magnificent seven-try 52-28 quarter-final victory at Narberth.
Left wing Laurence Donnelly and scrum-half Elliott Martin-Drew were both at the double for Keys with right wing James Smith, flanker Will Morgan and replacement Cai Davies their other try scorers. Adam Tetley added seven conversions and a penalty.
Ashley Sutton, Harry Fuller, Sam Davies and Josh Thomas crossed the whitewash for the Otters. Jonathan Rogers added the extras.
