This victory, which completed a league double over the Valley Commandos, moved the Ironmen to within just a point of their rivals and, crucially, with two games in hand. The damage was done by Merthyr in the first half.
Two tries for wing Finley Baker and one for scrum-half James Soanes, along with two conversions and two penalties from Ben Jones, saw them 25-7 ahead at the break. Hooker Ellis Shipp’s second half try secured the visitors a bonus-point after Jones had sent over his third penalty.
Full-back Oli Shepherd scored after the break for Pontypridd after wing Dale Stuckey’s first half score, converted by Jaydan Pugh. It was stalwart Stuckey’s 100th try on his 204th club appearance.
Ponty were awarded a penalty try seven minutes from time, but it proved too little too late as they suffered back-to-back defeats. It was also their first taste of defeat at Sardis Road in the league since 29 February 2024.
They will need to dust themselves down quickly ahead of a trip to Dale McIntosh’s Brecon on Saturday before a Principality Stadium showdown with Cross Keys in the Premiership Cup final on 5 April.
Brecon will go into that match on the back of three straight wins and four triumphs in their last five outings. Wing Sam Jones’ hat-trick inspired their 45-26 win at Llangennech.
Jake Newman, Chris Phillips and Callum Bradbury were the other Brecon scorers, with James Dixon converting all six tries as well as slotting a penalty.
Will Thomas, Callum Jenkins, Jordan Saunders and Callum Woolley were Llan’s scorers for a bonus point. Steffan Jac Jones added three conversions.
Narberth gave their survival hopes a timely boost as they ended a run of seven straight defeats with a 22-6 home victory over Bonymaen. Llew Jones, Dean James and Lewys Gibby scored for the Otters with Jonathan Rogers adding two conversions and a penalty.
Lawrence Thomas – the last kick hero of the win over Pontypridd the week before – replied with two penalties for Bonymaen who were unable to back it up with another win. That result pulls second from bottom Narberth back level on points with third bottom Bonymaen, although they do still have a game in hand on Narberth.
Bottom club Newcastle Emlyn are 10 points from safety although did take two bonus points after scoring six tries despite going down 42-36 at Ystrad Rhondda.
Right wing Kurtis Williams bagged a brace with Cavan Davies, Ben Huxtable, Keian Richards and Callum Phillips also crossing for the hosts at Gelligaled Park. Mike Jones, Celt Davies, Reece Morris, Steffan Evans, Dyfed Morgan and Steff W Evans were on the scoresheet for Emlyn, with the latter also sending over three conversions.
Newbridge got the better of Cardiff Met 22-19, while Neath won narrowly 26-24 at Bargoed in the battle of the sides in third and fourth, with scrum-half Connor Tantum at the double.
Wingers Rhodri Wall and Jon Bayliss also scored for the Welsh All Blacks in their bonus-point win. Steff Williams added three conversions.
