Tries from centre Dafydd Lockyer and lock Hemi Barnes, plus eight points from the boot of fly-half Liam Williams saw the Premiership champions’ home 18-11 at a rain soaked St Helen’s
Swansea registered a deserved try through full-back Liam Popham, while fly-half Ian Brooks kicked six points in a wonderfully spirited effort. The hosts had started strongly with Andrew Claypole’s break leading to a penalty which Brooks slotted for an early lead.
However, Ponty quickly hit back as Tom Williams’ error in midfield spilt the ball into Lockyer’s grateful hands for the centre to race in from 50 metres and settle any nerves. Williams added the conversion and slotted a penalty to extend the lead to seven points, although Brooks quickly replied with a three-pointer of his own.
The key blow was struck right on half-time. Swansea lost a line-out and Pontypridd forced a put-in of their own from which lock Barnes slid over from close-range for a nine-point interval lead.
Williams further extended Ponty’s advantage with his second penalty, but Swansea got themselves back in the hunt when Claypole launched a thrilling counter from deep and Popham made his way over. But Brooks could not add the extras and Pontypridd held out to advance.
Tries from centre Dafydd Lockyer and lock Hemi Barnes, plus eight points from the boot of fly-half Liam Williams saw the Premiership champions’ home 18-11 at a rain soaked St Helen’s
Swansea registered a deserved try through full-back Liam Popham, while fly-half Ian Brooks kicked six points in a wonderfully spirited effort. The hosts had started strongly with Andrew Claypole’s break leading to a penalty which Brooks slotted for an early lead.
However, Ponty quickly hit back as Tom Williams’ error in midfield spilt the ball into Lockyer’s grateful hands for the centre to race in from 50 metres and settle any nerves. Williams added the conversion and slotted a penalty to extend the lead to seven points, although Brooks quickly replied with a three-pointer of his own.
The key blow was struck right on half-time. Swansea lost a line-out and Pontypridd forced a put-in of their own from which lock Barnes slid over from close-range for a nine-point interval lead.
Williams further extended Ponty’s advantage with his second penalty, but Swansea got themselves back in the hunt when Claypole launched a thrilling counter from deep and Popham made his way over. But Brooks could not add the extras and Pontypridd held out to advance.
Rupert Moon’s RGC 1404 were signing in the rain in North Wales as they comfortably progressed into the second round of the SSE Swalec Cup with a 93-0 home win over fellow Championship side Llanharan.
The last time Llanharan, who are bottom of the Championship without a win in 12 games, were due to play RGC1404 the game was called off. They probably wished they had been able to give this 15 try massacre a miss as well.
The Lithuanian international back row man Zygimantas Radzuis was among the scorers for the home side as they notched the biggest cup win in their history, but it was the centre pairing of Tom Hughes and Tom Seddon that picked up the plaudits. They scored half of the tries between them with Hughes getting four and Seddon a hat-trick.
Wing Sam Jones scored twice and the other tries came from Sean Londgsalde, Cam Davies, Danny Cross, Richard Hopkins and Efan Jones. Cross converted five tries in the second half and Davies four in the first.
Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde reached the final of the Swalec Cup with Llanelli in the past and it was his son, the Wales Under 18 outside half Billy, who ensured his old club reached the second round safely. McBryde junior converted one of his side’s two tries and landed a 77th minute penalty to complete a 15-7 win at Tata Steel.
The game was moved to the Championship side’s ground to protect the surface at Parc y Scarlets, where the Scarlets met Connacht on Sunday, and the players ended up sloshing about in ankle deep water by the end.
A smart try from Kristian Jenkins, converted by Steve Lewis, gave the home side a 10th minute lead, but McBryde’s conversion of a penalty try midway through the first half allowed the Premiership outfit to level the scores.
It stayed at 7-7 until 12 minutes into the second half when Nathan Hughes edged Llanelli ahead. Then came MycBryde’s late penalty to make victory secure.
Newcastle Emlyn were impressive 24-3 winners at Glynneath, where full back Shaun Leonard shone in the first half by scoring all 10 points. A quick tap and go from a penalty just five metres out allowed him to dive over for the first score of the game and he converted his own try before adding a penalty.
Leonard converted two second half tries to end with a 14 point haul as the visitors took complete control. The first score was a penalty try and scrum half Mike Jones grabbed the second before the referee called a premature halt to proceedings on the hour mark.
Llandovery beat Cardiff 9-6 in an all Premiership battle that was a repeat of the 2007 final, when the Drovers won 20-18 at the Millennium Stadium. All the points in terrible conditions came from the boot, with Jack Maynard kicking three penalties for the home side and James Thomas two for Cardiff.
