Pontypridd registered three tries through Jake Thomas, Dale Stuckey and Dan Godfrey as they remain on course for another final appearance at the Millennium Stadium.
Pontypridd were left frustrated by their efforts in the first-half. The home side managed to register an early score after Ponty conceded a penalty not long after kick-off. Inside-centre, Adam Jones managed to slot the first kicking opportunity through the posts, making it 3-0 to Ebbw Vale.
The early concession of points sparked Pontypridd into action. A number of phases were rumbled through as Ponty tried to strike back but kept out by staunch Ebbw Vale defending and less than perfect handling in key areas.
Despite exerting considerable pressure Ponty were hit by a sucker punch just after the fifteen minute mark. The home side, who enjoyed a strong scrum in the first-half, were able to register a try after fly-half Iain Smerdon had chipped towards the left-corner, with wing Owen Williams touching down. The score and conversion handed Ebbw Vale a 10-0 lead.
Ponty hooker Huw Dowden executed a fine break soon after, being dragged down in the Ebbw twenty-two, before Ponty eventually lost possession. Ebbw Vale resistance was finally broken just on the half-hour mark. Simon Humberstone had kicked to touch and from the resulting line-out Ponty drove over with no 8 Jake Thomas emerging with the ball. Humberstone added the extras to make the score 7-10. The score remained the same until half-time, with both sides battling to establish supremacy.
Pontypridd flew out of the traps at the start of the second-half and were soon level as Humberstone slotted his first penalty of the match in front of the posts, tying it up at 10-10.
Pontypridd talisman Dafydd Lockyer was denied a try soon after as the captain was adjudged to have failed to touch the ball down over the line, following a fine team break. That lost opportunity was quickly followed by Humberstone missing a long-range penalty effort just after the forty-seven minute mark.
However the travelling Ponty support didn’t have to wait long for a second try. Pacey wing Dale Stuckey was on hand to finish off a flowing move in Ebbw Vale territory with Humberstone adding the conversion to make it 10-17.
The score remained the same until the closing stages of the game. Pontypridd sealed the game by working lock Dan Godfrey over the line after a devastating rolling maul and numerous phases, the score putting the game to bed.
