In a first-half that saw 44 points scored, both teams threw the ball around with Ponty especially committed to playing a fast paced, offloading game.
After an early scare for the home side when scrum-half Gareth James saw his kick charged down after just 30 seconds, Ponty quickly moved into a 12-0 lead. A breakaway down the right hand touchline saw the ball go through a number of hands before prop Scott Roberts crashed over.
Dai Flanagan missed the conversion but just minutes later, another free flowing move from inside their own half saw an overlap created down the right which Lewis Williams made the most of. This time Flanagan converted to give his side a fast start.
Bedwas, who had barely touched the ball in the opening exchanges, responded quickly with their first trip to the Ponty 22. A blindside move from a scrum saw right winger Rory Budina go over in the corner, far too easily for the home supporters liking.
Though their tackling in defence left something to be desired, Ponty were playing some attractive stuff, their backs in particular looking to offload at every opportunity. And they were rewarded for their adventure when Flanagan added a penalty to extend his side’s lead to 10 points.
Despite their attacking menace, Ponty still looked suspect defensively and the home side’s defence stood motionless as a chip ahead saw Bedwas flanker Sam Feehan collect to dot down underneath the posts. Richard Powell added the conversion and kicked a penalty and despite dominating territory and possession, Ponty found themselves pegged back.
And his side’s sloppiness in defence is something Ponty head coach Dale McIntosh will look to address.
“I thought both teams had an intent to play and 55 points is great but it could have been more if we’d been more clinical,” he said.
“Conceding 27 points is a bit concerning, our defence wasn’t as accurate as we wanted it to be.
“A couple of the tries were quite soft so it’s back to the drawing board on that. But with two wins out of two we’re happy and I’m sure it was a great spectacle.”
After Bedwas drew level, McIntosh’s side responded brilliantly and added two further tries before half-time to secure a bonus point. Fullback Geraint Walsh cut a brilliant line to score under the posts and a huge shove from the Ponty pack left No. 8 Jake Thomas with the simple task of grounding the ball from a scrum. Flanagan added the extras and in the process went past 800 points for the club as his side took a commanding half-time lead.
“It means a lot and it was a target I set myself when I came back but there’s things to work on,” said the fly-half.
“We’ve got a strong squad and there’s a lot of competition for places. Everyone who has played so far has impressed and worked hard.”
The second-half saw Ponty cut out some of the errors that blighted their first-half performance as they put the Bedwas defence to the test.
Lewis Williams added his second try after some quick distribution from replacement scrum-half Carl Thomas. Thomas then added a try himself on the hour mark before winger Owen Williams scored in the corner as his side moved further clear.
Flanagan added two conversions but Ponty leaked two further tries as Bedwas secured a losing bonus point. Budina added his second for the visitors and replacement Rory Wood went over under the posts either side of Pat Palmer’s score final for Ponty as the home side secured a comfortable win.
Man of the Match: Rhys Shellard (Pontypridd)
