Cross Keys 15 Bridgend 17

Wales on Sunday

TOM Williams, nephew of the legendary JPR, took just five minutes to make his mark on the Principality Premiership with a match-winning try on his debut in a hard-fought basement battle at Pandy Park.

Williams replaced centre Darren Simpson on the hour and just five minutes later co-centre Leighton Thomas made a half-break which was carried on by outside-half Matthew Jones on the loop. Williams took his pass to race over and level the scores at 15-15.Jones still had to land a tricky conversion into a strong wind but he made no mistake, giving the Ravens victory.

A superb driving maul by the Ravens ended with hooker Ieuan Dobbs getting an eighth-minute try which Jones converted.

After 19 minutes, however, Keys turned the ball over and worked it out to James who crossed wide out. Jones kicked a penalty after 44 minutes, Scott Mitchell replied for Keys and they then took the lead, Johnstone racing 50 metres after a quick penalty, Mitchell converting.

Newport 25 Pontypridd 28

By www.PontypriddRFC.co.uk - Rygbi Pontypridd - Official Website / Y Wefan Swyddogol - The Valleys' Premier Team.

Although outscored by four tires to three, the excellent kicking of Neil Burnett brought the first ever win for Pontypridd at Rodney Parade in the new Principality Premiership. Ponty were 14-3 down at one time and trailed by 17-11 at half time, but the team stuck well to its task and a starring performance from Damien Welch brought about a deserved win.

The Newport centres continually played havoc with Ponty in the early stages, and their young outside half showed some nice touches. They could have run away with the game, and had scored three tries by half time. Fortunately their goal kicking was below par, and only one conversion went over. Ponty only had two Burnett penalties to show for all their efforts until Damien Welch got the first of his two tries, and a mid-point score of 17-11 somewhat flattered the visitors.

However, the Pontypridd front five was going well, and Burnett kept kicking the goals which Newport were missing. Gradually the game slipped away from the home side as Welch got another try, and Gavin Dacey scored from well inside his own half with a brilliant run. Two conversions and another penalty from Neil saw Ponty safely home in the end.

As well as Damien Welch, Kristian Baller had yet another excellent game on the wing, briefly at scrum half when Andrew Jenkins collected a yellow card, and finally at full-back as a replacement for Jason Pocock! Neil Burnett had one of his best games at No. 10, and his goal kicking was immaculate. All the Pontypridd front five did very well, and Tom Games had a good match in the back row. A new face, Ryan Savage from Mountain Ash, came on as a replacement in the second half - welcome to Pontypridd Ryan.

The Pontypridd team was: 

15. Jason Pocock (rep. Gareth John); 14. Kristian Baller, 13. Gavin Dacey, 12. Paul Mathews (rep. Dafydd Lockyer), 11. Chris Clayton; 10. Neil Burnett, 9. Andrew Jenkins;

1. Stuart Williams (rep.Nick Eaves), 2. Richard Emms (rep. Leighton Davies), 3. Sam Hobbs (rep. Ryan Harford), 4. Grant Harrington (rep. Dale McIntosh), 5. Damien Welch, 6. Tom Games (rep. Ryan Savage), 7. Justin Jones, 8. Nathan Strong (Captain).

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