Pontypool go to of the Indigo Premiership with win over Cardiff

A day later they showed why they deserve to be at the top table with a 16-9 win at Cardiff Arms Park. 

It was another winning weekend for the three Gwent clubs in the Indigo Premiership, despite Ebbw Vale losing top spot to Llandovery.

The Steelmen picked up another win at home against Bridgend, 18-16, but failed to earn a bonus point. 

Pontypool get 19-6 win over Cardiff RFC on Saturday, October 30. Picture: ncrphotography (Image: ncrphotography)That allowed the Drovers to take over the top spot on try count, with Newport’s latest triumph, 29-21 at home over Merthyr, moving them level on points with third-place Pooler with a game in hand. 

But it was a late, late try from Amos Nove in the Welsh capital that stole the points and the glory for Leighton Jones’ Pontypool side and set them up for a Thursday night showdown with Ebbw Vale at Pontypool Park. 

It may have been a slugfest at the Arms Park, with both sides level at 9-9 after three penalties apiece from Harrison James and Matthew Jarvis, but the visitors, roared on by their wonderful fans, somehow found a way to win. 

“It wasn’t the best of games and there are lots of areas for us to work on. We don’t want to be conceding that many penalties again and making errors like we did,” admitted Jones.  

Pontypool RFC celebrate win over Cardiff RFC. Picture: ncrphotography (Image: ncrphotography)“That said, I thought the boys showed superb character to go to the final whistle.

"The Arms Park is a difficult place to come, and they are a decent team, but I know we can definitely play a lot better than that.”  

In the end, it came to Nove’s desire to charge down a kick that ensured the visitors scored the only game try in what was otherwise a dour arm wrestle.  

A sixth win in a row from The Steelmen will have more than compensated for losing the top spot, although Jason Strange’s side were made to work hard for their narrow win over Bridgend. 

Skipper Rhys Francis got his side off to a good start with a try – the hooker’s sixth of the season so far.

Pontypool RFC in action at the Cardiff Arms Park. Picture: ncrphotography (Image: ncrphotography)Luke Price and Evan Lloyd swapped penalties but two more Price efforts from the tee had the Ravens with their noses in front by a point at the break. 

That lead extended to 16-8 shortly after the re-start when good work from Jack Pope put Jordan Collier over for a try which Price improved.

It meant Ebbw were in danger of losing at home for the first time this campaign, but they dug in and, after Lloyd had kicked his second penalty, they snatched four points thanks to a late penalty try. 

Newport made it three wins in a row with another bonus-point win. It’s also now five wins from six for the Black & Ambers.  

Pontypool RFC in action at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday, October 30. Picture: ncrphotography (Image: ncrphotography)They were ahead through captain Ben Roach’s try in the second minute which was followed by a try for Chay Foster-Smith.

Lloyd Lewis also scored in the first half for Newport – his sixth of the campaign – with two Jac Lloyd penalties seeing them 21-14 ahead at the break. 

A penalty try and Ben Jones, converted by Josh Lewis, replied for Merthyr.

Wade Langley bagged Newport their bonus point fourth try in 63 minutes and, although the visitors came back at them through a Travis Hawkins try which Lewis converted to move Merthyr back to within touching distance, Carwyn Penny came off the bench to kick a late penalty as Newport held on.