Pontypridd 25 - 33 Newport

Ponty got off to a good start against Newport but failed to capitalise on early pressure. Gareth Wyatt got past the last man only for his pass out to Geraint Lewis to go astray. It was a similar story when Neil Jenkins took a penalty near the Newport line and instead of kicking for touch he tried to catch Newport off guard by tapping and passing out to Wyatt but again the pass didn't go to hand.

Newport got the scoreboard ticking over minutes later  when Percy Montgomery slotted over a penalty and soon after Andy Marinos broke through some weak tackling to score the first try which Monty converted. A second try was not long coming for Newport and more weak tackling allowed Newport to score again - Monty again converting.

However, Ponty managed to respond before half time with two Neil Jenkins penalties which left the half time score 17 - 6 and another added bonus for Ponty was that Jason Strange had been sent to the sin bin so would miss the start of the second half.

In the second half, Ponty began to fightback with a try from Geraint Lewis after a quick tap penalty from Brett Davey - Jenkins converting. However, Montgomery slotted over a penalty to put Newport further ahead and then when Jason Lewis was rather harshly sent to the sin bin for a high tackle, Newport capitalised by unsing the one spare man to good effect. Alex Cadwalider crossed the line and Monty converted the try before being substituted.

With 15 minutes to go the score was 13 - 30 and Ponty looked out of the game but Ian Gough was the next to be sent to the sin bin and five minutes later, the next two players were to receive ten minutes cooling down. Simon Raiwalui started a fight with Robert Sidoli and although Sidoli was the innocent party he was sent to the sin bin along with Raiwalui. However, Ponty were given the penalty and from Jenkins kick to touch Ponty were able to use the catch and drive tactic to push over the Newport line. The try would have been given but due to Newport offending as the try was scored, the referee awarded a penalty try to Ponty which Jenkins converted. 

5 minutes left and Ponty kicked a penalty to touch again looking to use the catch and drive tactic. The tactic was successful as Ponty drove Newport over their line to score another try - this time through Mefin Davies. However, Newport were clearly upset by something and a number of punches were thrown. The linesman who was making his way behind the posts in preparation for the conversion saw everything and after a discussion with the referee, Newport Number 6 was sent off.

Jenkins missed with the conversion leaving the score at 25 - 30 but Ponty had plenty of opportunities to win the game late on but Newport were playing dirty and persistently fouling as the Ponty pack drove near the line. In the end there was no time left for another kick to touch and a catch and drive so from the tap and go Ponty spread the ball wide but unfortunately for them as Brent Cockbain dived over the line his foot went into touch and no try was given. That was to be the last piece of play and Newport stole the game by 30 - 25.

This was a game that Ponty should have won but handling errors on a number of occasions let them down and the referee only started penalising the Newport team near the end which was all to late for Ponty.

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