Ponty pip Llanelli to Premiership crown

Pontypridd 15 Llanelli 13
TWO points separated them in the league table and two points was the difference between Pontypridd and Llanelli last night as the Welsh Premiership title was decided at Sardis Road.

This time the honours went the way of the hosts, five Lewis K Williams penalties taking Pontypridd to a 15-13 victory and denying Llanelli back-to-back play-off final successes.

This year, as last year, Llanelli arrived at the House of Pain having finished runners-up to the Valley Commandos at the end of the regular season but knowing that they beat the home side 24-18 in the same fixture in 2011.

Around 5,000 packed into the famous valleys ground though with the weather getting progressively worse during the night the match wasn’t quite the spectacle most had hoped for. But what the game lacked in tries it made up for in passion and commitment.

In the end, Pontypridd deserved their win, putting behind them their defeat to Cross Keys in the Swalec Cup final and that reverse against Llanelli 12 months ago.

Although the visitors enjoyed more possession in their opponents’ half, it was Pontypridd who took a 9-3 lead into the break after three Williams penalties to one by Llanelli namesake Jordan Williams.

A yellow card for flanker Nic Cudd didn’t have too much of an effect on Llanelli though Jordan Williams did miss two further kicks at goal, one striking an upright, which would have seen the sides level at the interval.

It became 12-3 soon after the restart with Lewis K Williams on target again before Jordan Williams came within inches of grabbing the game’s first try. He fumbled an up and under just inside his own half before breaking through a couple of Pontypridd tackles and kicking ahead. He couldn’t quite get his hands on the ball and the hosts eventually cleared.

Kevin George’s men did score though when the ball was moved wide to the right and No 8 Craig Price had the easy task of crossing in the corner. The conversion was added and Llanelli were 12-10 behind.

A fourth Lewis K Williams penalty on the hour mark eased the pressure but the gap was brought back to two when Jordan Williams made it 15-13. And the drama was far from over.

With only eight minutes left on the clock, Pontypridd replacement Gary Williams, more out of enthusiasm than real malice, left full-back Dan Newton in a crumpled heap after taking out the Llanelli man in the air.

Referee Ian Davies showed no hesitation in giving Williams a red card, but thankfully for Pontypridd his misdemeanour didn’t prove costly and there was an almighty cheer when the official blew his whistle to signal the end of the match.

“This is a fantastic feeling, a great honour and just reward for this squad after a long, hard season,” said Pontypridd captain Chris Dicomidis after lifting the trophy. “Winning the league crown is something so special, as it has been earned the hard way after nine months’ graft.

“It was a difficult game against a fully committed Llanelli team and weather conditions dictated the night, but we dug deep and fronted up to deservedly take the silverware. It just doesn’t get any better than this.”

By David Williams