Their five try, bonus point victory moved them 24 points
clear of nearest rivals Bedwas, who have just four games remaining and not
enough points available to claw the gap back.
Their play-off opponents are likely to be either Bedwas themselves
or Llanelli, with Cross Keys and Llandovery still just in the hunt but also finding
games and points available running out to achieve their goals.
Cardiff were hit by a serious of injuries, particularly in
the first-half, with their physio arguably the busiest man of the night. Their
try scorer Cory Allen, for example, was hurt while crossing the whitewash and
had to leave the field.
For the first 15 minutes things were pretty tight, but from
the moment prop Scott Roberts touched down for a try, which Simon Humberstone
converted, the writing was on the wall and the travelling Ponty faithful could
start the party.
Full-back Adam Thomas bagged a try after 25 minutes and with
Humberstone converting Ponty led 14-7 at the break.
Thomas completed his brace soon after the restart and then
the floodgates opened with centre Gary Williams and wing Owen Jenkins crossing
for tries, both converted by Dai Flanagan who had come on for Humberstone.
The match was done, and it was just a matter of counting
down the clock and seeing out the victory in a professional manner.
Ponty assistant coach Paul John had every reason to smile after
his side's emphatic triumph - their 18th in 19 league games - but he was not
getting carried away just yet as Ponty still have plenty to play for.
“We are chuffed to bits with the win, as the aim was to keep
things ticking,” he said afterwards. “There is a massive game at the weekend in
the Cup and we have loads of respect for Carmarthen Quins so we have to keep
focussed.
“This is just one job done and now it is on with the next
one. To score 35 points and five converted tries at the Arms Park is a
fantastic achievement.
“We have good competition for places and the team is in good
shape, and the support was magnificent tonight as always.”
This convincing victory will put Ponty in good heart for
their Cup semi-final against the Quins at Aberavon on Saturday, and the league
and Cup double is looking very much on the cards.
There were also some games played in the Swalec Leagues,
with Rhosllanerchrugog moving to the
top of Three North after scoring five tries of their own in in 29-12 bonus
point victory over Flint. That bonus
point could be vital, as they move a point ahead of Wrexham and Newtown in the
table having played a game less.
In Four East, Cilfynydd
extended their lead at the top to eight points with a 36-10 victory over Hafodyrynys. They also still hold a
game in hand over closest rivals Ynysddu.
Penlan climbed to
the top of Four South West with a 26-8 beating of Pontardawe, their 14th victory in 15 league games this
season. They now sit a point ahead of Glyncorrwg having played a game less, and
four ahead of Bryncethin while holding three games in hand.
Finally, Abertysswg
switched their game with Markham in Five South East to
their Maes McLaren home after the visitors had double booked their pitch. They won 50-13, scoring eight tries, to move to within three points of St
Josephs at the top with a game in hand still to play.
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