Pontypridd pulled off a remarkable second half comeback after trailing by 14 points at half-time to beat Merthyr 41-26 at Sardis Road to keep alive their Admiral Premiership title hopes.
Defeat in their penultimate match would have put the title out of reach for Ponty and, although defending champions Merthyr are still firm favourites to retain the title with a game in hand, the result means it isn’t over yet.
First half tries from hooker Ryan Hughes, scrum-half Elis Horgan and flanker Jack Perkins, all converted by Ben Jones, had put the visitors in charge at 21-7. But second half scores from wing Joe Davies, centre Tom Morgan, No 8 Ioan Davies and scrum-half Joel Raikes secured a bonus-point win for Ponty.
Lock Mitch Barnard charged over in the first half, while outside half Logan Jones finished with 16 points from the tee. Perkins scored again for Merthyr in the closing stages to secure what could be a crucial bonus point.
The Ironmen, with two to play, are top with 98 points – the same tally as Beddau, who only have one fixture left. Ponty sit third on 96.
Victory for Merthyr at Bargoed on Saturday would end Ponty’s title hopes – even if the Valley Commandos collect maximum points from their home fixture with already relegated Brecon.
Beddau, who can finish with a maximum of 103 points, host Llangennech in their final match. Merthyr then wrap up their campaign at Cross Keys on 16 May. At the other end of the table, it’s now one from two to go down with Brecon.
Cardiff Met picked up a vital 29-14 bonus-point win in their final game at Llanelli Wanderers to move out of the relegation zone.
Skipper and centre Gus Patterson, hooker Jamie Longyear, full-back Aaron Molnar, prop Will Pearce and wing Toby Lock scored the Met tries. Ross McKay converted two of them. However, Met will still be relegated if Narberth pick up two points from their remaining two games.
Narberth dropped into the bottom two after going down 42-35 at Newbridge. Wing Cian Jones (2), Stuart Vokes, Garin Price, Harry Jarvis and Josh Hart were the Newbridge scorers, all converted by Sam Watkins.
Hedd Nicholas, George Rossiter, Tom Powell, Jake Bowen and Ashley Sutton went over for Narberth. Jonathan Rogers added the extras, and The Otters will now bid to get the points they need on Saturday when they head to Llanelli Wanderers.
Bargoed were 42-26 victors at Llangennech helped by tries from Noah Morgan, Codi Purnell, Lewis Bates, Tom Rice and Dylan Williams.
Cross Keys secured their Premiership status last Wednesday with a dramatic 34-33 win over Ystrad Rhondda, secured by wing Tom Sullivan’s last play try and Eamonn Rees’ resulting conversion.
It was one of two tries for Sullivan, with Ryan Jones, Callum Donoghue-Proud and Alfy Johnson also going over. Rees kicked two other conversions and a penalty. Two points secured by Ystrad means they are also now safe.
Back rower Ben Williams bagged a brace while Macauley Rowley, Cole Morgan and Liam Wiggins also scored. Lewis Williams added four conversions.