Pontypridd captain Cally James was a very relieved man after his side just edged out newly promoted Bedwas 23-21 at Sardis Road.
And the back row man was quick to admit his side have work to do despite making it two wins from two in the Admiral Premiership. The Valley Commandos were made to earn their four points by a spirited Bedwas outfit, who led 14-10 at the break.
A second half try from flanker Cai James and eight points from the boot of Logan Jones after the re-start won it for the hosts, and they held on despite replacement scrum-half Lewis Stevens pulling back a late converted try for ‘Wass.
Tight head prop Liam Tobias scored for Ponty in the first half, while Jones finished with two conversions and three penalty goals. Hooker Arwel Hughes and wing Milo Crompton were the Bedwas try scorers in the first half. All three of their scores were converted by Jac Crompton.
“Bedwas fought really hard in the last 15-20 minutes to try and claw something back and take the ‘W’ off us but, fair play to the boys, we managed to stick in there and grind out the win. I’m relieved,” said James.
“We probably struggled a little bit at lineout time, lost quite a lot of ball, and we’ve got to learn to try and manage that somehow – and try and win ball when our backs are against the wall.
“I felt we steadied up a little bit towards the end, but we’ve still got work to do – on the set piece especially.”
Ponty have nine points from their two matches played, one behind both Narberth and Beddau – who have both taken maximum points so far.
Narberth made it back-to-back bonus-point wins as they ran in five tries in a 33-10 win at Llanelli Wanderers. Full back Ashley Sutton and scrum half Lewys Gibby were both at the double with Harrison Burke the other Otters try scorers.
Jonathan Rogers converted four of the Otters’ five tries. Owain Davies got the Wanderers try, converted by Nick Gale, who also addeda penalty.
Beddau also have 10 points after seeing off Llangennech 22-17. Corrie Tarrant, Sam Gibson, Joe Page and Sam Bixby grabbed the tries for the Green & Golds. Ollie Wilde added one conversion.
The Llan tries were scored by Kalum Evans and Callum Jenkins. Osian Evans converted both and kicked a penalty.
Reigning champions Merthyr, who had a bye week in round one, got their title defence off to a winning start by winning 29-8 at the other newly promoted side, Bonymaen.
Flanker Jack Perkins bagged a brace, with Amosa Nove, Ryan Hughes and a penalty try also on the scoresheet for the Ironmen. Jacob Lloyd kicked one conversion. Nathan Brooks replied with a try for the home side, with Lawrence Thomas chipping in with a penalty.
Cross Keys overturned a 19-10 half time deficit to defeat Neath 33-27 at Pandy Park. There were two tries for wing Joel Garcia and one each for Chris Johnsey, Tom Sullivan and Ioan Duggan. Eamonn Rees added seven points from the tee.
Sion Jones scored twice for Neath, who also had Morgan Meaclem, and a penalty try on the scoresheet. Paul Short kicked their other five points.
Wing Cian Jones, scrum half Iestyn Martin-Lloyd, hooker Stuart Vokes, flanker Josh Hart and No 8 Garin Price all scored for Newbridge in a 27-15 win at Ystrad Rhondda. Reegan Davies converted Hart’s try.
Rhys Dendle and Kian Symes were the Ystrad Rhondda try scorers, with Jacob Symes adding five points from the tee.