PONTYPRIDD turned on the power in the second half as they overturned a 16-3 deficit to win with a bonus against a plucky Bedwas in the Principality Premiership, writes Ian Lovell.

Both sides struggled for fluency early on at Bridge Field but it was Bedwas who took the lead courtesy of two Joseph Scrivens penalties before Ceri Sweeney kicked a penalty after 23 minutes to narrow the gap.

Bedwas responded immediately as Scrivens added a third penalty and then two minutes later winger Jordan Rees made a break from halfway and brushed off tacklers for a fine converted try.

The hosts held that 16-3 lead at half-time despite losing winger Dai Evans to the sin bin for killing the ball.

It didn’t take long for Ponty to reduce the deficit after the break as Sweeney notched a penalty after 43 minutes. This was followed up almost immediately as a quick break saw Alex Knott, moved from midfield to the wing, find just enough space to squeeze in a for a try in the corner.

Bedwas bought on fresh legs but again were architects of their own downfall as Mike Callow was yellow-carded after 50 minutes.

Ponty immediately took advantage with winger Alex Webber crossing for a try improved by Sweeney’s conversion.

The visitors’ tails were up and Bedwas could find no answer as Knott ran his second try just short of the hour and two minutes later scrum half Huw Rees scored the bonus point winning try this time converted by Sweeney.

Bedwas didn’t throw in the towel and James Thomas, back with the club after his exploits earned a Dragons contract, squeezed in for a try that was awarded by a touch judge after he was initially deemed by the referee to have been held up.

With ten minutes left to play Joe Scrivens’ conversion looked like earning Bedwas a losing bonus point.

Bedwas continued to battle but a third yellow card, this time for Nathan Hudd after 76 minutes, stifled what chance they had to hold on for that precious losing bonus point.

With the clock ticking down it looked as though Bedwas had earned a deserved point but Sweeney’s last kick of the game penalty snatched that away from them to the disappointment of the home faithful who felt their team’s efforts deserved something from the game.

On Saturday Bedwas face another stern test with a trip to the Wern to face champions Merthyr.