EBBW Vale’s dreams of avenging 2013’s agonising 23-22 Swalec Cup quarter-final defeat to Pontypridd and knocking the holders out of the tournament were shattered at Eugene Cross Park.

In an eagerly anticipated showdown, it was the visitors, aiming for a remarkable treble double, who deservedly won – although the gutsy Steelmen really made them earn their victory.

The hosts’ bid to end the Sardis Road side’s dominance of this competition started well after they raced into a 10-0 lead after just over quarter of an hour.

But Ponty showed their quality and resilience to score 22 unanswered points as they dominated large tracts of the game after Vale had promised so much in the opening quarter.

Ebbw were severely hampered by the loss of four first choice forwards in Ashley Sweet, Ronny Kynes, Cameron Regan and Spencer Gibson through injury.

And it was noticeable how Ponty grew into the game while Vale did appear to run out of steam towards the end.

The hosts made a flying start and took the lead within the first two minutes when centre Adam Jones slotted a penalty after his side surged into the Ponty half from the kick-off.

With their excellent set piece, Vale had Ponty on toast at the scrum in the early stages and it was from the set piece the first try came after 16 minutes.

The ball bobbled into the hands of wing Owen Williams from a kick ahead and he held on to score in the corner.

Jones’ wonderful touchline conversion gave his side a 10-0 advantage after a dream start.

But Ponty rolled up their sleeves and the backs created a number of excellent try-scoring opportunities before they finally capitalised when number eight Jake Thomas crashed over from a driving lineout in the 28th minute with Simon Humberstone adding the extras.

The pendulum had swung the visitors’ way but Vale ended the first half on the attack as the interval came with them just shading things at 10-7.

Heavy snow began to fall at Eugene Cross Park and Humberstone continued his side’s avalanche of points when he soon drew them level with a penalty in front of the posts as they put the home side under great pressure.

They nearly took the lead seconds later when centre and captain Dafydd Lockyer appeared to have won foot race straight from the restart only for referee Ian Davies to rule out a try.

Ponty wing Dale Stuckey broke the Steelmen’s resistance when he crossed in the corner for their second converted try as his side began to boss the game and take a 17-10 lead in the 48th minute.

Jones missed a kickable shot at goal for Vale ten minutes later as Ponty conceded a penalty from a scrum.

The game was held up for sometime in the 68th minute after Vale back row player Gareth Rusby Davies received a nasty head injury.

Ponty were in complete control and second row Dan Godfrey put the game beyond doubt in the dying minutes when he crossed for the unconverted try his side richly deserved.

The hosts never gave up and went in search of a consolation try that never came but they can be proud of giving the impressive Ponty a real run for their money.

Vale woes were compounded with the news that hooker Mathew Williams has sustained a calf injury.

Ebbw Vale: Dan Haymond, Wes Cunliffe (Tom James 65), Adam Jones, Carl Meyer, Owen Williams; Iain Smerdon (Dai Langdon 69), Rhys Downes (David Jones 77), Ross Jones (John Lavender 54), Mathew Williams (Rhys Francis 15), Rob Sevenoaks (Gethin Robinson 54), Damien Hudd (capt), Josh Jacas; Rhys Clarke, Gareth Rusby Davies (Kier Hughes 69), Lewis Young.

Replacement: Jordan Howells Ebbw Vale scorers: Try – Owen Williams (16), Conversion – Jones (16), Penalty – Jones (2) Pontypridd: Aled Summerhill (Matthew Nuthall 77), Lewis I Williams, Gavin Dacey, Dafydd Lockyer (capt), Dale Stuckey (Chris Clayton 69), Simon Humberstone (Jarrod Evans 77), Lloyd Williams (Joel Raikes 77), Chris Phillips (James Howe 65), Huw Dowden, Keiron Jenkins (Pat Palmer 41), Dan Godfrey, Luke Crocker (Craig Locke 68), Wayne O'Connor, Rhys Shellard, Jake Thomas.

Replacement: Aled Morris Pontypridd scorers: Tries – Thomas (28), Stuckey (49), Dan Godfrey (77), Conversions – Humberstone (28) (49), Penalty – Humberstone (43) Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)