Bonus-point joy propels Vale into top four
Ebbw Vale……………32 Pontypridd………….. 10
JASON Strange's side jumped back into the top four as they pushed Aberavon out of the playoff places with a much- -needed bonus-point win.
The visitors got off to a flying start with a bit of magic from Fijian international Niko Matawalu paving the way for Tom Devine to open the scoring. Joe Scrivens added the extras and then induced flanker Andrew Mann into a high tackle that earned a yellow card.
A Kieran Meek penalty got the Steelmen off the mark and then he converted a try from scrumhalf Jonathan Evans after Ethan Phillips was hauled down short. Meek and Scrivens swapped penalties to give Ebbw a 13-10 interval lead.
The second half was a different story as Ponty failed to add to their score and the home side chased down the bonus point. Home wing Amir Jiwa Walji picked up a yellow card for a high shot. But Meek kicked across field for Carrick McDonough, who fed flanker Gethin Williams for the try. Meek added the touchline conversion. Hooker Joe Franchi scored from a driving line-out and then, with Ponty skipper Kris Parker in the sin-bin, it was left to McDonough to run on to a neat kick through by Evan Lloyd to bag the all-important fourth try.
Star man
Kieran Meek -Ebbw Vale
