Pontypridd took all three points from Narberth on Saturday, grinding out a 38-34 victory in a Premiership fixture that lived up to its billing. The visitors finished stronger after a competitive first half, and their away form has been nothing short of relentless. They've won every road game this season, and this result extends that run to five straight.
And here's the thing — I called this one before kickoff. Sixty-seven per cent confidence for the away side, and it panned out. Not that you could've guessed from the opening exchanges, where Narberth matched Pontypridd stride for stride and refused to be pushed back.
The home side came out with intent, working their short corners and pinning the visitors back early. They held their own in the set pieces, and it wasn't until the middle period that Pontypridd began to pull away. The visitors' backline started finding gaps, and Narberth's defence looked stretched.
To be fair, Narberth never went away. They clawed back into the contest with a series of drives and kept the score respectable. But Pontypridd's consistency in the final quarter told — they'd won the previous five away matches, and this one followed the pattern. The academy graduates marked their first starts with a goal, though in rugby terms, it was the forwards who did the heavy lifting.
By then, the result was clear. Pontypridd extended their winning streak, while Narberth's run of four consecutive victories came to an abrupt halt. The hosts had looked strong at home, but the visitors proved they can raise the tempo when they need to. Three points either way, but Pontypridd's momentum is something to watch.
