EBBW VALE slipped to second in the Principality Premiership after losing a thriller against Pontypridd at Sardis Road – a result that also ended their 100 per cent start to the season, writes Ian Golden.

Pontypridd’s win means they are just three points behind Ebbw in the table, while Merthyr regain top spot.

Both teams squandered early chances and it looked like the only way anyone was going to break the deadlock was to kick for goal.

Ben Jones had a go in the 24th minute as he aimed hopefully from near to the half-way line, but the ball drifted wide of the sticks.

Ebbw had a better chance to score. Their penalty on 27 minutes was inside Pontypridd’s half and Rhys Jones had no problems in slotting that one home.

The game suddenly sprung into life. Pontypridd chose to boot their next kickable penalty to touch and they were rewarded with a penalty try.

As half time drew near, Ebbw hit back after Rhys Jones kicking a second penalty from an identical position, to reduce the gap to a point.

There was still time for Pontypridd to register their second try as Gareth Smith mauled his way over the line. Ben Jones sliced the conversion wide but made up for it by kicking a long-range penalty moments later.

However, Ebbw addressed the balance on the whistle as Carl Meyer kicked a long-range penalty putting the score at 15-9 to Pontypridd at the break.

Ebbw regained the advantage early in the second half when Stefan Thomas stretched out for their first try of the game which Rhys Jones improved.

It was now a battle of the Joneses for valuable league points as the kickers continued to reign supreme. Two Ben Jones penalty kicks, both from in front of the sticks, gave Pontypridd a 21-16 lead.

A Rhys Jones three-pointer for Ebbw on 68 minutes reduced the deficit to two points but Ben Jones’ successful kick for Pontypridd five minutes after that put the score at 24-19.

As the game went into the tense final minute, Pontypridd kept possession inside Ebbw’s half and ran the clock down, but the visitors did go home with a losing bonus point that could prove valuable at the end of the season.

Pontypridd: D Stuckey; A Webber, A Knott, D Lockyer, C Lewis; B Jones, J Hill; I George (H Owen 64), J Page (G Clarke 66), G Smith (L Leddington 66); S Smallman (S Moore 49), C Dicomidis, Rhodri Jones, R Shellard (M Sieniawski 62), S Jenkins

Scorers – Tries: Penalty try, G Smith; Pens: B Jones (4)

Ebbw Vale: D Haymond; S Thomas (P King 65), C Meyer (J Botica 60), D Franchi, T Fricker; R Jones, D Jones (S Ireland 55); J Harries (Rhys Jones 60), R Francis (Ross Jones 60), R Sevenoaks (C Hicks 68); K Parker, L Randall, R Clarke (C Regan 49), R Kynes (O Young 70), L Young.

Scorers – Try: S Thomas; Con: R Jones; Pens: R Jones (3), C Meyer

Ebbw star man: Rhys Jones