EBBW Vale got their Premiership Cup campaign off to a flying start by stunning Merthyr at the Wern but Newport had to settle for a consolation bonus at Pontypridd.

The Steelmen edged out the Ironmen 26-24 in a tight contest thanks to a last-gasp penalty by fly-half Lewis K Williams.

Ebbw led 9-3 approaching the break before getting their first try of the season through scrum-half Matthew Flanagan.

Merthyr hit the front 17-16 thanks to tries by Ben Jones and Gareth Thompson, who added the extras.

It swung back to Ebbw on the hour with a penalty try for a deliberate knock on that also led to Phil Rees being sin-binned.

Merthyr edged back in front through Rhys Williams' try and Thompson's conversion but the visitors had the final say at the death.

It was also a tight contest at Sardis Road where it was a battle of the boot between Newport captain and fly-half Matt O'Brien and Ben Burnell in the first half.

The teams were level at the break but Ponty were first over the line when Dale Stuckey scored after 48 minutes.

Burnell converted and scored a penalty with five minutes left to make it 19-9.

Newport's young hooker Brodie Coghlan went over from a driving lineout late on with Will Reed adding the extras to make it 19-17.

However, the Black and Ambers had to be content with a losing bonus and now build towards a home clash with Cardiff, who hammered RGC 60-5 in the capital.

The Steelmen host Ponty with Merthyr entertaining the north Walians.

- Bargoed maintained their perfect record in the Championship Cup by edging out Bedwas 24-22 at Bridge Field.