Tim Stimpson scored Leicester's try

Jarvis, among the Heineken Cup's most prolific scorers, missed only one shot from seven attempts.

Every kick was like a dagger into Leicester's heart, but the Tigers could have few complaints after repeatedly falling foul of Scottish referee John Hogg.

Leicester's away form in Europe has proved suspect for the past few seasons, and this was another case of letting a game slip that they should have put out of sight by half-time.

Pontypridd, a superbly drilled team under the direction of coach Richie Collins, did not require a second chance as Leicester proved incapable of securing victory.

The dramatic closing stages were a far cry from the opening flurries when Leicester laid siege to Pontypridd's 22.

After Jarvis and Stimpson had exchanged early penalties, the Tigers looked to have scored the opening try.

Full-back Geordan Murphy gathered centre Pat Howard's clever kick and slid over the Pontypridd line, but referee Hogg disallowed it.

Pontypridd's stay of execution was a brief one though, and slick midfield passing from Leicester's next attack saw Stimpson cross wide out.

Misery

Jarvis: controlled the match

Pontypridd were well and truly on the back foot, but once they broke out of their own half, Jarvis slotted two further penalties for a narrow lead before Stimpson put the Tigers ahead at the break.

The second period will go down as one of total misery for the visitors.

The regular sight of Leicester captain Martin Johnson querying Hogg's decisions underlined just how seriously the visitors' challenge had come off the rails.

Roared on by a 7000-strong crowd, Pontypridd never lost momentum on the back of Jarvis' magnificent goal kicking.

He wasn't the only local hero though, flanker Dale McIntosh and young number eight Michael Owen producing wonderfully committed performances.

Scorers - Pontypridd: Pens: Jarvis 6

Scorers - Leicester: Tries: Stimpson. Pens: Stimpson 2

Att: 5,000

Teams

Pontypridd: B Davey, R Johnson, S Parker, J Bryant, J Colderley, L Jarvis, P John (capt), C Loader, F Vunipola, S Cronk, R Sidoli, B Cockbain, D McIntosh, R Parks, M Owen
Replacements: C Williams, J Lewis, R Neville, P Graham, J Evans, W James, M Lloyd

Leicester: Stimpson, Murphy, Lloyd, Howard, Stanley, Goode, Hamilton, Rowntree, West, Garforth, M. Johnson, Kay, Moody, Back, Corry
Replacements: Jelley, Smith, Nebbett, Balding, Cockerill, Short

Referee: J Hogg (SRFU)