Cardiff's bid to become the first side to retain the Welsh-Scottish Premier Division title remained on course after this success over Pontypridd at Sardis Road.

In a tough clash that did little to promote Welsh rugby, Cardiff's trump card was outside half Neil Jenkins who buried his former club with six penalties, two dropped goals and a conversion in a points tally of 23 points.

In a fiercely contested first half Pontypridd started with a bang, taking the lead after two minutes with a 22-metre Lee Jarvis penalty.

They kept on the attack and after pressure wing Lenny Woodard was halted within inches of the try line.

Cardiff put up some good defence and survived the intense pressure, but they could make little headway against an inspired and determined Ponty.

In the 25th minute Cardiff drew level with a 22-metre penalty from Neil Jenkins after Ponty were penalised in a ruck.

Jenkins' accurate boot soon edged Cardiff ahead with another goal. Jarvis had a chance to level matters near the interval once more but his 40-metre kick faded just wide.

Shortly after the re-start, Jarvis kicked a penalty to equal affairs but within two minutes Jenkins put his side ahead with another kick and then increased his side's lead with his fourth penalty.

In the 55th minute Pontypridd were reduced to 14 men when lock Brent Cockbain was sin-binned for dangerous play.

In the last quarter a flare-up developed from a line out that saw Ponty's Michael Owen and Cardiff's Jonathan Humphreys given yellow cards.

With order restored, Jenkins kicked his fifth penalty to extend Cardiff's lead.

In the closing stages wing Craig Morgan scored a length-of-the-field try for Cardiff.

It was converted by Jenkins, who completed the scoring with his sixth penalty in injury time.

Scorers - Pontypridd: Pens: L Jarvis 2

Cardiff: Try: C Morgan. Con: N Jenkins. Pens: Jenkins 6. Drop Goal: Jenkins

Teams

Pontypridd: B Davey, L Woodard, S Parker, J Bryant, R Johnston, L Jarvis, P John (capt), N Ta'u, F Vunipola, S Cronk, R Sidoli, B Cockbain, D McIntosh, R Field, M Owen
Replacements: C Williams, C Sweeney, R Neville, P Graham, J Evans, G Rowlands, R Parks

Cardiff: G Thomas, N Walne, J Robinson, P Muller, C Morgan, N Jenkins, R Howley (capt), G Powell, J Humphreys, S John, J Tait, M Voyle, D Baugh, G Kacala, O Williams
Replacements: A Lewis, I Jones, S Moore, E Lewis, R Powell, M Rayer, P Jones

Referee: Rob Dickson (Scotland)

Att: 7,500