Paul John is put under pressure by Josh Taumalolo

Johnston almost claimed a second, but seemed to be impeded as he went to catch the ball. But Davey gained some reward with an angled penalty to put Ponty 13-3 up.

Bridgend's new faces were struggling to gel, but they raised their game enough for Rees to close the gap with a 27th minute penalty.

The pressure was too much for Ponty, and Rees put over another kick five minutes later.

But an offence by Jamie Ringer then gave Davey the chance to slot his third penalty before Rees fired one back in reply after Paul John had played the ball on the ground.

Just as Ponty looked to have reached half-time ahead, Bridgend bounced back to snatch the lead.

A sustained passage of play paid off as the visitors' defence ran out of numbers and Daniel Jones sped over for Rees to convert.

HT: Bridgend 19-16 Pontypridd

Ponty began the half with a bang as Sonny Parker and Johnston created a chance for Jason Lewis, but his touchdown was ruled out by an offside decision.

But they weren't to be denied and, from a five-yard scrum, the visitors put on a push and hooker Mefin Davies drove over for a try on his debut.

Adrian Durston then thought he had put Bridgend back in front, but he was brought back for crossing.

Brett Davey hit the target for Ponty

It was a brief period of Bridgend pressure and Davey put Ponty further ahead on the hour with a 45-metre penalty.

But the full-back missed an easier chance soon after to put his side two scores clear.

The match became a catalogue of errors as the ball became slippery in the late evening, but Ponty kept up the pressure and Gareth Wyatt slotted over a neat drop goal to give his side a 27-19 lead.

Bridgend frantically tries to rescue matters, but despite James almost breaking through, Ponty held on for a deserved victory.

Ponty captain Dale McIntosh said his side were used to getting written off.

"We always seem to have a black line written through our names, but we are always there or thereabouts.

"The side is an honest side and we need consistency now, and we'll be looking for that against Ebbw Vale next week."

Bridgend: Try: D Jones. Con: C Rees. Pens: C Rees (4).

Pontypridd: Tries: R Johnston, M Davies. Con: B Davey. Pens: B Davey (4). DG: G Wyatt.