Swansea's Shaun Payne (L) jumps against Brett Davey

A quick tap penalty by scrum-half Sililo Martens caught Pontypridd offside, giving Gavin Henson - resuming at fly-half for Swansea with Arwel Thomas back on the bench - the chance to kick an early penalty for the All Whites.

Pontypridd opted to go for a five-metre lineout from their first scoring opportunity, but some staunch defence by the visitors turned the ball over.

Home skipper Dale McIntosh opted for the safer option of Brett Davey's boot next time and the fullback levelled the scores with a penalty.

An early sign of ill-feeling between the two sides arrived soon after, as Swansea prop Andrew Le Chevalier and Ponty No 9 Paul John engaged in some rough stuff on the floor.

With 14 minutes gone Wells stunned the Sardis Road crowd when the prop barrelled his way over after Martens had switched play to the blindside.

Although Henson missed the conversion, the young fly-half struck a penalty before the break, while Davey could only make one of his three attempts at the posts for Pontypridd.

The period before half-time was marred by further fighting, with referee Lewis handing out several lectures but keeping the yellow card in his pocket.

The second period started with both teams trying to break the grip being exerted by both defences.

Pontypridd's Brett Davey was off-target

Swansea's scrum had creaked alarmingly under pressure from Pontypridd props Duncan Bell and Gethin Jenkins, but in the loose the visitors were in charge, slowing down Ponty ball and smothering the danger when the ball was spun wide.

Swansea debutant Simon Frost impressed in defence at centre, even catching Ponty flyer Richard Johnstone from behind when the wing looked to have finally got free.

Beside Frost, fellow South African Shaun Payne was even more impressive, his contribution earning the man of the match award.

Davey was not having the best night with the boot and missed another chance to shorten Swansea's lead midway through the second half.

That was the fullback's last chance as he was replaced by Craig Williams soon after, with Swansea countering by bringing on Arwel Thomas for Frost.

The home side had some encouragement when Swansea were reduced to 14 men after flanker Geraint Lewis was sin-binned for a high tackle in the 60th minute.

Pontypridd hammered away at the Swansea defence but rarely looked like scoring until Sonny Parker finally broke the line of defenders as full time beckoned.

But the centre held onto the ball when perhaps he should have looked for his wing, allowing the impressive Gareth Swales at fullback for Swansea to nail his man and snuff out the danger.

Pontypridd: Pens: Davey 2.

Swansea: Try: Wells. Pens: Henson 2.

Att: 4,000

Pontypridd: Brett Davey; Gareth Wyatt, Sonny Parker, Jason Lewis, Richard Johnston; Ceri Sweeney, Paul John; Gethin Jenkins, Feao Vunipola, Duncan Bell, Nick Kelly, Brent Cockbain, Dale McIntosh (capt), Richard Parks, Michael Owen.
Replacements: Alex Lawson; Craig Williams; Gareth Baber; Mefin Davies; Shalom Senara; Jonathan Griffiths; Richard Field.

Swansea: Gareth Swales; Richard Rees, Simon Frost, Shaun Payne, Matthew Robinson; Gavin Henson, Sililo Martens; Andrew Le Chevalier, Chris Wells, Ben Evans, Lee Jones, Andy Moore, Geraint Lewis, Dean Thomas, Hywel Jenkins.
Replacements: Rhodri Jones, Arwel Thomas, Matthew Brayley, Johnny Marsters, James Griffiths, Barry Davies, Tyrone Maullin.

Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland).