Pontypridd held off Connacht's determined challenge in a disappointing second leg at Sardis Road to make the last four for the second successive season.

The Welsh club brought a five point advantage from the first leg in Ireland, and they never looked in serious danger of relinquishing that lead.

Driving rain and a muddy pitch ruled out the possibility of running rugby, so it was left the boot of both fly-halves to decide the outcome.

Match details

Pontypridd (9) 12 Pens: Jenkins (4) Connacht (3) 9 Pens: Elwood (3) Att: 6,000

And with world record points scorer Neil Jenkins in their side, Ponty had no worries in that department.

Jenkins kicked four penalties, three of which came in the second half, to pass the 50-point mark in this year's competition.

Connacht were always within touching distance thanks Eric Elwood's accurate kicks at goal, but the Irish province never seriously threatened to score the crucial tries.

Pontypridd winger Emyr Lewis came closest to scoring a touchdown, but the typical wholehearted defence meant he was held some way short.

Pontypridd: B Davey; G Wyatt, S James, C Sweeney, E Lewis; N Jenkins, P John; G Jenkins, M Davies (capt), D Bell, B Cockbain, R Sidoli, R Parks, G Lewis, W O'Connor.
Reps: M Rees, S Cronk, M Owen, N Kelly, G Baber, J Lewis, M Nuthall.

Connacht: M McHugh; G Duffy, D Yapp, S Moore (capt), W Munn; E Elwood, E Reddan; R MCormack, J Flannery, P Bracken, D Browne, R Frost, C Rigney, J O'Sullivan, J O'Connor.
Reps: D McFarland, M Uijs, M Swift, E Peters, C Keane, J Norton, T Robinson.

Ref: Chris White (England).