KONICA MINOLTA CUP Neath: (13) 25: Tries: Llewellyn, P Jones, Hook. Cons: Hook 2. Pens: Hook 2. Pontypridd: (11) 26: Tries: Nuthall, Lockyer, Roberts. Cons: Flanagan. Pens: Flanagan 2. DG: Flanagan. Att: 9,525

Moments earlier the fly-half had been the villain of the piece, when his pass was intercepted by Neath rival James Hook for what seemed a winning try.

But Flanagan capped a fine Ponty show that saw tries from Matthew Nuthall, Dafydd Lockyer and Scott Roberts.

League champions Neath matched Ponty try-for-try, with Andrew Llewellyn and Paul Jones adding to Hook's score.

After Hook and Wales Under-21 rival Flanagan had exchanged penalties, Hook was sin-binned for a professional foul as the Neath fly-half stopped a quick tap penalty.

Ponty made the numbers game tell as wing Nuthall produced a fine solo run down the left to jink into the corner.

But once Neath were back to full strength flanker Llewellyn barged over from close range, with Hook adding the conversion.

Flanagan's second penalty put Ponty back in the lead, but Hook again replied with a three-pointer to give Neath a 13-11 lead at the break.

Pontypridd set out to run Neath off their feet in the second half and Flanagan's lofted pass sent centre Lockyer in from 40 yards for a converted try.

Then wing Roberts scorched over in the right corner for a 23-13 lead for the men from Sardis Road.

Neath went back to basics and got a foothold in the game thanks to some good-old forward pressure.

That earned more possession, territory and eventually a try for veteran replacement prop Paul Jones.

Hook missed the conversion but then produced what seemed to be the deciding moment of the match.

The fly-half, who will play full-time for the Ospreys next season, read Flanagan's lofted pass and plucked it out of the air to romp away for an interception try to tie the score.

A conversion from under the posts is usually regulation, but there was plenty of pressure on Hook as he gave Neath a two-point lead with the kick.

But there was one more twist to come, as Flanagan made amends with a long drop-goal five minutes into injury time to snatch victory.

Neath: G Morris; R Johnston, A Bevan, W Mitchell, S Thomas; J Hook, P Horgan; C Griffiths, E Shervington, C Mitchell, S Martin (capt), M Morgan, A Llewellyn, D McShane, J McPhail.
Replacements: M Roberts, Clapham, Spratt, Price, B Davies, Jenkins, P Jones.

Pontypridd: Morgan Stoddart; Chris Clayton, Tom Riley, Dafydd Lockyer, Matthew Nuthall; Dai Flanagan, Gareth Jones; Stuart Williams, Ben Phillips, Scott Roberts, Chris Dicomidis, Grant Harrington, Lee Evans, Rhys Shellard, Nathan Strong (capt).
Replacements: Tom Dickens, Paul Matthews, Jason Pocock, Ryan Harford, Leighton Davies, Adam Powell, Wayne O'Connor.

Ref: Nigel Owens (WRU).