Pontypridd produced a typical battling display to rattle Swansea and finish with a convincing victory.

The home side outscored the visitors by three tries to one, and despite an excellent kicking display from Arwel Thomas Swansea never looked like taking control.

Inspired by a vociferous crowd and the knowledge that everyone had written off the valleys team once again, Ponty drove into Swansea with a passion.

They were in the face of the All Whites from the start, inspired by some bone-rattling tackle from Dale McIntosh and centres Sonny Parker and Jonathan Bryant.

Parker and Bryant stopped Welsh internationals Scott Gibbs and Mark Taylor from making inroads up the middle of the field and ensured the home side played on the front foot.

Indeed, Taylor was forced from the field at half time with a stomach bug and was replaced by the versatile David Weatherley.

Davey try

Ponty took the lead in the 11th minute when a clever cross-field kick from Jarvis was gathered by full back Brett Davey who crossed under the posts for a converted try.

Swansea had managed two Thomas penalties when a powerful surge from Colin Charvis gave the visitors space in midfield.

Slick handling from Mark Taylor freed ex-Ponty full back Kevin Morgan for a try in the corner.

Turning point

The turning point came in first-half injury time, though.

A smart reverse pass from Ponty scrum-half Paul John put big Brett Cockbain, the Australian lock signed in the summer, into space, and he barged through Kevin Morgan for a converted try.

Leading 17-13 at the break, Ponty never looked back.

Just 30 seconds into the second half a speculative high kick was gathered by left wing Richard Johnston, a summer signing from Neath.

He powered over for Ponty's third and final try, and with Jarvis' boot punishing Swansea's indiscretions there was no way back for the visitors.

The Sardis Road faithful will now look forward to another season of giant-killing at the House of Pain.

Swansea's long-suffering supporters will hope that their erratic team can find form earlier in the season than last year.

Scorers - Pontypridd: Tries: B Davey, B Cockbain, R Johnston; Cons: L Jarvis (3); Pens: Jarvis (3); DG: Jarvis

Swansea: Tries: K Morgan; Con: A Thomas; Pens: Thomas (5)

Pontypridd

Brett Davey, Lennie Woodard, Sonny Parker, Jon Bryant, Richard Johnson, Lee Jarvis, Paul John (capt) , Christian Loader, Feao Vunipola, Sven Cronk, Robert Sidoli, Brent Cockbain, Dale McIntosh, Richard Parks, Michael Owen. Replacements: Richard Neville, Ceri Sweeney, Jason Lewis, Jonathan Evans, Paul Graham, Gareth Rowlands, Mathew Lloyd

Swansea

K Morgan, S Payne, M Taylor, S Gibbs (capt), M Robinson, A Thomas, Rhodri Jones, D Morris, G Jenkins, C Anthony, T Maullin, A Moore, P Moriarty, G Lewis, C Charvis. Replacements: D Weatherley, C Rees, G Henson, C Wells, B Evans, J Griffiths, D Thomas

Referee: D Davies