Bargoed put on a stunning first half performance to lead the Principality Premiership frontrunners by 13 points to 8 in the SWALEC Cup.
But unbeaten Pontypridd showed their class with some clinical finishing, capitalising on two Bargoed yellow cards to run in five second half tries and win 41-13.
Bargoed showed why the are unbeaten in the SWALEC Championship and took the game to Ponty from the start. The home side were rattled and three penalties in the first ten minutes demonstrated how much pressure the Bargoed pack exerted.
However, the difficult conditions were unhelpful to the kickers and Bargoed’s Josh Prosser could only convert one of the three.
Bargoed were 0-3 up for much of the first quarter until Pontypridd levelled it with a Lewis Williams penalty on 21 minutes.
The Ponty home support looked on nervously as the Blues pack gained the upper hand in both set piece and at the breakdown and Bargoed’s midfield defence looked solid.
Then with 27 minutes on the clock Lewis Protheroe scythed through the Pontypridd cover just over the half way, made thirty metres and drew two tacklers before putting lock Geraint Edmonds over in the corner. Prosser’s conversion drifted across the front of the posts but Bargoed were in front by 3-8.
The huge contingent of Bargoed supporters were ecstatic but more was to come. Bargoed centre Philip Price burst through the Ponty midfield with lock Darren Lynch in support. It looked like Lynch might reach the line but he was hauled down just short.
Bargoed looked to recycle quickly but Pontypridd full back Geraint Walsh infringed in a scoring position and referee Sean Brickell flashed the yellow card.
Prosser kicked to touch rather than take the points and a clean catch and drive saw flanker Steffan Jouxson power over from the back of the driving maul. Prosser’s conversion missed the mark but Bargoed were coasting towards half-time 3-13 up.
However, Ponty are not unbeaten and top of the Premiership for nothing and they hit back with a well worked Geraint Walsh try just before half-time. Williams could not add the extras and Bargoed led 8-13 at the break.
Pontypridd looked a different side from the start of the second half and Walsh scored a second on 51 minutes which Williams converted to give them the lead for the first time in the match.
Bargoed were being stretched and a difficult second half got harder when a yellow card was shown to lock Geraint Edmonds.
The penalty was kicked into touch on the Bargoed five metre line and a catch and drive saw number eight Dan Godfrey driven over. Williams couldn’t convert but Ponty’s lead was extended to 20-13.
Still Bargoed held out and were within a score with just ten minutes left before another yellow card, this time to scrum half James Pizey proved fatal.
A quick tap and go from a penalty under the posts saw Pontypridd’s Dale Stuckey cross the line and an easy conversion made it 27-13.
Moments later a Bargoed knock on saw referee Bickell play advantage and Ponty took the advantage to the full running in from wide for Stuckey’s second before doing the same again with just a minute left. Both tries were converted and the home side ran out winners by 41-13.
Bargoed’s Chairman Neil Carter said: “We put in a fantastic first-half and we knew that we had Ponty rattled. However, they showed their class in the second-half and capitalised on our two yellow cards and mistakes to run in five tries in pretty clinical fashion.
“I thought our players did the club proud, as did the massive travelling support. We’re disappointed with the result but I’d like to thank the Pontypridd club and committee for a great welcome and superb hospitality.”
superb display by bargoed. Their supporters should be proud.