PONTYPOOL recorded another outstanding National Cup victory as they saw off Principality Premiership side Carmarthen Quins 23-8 to reach the quarter-finals, writes Ian Golden.

Quins, the 2016 runners-up, will no longer be thinking about a return to the Principality Stadium, but the dream is still very much alive for Championship leaders Pontypool, cup winners in 1983.

And on Saturday’s form, Pooler will fear no-one in the last eight, especially if they get another home draw.

All the early pressure was applied by the home side, with Quins pushed back into their own half for the first 15 minutes.

Pontypool missed an early chance to get points on the board, Matthew Jones’ third minute penalty, from a kickable position, sailing wide.

Five minutes later they were denied an opening try by the TMO after Martin Luckwell, while under pressure, let the ball slip from his grasp as he dived for the line.

Jones then broke the deadlock with his second penalty attempt and Pontypool led 3-0 after 13 minutes.

After a period of pressure on the Pontypool backline, Quins levelled things up thanks to a Steffan Marshall kick from in front of the sticks.

Pontypool regained the lead on the half hour when they were awarded their first penalty try of the afternoon.

Carmarthen responded quickly. As soon as they regained possession the visitors made their way up field and Marshall finished off a nice move. He sliced the conversion wide.

However, Pooler went into half-time with a 17-8 advantage after being awarded a second penalty try.

The Pontypool ground staff worked wonders to get the game played following inclement weather all week.

But one half of rugby had already taken its toll on the muddy surface and both sides found it tough going in the second period.

It was a game that was no longer going to be won by running rugby and it was Pooler who utilised their kicking game at the right opportunities to take the tie.

Jones extended Pontypool’s lead after kicking a 57th-minute penalty and he repeated the feat with 10 minutes to make it 23-8.

After that, Pontypool put up a solid defence, although nothing substantial was thrown at them as the Championship side earned another big cup win.

Scorers: Pontypool – Tries: M Luckwell, Pen; Con: M Jones; Pens: M Jones (3)

Quins – Try: S Marshall; Pen: S Marshall

Pontypool: C Gullis; J Thomas, D Robinson, K Meek, R Usher (L Protheroe 77); M Jones, M Luckwell (A Quick 69); A Coundley (L Ball 80), B Parry (J Jeune 61), O Drake (R Harford 73), J Williams (R East 75), R Jones (M Herbert 66), B Lampitt (C Attwell 35), R Nash, B Sparks.

Quins: S Marshall; D Ford, N Reynolds, J Batcup (D Morgans 64), J Price (G Thomas 69); J Wilson (M Owen 69), I Beynon-Thomas (A James 49); G Robinson (S Phillips 59), T Myhill (R Clancy 69), S Llyr Thomas (N Williams 69), S Jones, H Pugh, E Lloyd, L Millin, R Bloomfield (L Taylor 69).

Star man: Martin Luckwell (Pontypool)