Connah's four-try haul fires Ponty to opening win

HOOKER Connah Hughes helped himself to four second-half tries on his competitive debut for Pontypridd to seal a 34-17 bonus-point triumph at Brecon on the opening day of the Admiral Premiership season.

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It was the second weekend in succession he achieved the feat, having also scored four times in Ponty's final preseason friendly against St Albans a week earlier.

Hughes, who joined the Valley Commandos from Cross Keys during the close season, filled his boots again at Parc de Pugh to help bag five points for his new club.

Fly-half Jorge Lucey, also on his debut, converted two of Hughes' four tries.

The sides had gone in level 10-10 at the break. Jude Williams and Oli Shepherd scored unconverted tries for Ponty in the first half.

Jake Newman converted his own try and kicked a penalty for Brecon, who were awarded a late penalty try.

Ponty, runners-up last season, are aiming to wrestle the Premiership title away from Merthyr who needed a last-gasp penalty from Ben Jones to snatch a 22-19 victory at Neath.

The Welsh All Blacks had battled back from 12-0 down at the break to lead 19-12, with Sion Jones, Morgan Meaclem and Kian Jones going over.