Gouger banned

Colomiers prop Richard Nones was banned for two years for eye gouging following his injury-time dismissal at Pontypridd last night.

Nones, a 58th-minute replacement at Sardis Road, was shown the red card by Jim Fleming after his touch judge Bertie Craig had spotted an incident at the game's final scrum.

Pontypridd were good value for their victory, out-half Lee Jarvis kicking 17 points and wing Gareth Wyatt scoring a sparkling solo try after Pontypridd launched a thrilling counterattack from inside their own 22.

It looked as if it wouldn't be their night when Jarvis failed with two early penalty attempts and Colomiers wing David Skrela kicked the visitors ahead, but Pontypridd responded superbly, carving out one of the tries of the season.

Centre Sonny Parker - a New Zealander recommended to Pontypridd by watching Wales coach Graham Henry - was the pivotal figure, drawing two Colomiers players with an exquisitely timed pass that sent speed merchant Wyatt springing 60 metres to the line.