Cardiff relish the Sweet taste of cup success.

Cardiff .................. 22 Pontypridd ........... 16 THE British & Irish Cup had the perfect start at the Arms Park last night when a pulsating tussle was decided by an injury-time try by Ryan Howells.

The match, originally scheduled for Sardis Road but switched at 48 hours' notice after a waterlogged pitch at the valleys' ground, provided a fitting launch pad for the new cross-border competition.

Clashes between these two local rivals are guaranteed never to be lacking in intensity.

Last night's encounter was no exception - with the added spice that despite the venue change Pontypridd had use of the home dressing room and dug-out and Cardiff were first out of the tunnel.

It was end to end stuff before Ponty edged ahead with a 40-metre penalty goal from Dai Flanagan in the 14th minute.

If Cardiff dominated territory they also, crucially, lacked a cutting edge behind the scrum.Their best move came when Gareth Davies made a clean break only for Richard Jones to be held up over the line.

With flanker Wayne O'Connor outstanding as a linkman Ponty were far more threatening in broken play. Matthew Nuthall twice gained big yardage with counter-attacks from the deep as Ponty held on for a 3-0 lead against the run of play at the break.

The game came to life after the restart. With Ryan Harford and Rhys Downes binned in quick succession Cardiff finally cashed in on their two-man advantage when Craig Morgan ran back a loose clearance kick and Ryan Howells scuttled over at the posts for Davies to convert.

Cardiff's lead was short-lived and there were red faces all around as 13-man Ponty regained the lead with a 60-metre interception try by Kristian Baller that Flanagan converted. Ponty moved two scores ahead when Cardiff skipper Jamie Ringer was binned for a high tackle and Dean Gunter slotted the goal.

Back came Cardiff as Tom Slater charged down a kick and Ashley Sweet crossed for the try to which Davies added the extras. Although Gunter reduced the arrears with his second penalty goal the Blue and Blacks had the last word as Howells outflanked the defence from 40 metres out.

Cardiff: Tries - R Howells (2), Sweet; Cons - G Davies (2); Pen - G Davies Pontypridd: Try - K Baller; Con - D Flanagan; Pens - D Flanagan, D Gunter (2)