Pontypridd RFC were given a heroes' welcome after they won the Premiership Cup final at the weekend. Cross Keys were beaten 43-12 at the Principality Stadium by their opposition, and despite just a 10-5 scoreline at the break, Ponty overpowered them in the second half to take home the silverware. After securing a huge win at the home of Welsh rugby, Ponty returned to Sardis Road to a warm reception by all those involved at the club. Striding into the clubhouse to raucous applause, 'We Are The Champions' by Queen played in the background as players' faces lit up in delight. You can watch the clip below. "I’m pretty much fine, I think the boys are a bit sore!" began first-team manager Stuart Rix, who spoke to WalesOnline. "It was a tough old game, a very physical game on a big old pitch. I think there’s a few sore heads for the lads. Pretty good, pretty happy with ourselves. "It’s a fantastic achievement. There’s been tough times, it’s been very difficult in the last year with regards to changes in the league format, and with us not going into the top league, the SRC (Super Rygbi Cymru). So it’s really nice that we can end this season on a positive note to give something back to our fans. Really proud of our achievements this year. "For us and the boys, it hasn’t been easy losing our coach again at the early part of the season. Kristian (Parker) and Iestyn (Harris) have come in. Really proud to be able to put some silverware back into the club and put Ponty back where it belongs." Speaking about the celebrations, Rix explained what it was like to be at the clubhouse after the game: "It was absolutely brilliant. We had a few things lined up, we wanted to go straight back from the stadium to Pontypridd just to celebrate with our fans. With the way the Principality Stadium is set up, which is a fantastic effort, but all the fans are on the middle tier, so you don’t get to see your friends, family and supporters straight after the game. "So we made the decision as a group that we would get straight back on the bus, straight up to Sardis to see everyone and it was absolutely amazing to walk into the clubhouse. The place was literally ram-packed. We basically had a guard of honour to walk back into the club from all of our supporters. So it’s really fantastic to see everyone, friends and family. "We had initially planned to auction off the shirts which were worn in the final to give to the fans, so that the fans could own something. One of our sponsors anonymously bought all of the shirts and then graciously donated them back to the boys. So all of the lads managed to secure their own shirts as well. It was a fantastic moment." With player-coach Parker at the helm, Rix explains that a decision will be on the permanent boss in due course. "The club are going to make a decision on that at the end of the season to see where we’re at," he added. "But it’s obviously a fantastic effort by Kristian and his team to bring silverware back to Ponty for the first time in many years. "I would like to say as well, there is a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes at Pontypridd. The success is not just with the senior team, we’ve got the Pontypridd schools, the under-11s are in the DC Thomas Cup final for the second time in three years. The under-16s have won the Dewar Shield this year. It’s all contributing to the feeling at the club that not all in Welsh rugby is doom and gloom. "It was outstanding to be around the village yesterday, just going into local shops where people were shaking your hand and being grateful, it was a proper old-school feeling. "It was typical of our club, there was a very large mini and junior festival at Sardis Road on Sunday, so a lot of the lads came down just to support the kids playing, we’ve got a lot of families. It was great. I think some of the boys rumbled into town afterwards to continue the celebrations. Most of the bars we were walking in, people were stopping, clapping, shaking hands. It’s just a great feeling around the town at the moment. So long may it continue around Pontypridd." Pontypridd's Parker was over the moon after the full-time whistle, and was "immensely proud" of all those involved. "It's not an accolade for me, it's an accolade for the club, and these boys here," he began. "The effort they put in on Tuesdays and Thursdays is unbelievable. They're such a proud group to coach and be involved with. You look at the support we had here today, it was like a home game, that trophy is for them." Writing on their club website, Pontypridd made a statement, which reads as follows: "The outpouring of support from supporters, ex-players, ex-coaches, club sponsors and partners both before and following Saturday’s final has been nothing short of unbelievable! The club’s social media platforms have been inundated with hundreds upon hundreds of messages both on various threads and via direct messages congratulating the team on their achievement. "The level of support we have experienced these last few days has made it an almost impossible task to thank each and every one of you individually for your congratulations aimed at the team. "So on behalf of the players, coaching and management team, medical and support team and club officials we would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the support and well wishes you have directed at the club – we couldn’t have won the cup without YOU!"