A poignant match

A minute’s silence preceded the first Pontypridd under 16's match since the sad loss of the side's head coach Warren Rossiter.

Ponty secured a hard fought win over their Crumlin RFC counterparts, by 17pts to 7.

With Warren's son Garin starting at outside-half, and with fellow player Cory McCarthy, who is himself currently undergoing cancer treatment, sat on the sidelines, this was an emotional and poignant match for these young players.

The match itself was a bruising and high tempo encounter with both sides trying to play an expansive game. The teams should be applauded for showing great determination in defence and playing positive rugby throughout.

But it was Ponty's big tackling defence that won them the match, as Crumlin spent a large proportion of the second period camped on the hosts’ try-line, only to be denied time after time by Ponty's gritty defence and determined tackling. This, combined with Pontypridd's blistering counter attacking play saw the home side deservedly take the spoils.

Try scorers for Pontypridd were Josh Edwards, Jordan Knill & Elliott Shorte with a conversion kicked by Garin Rossiter. 

Pontypridd Under 16's would like to thank Crumlin's coaches, players and parents for their support and consideration, before, during and after the match. THANK YOU