Another win for Ponty under 16s

After their successful tour to Belgium, the Under 16's travelled to Treherbert on Sunday 23 April, using the match as an opportunity to give some of the younger players and less experienced squad members like scrum half Rhys Ashman, wing Owen Kingsbury, centre Aaron Steverson, Prop Dean Brown, Lock Drew Evans and blindside Dafydd Griffiths a chance to show their skills.

The game started well for Ponty who although lacking some of their big forwards, more than held their own against a strong Treherbert pack, who were playing an excellent pick and drive game. With this in mind, Ponty fly half and captain Lewis Smith decided to revert to a faster tempo game than Ponty normally play, and with Ben Miles outstanding at openside, and Rhys Ashman providing a fast accurate service at scrum half, it wasn't long before full back Rhys Simms tore through the Treherbert defence and although stopped short, giant prop James Sullivan was able to drive over from 5m out for the opening try, converted by fly half Smith.

A badly timed challenge on Ponty wing Daniel Jordan saw referee Mike Bethell award a penalty to Ponty, that was converted again by Lewis Smith. Treherbert were soon to reply and their powerful pack drove through the Ponty defence for a try out wide that went unconverted. Treherbert were then rewarded for a penalty when the Ponty backs strayed offside at a ruck, which was excellently converted to close the half 10 - 8 to Ponty.

In the second half Ponty again started strongly and some brilliant approach work from Owen Kingsbury, Ben Miles and Lewis Williams, saw Ponty break deep into the Treherbert half, and when the Rhondda seemed to have stopped the move, brilliant work from Lewis Smith saw replacement prop Marc Jones cross wide out for an unconverted try.

Almost immediately from the restart, replacement full back Lewis Egal made an excellent break, and quick ruck ball from the forwards saw Ashman put Lewis Smith in space. Smith tormented the Treherbert defence dummying and side-stepping through their back line for his first try of the game that he duly converted. This seemed to spur Treherbert on, and once again excellent work from their forwards produced another close range unconverted try.

Lewis Smith was now running the show and in an outstanding individual performance again burst up-field only to be denied by a last gasp high tackle, however he duly converted the penalty.

Treherbert were quick to respond and again great work from their big forwards produced their third unconverted try. Ponty were quick to respond and after brilliant line out work from Drew Evans, replacement forwards Richard Powell and Nathaniel Williams powered up-field. Ashman spun the ball quickly from the ruck, and Smith linked with Jarod Scaplehorn on the blindside to put Lewis Williams away on a brilliant run, beating three defenders through sheer pace and power  for Ponty's fourth try, that was unconverted.

With the game beyond them Treherbert were bravely running every scrap of possession, and when their scrum half tried a wild long pass in midfield, flyhalf Smith quickly intercepted and ran in from his own 10m line, to score Ponty's final try, which he again converted for a final score of Treherbert 18 Pontypridd 40.

This was an excellent performance from the whole squad, however with 22 points to his name including two tries, man of the match was undoubtedly flyhalf Lewis Smith. It seems a mystery to all who know Smith how he has been overlooked by the Regional Selectors this season, when he has been in such brilliant form, and few would bet against Smith gracing the Ponty senior no10 shirt in the not too distant future.  

Try scorers for Pontypridd: Lewis Smith (2), James Sullivan, Marc Jones and Lewis Williams.

Lewis Smith kicked three conversion and three penalties.

Man of the Match: Lewis Smith