Ayr 21-22 Pontypridd

(highlights on www.scottishrugbytv.com)

Pontypridd kept the flickering flame of their British & Irish Cup campaign alive with a dramatic last gasp win away at Ayr.

This was a game of two halves and one which Ponty seemed destined to surrender after being under pressure for most of the first forty minutes, but once again showing a depth of character that saw them through to victory.

The Scottish champions elected to play with a strong wind behind them, and made the most of that advantage by dominating territorially. A succession of penalties converted by fly-half Frazier Climo edged Ayr into a nine point lead without reply. As flanker Paul Burke crashed over for a try following a driving maul, the home side seemed to be well on top.

Hopes of a Ponty come back were however kept alive as lock Grant Harrington claimed a try from a forward drive in injury time, with outside half Bramwell adding the valuable conversion.

A Bramwell penalty successfully converted within ten minutes of the restart narrowed Ponty’s deficit, but Ayr striking back through a try scored by flanker Wilson and converted by Climo.

The Welsh team were however resurgent and not ready to surrender their hopes of a win. As winger Owen Williams went over for a try wide out, a dramatic last quarter to the game was in prospect. Despite having outside half Bramwell stretchered off, Ponty were by now applying all the pressure. The contest built up to a dramatic climax as Kristian Baller rounded off an attack from full back with a touchdown and added the crucial conversion with the last kick of the game.

Urged on by a huge and vocal travelling support, Ponty had done enough to deserve a narrow win by 21pts to 22.

Scorers:
AYR: Tries: Burke, Wilson. Con: Climo. Pens Climo (3).
PONTYPRIDD: Tries: Harrington, O Williams, Baller. Cons: Bramwell, Baller. Pen: Bramwell.

Ayr: D Steele; J McClung, R Curle, F Climo, C Taylor; J Hunter, AJ MacFarlane (A Wilson 32); G Reid, S Fenwick, G Sykes, D Kelly, S Sutherland, J Crossan (G Tippett 53), P Burke, A Dunlop.
Subs not used: S Adair, G Strain, D MacLeod, B McPherson, S Manning.

Pontypridd: M Nuthall (G Morris in 56); C Clayton, G Dacey, G Williams (A Thomas 45), O Williams (G Williams 72); A Bramwell, K Baller; S Williams (J Williams 60), T Hetherington, K Knaggs, G Harrington, R Savage, H Dowden, M Rees (L Thorne 71), C Dicomidis.
Subs not used: R Harford.

Referee: S Lee (RFU).