Cinderford 12-38 Pontypridd

Following a bright start by Pontypridd, home side Cinderford took up the intitiative, both teams looking competent in attack which augured well for an entertaining clash. Cinderford came close to scoring following an intensive period of pressure, before Ponty broke away on a counter spearheaded by lively wing Lewis Williams.

It was end to end stuff, and Ponty breaking the deadlock, rewarded for a spell of excellent support play as centre Dafydd Lockyer broke through for a try, converted by Dean Gunter. The ebb and flow of the game continued, Ponty thrusting forward in attack before again back tracking to defend on their own line. Back on the offensive, industrious Ponty flanker Darren Waters seized  loose ball at the back of a line out, launching another good support move which outside half Gunter rounded off with a try.

The Valley Commandos were now gaining the upper hand, Dafydd Lockyer breaching the gain line and replacement flanker Rhys Watkins up in support to claim a try, the score converted by Gunter. Cruising into top gear, Ponty launched another sweeping back line move, wing Lewis Williams darting over for a try, converted by Gunter.

Good hands, and a good turn of pace were the order of the day for Ponty as they finished the first half on a high, Lewis Williams put in for another try, the wide angle conversion by Gunter hitting the target, giving Ponty an impressive interval lead of 0pts to 33.

Ponty maintained their momentum into the second period, but errors creeping into their game, and Cinderford taking advantage with a series of drives up to the visitors’ line. A number of substitutions were made, disrupting the flow of the game, which remained highly competitive, but having dropped down a gear or two.

The home team continued with a phase of unrelenting pressure, finally breaking their duck with a well deserved try scored by Dan Hill. Ponty struck back with a foray upfield, but a knock-on by Chris Clayton with the try line begging summing up their frustrations. Committing errors and kicking away valuable possession, Ponty had lost their way, with Cinderford always threatening on the counter.

A barnstorming charge by full back Gary Williams gave Ponty some momentum upfield, but Cinderford retaliating with an effective maul, camping on their opponents’ line before Nigel Matthews crossed for a try, converted by Danny Painton. Putting their second half deficiencies behind them, Ponty finished on a high, spreading the ball wide for winger Owen Williams to squeeze in for a try in the corner.

A competitive friendly match came to an end with Ponty, on their overall performance, emerging as creditable victors by 12pts to 38.