This friendly pre-season trial match was played out in three periods of thirty-five minutes each, with both sides making numerous changes to their line ups throughout the game.
Pontypridd began with a period of sustained pressure, spurning kicks at goal to drive down towards the North Wales line, but failing to break through for a score. It was the host team who first put points on the board through a well taken penalty kicked by outside half Matthew Parry. Picking up the tempo of their game, Ponty struck back with an overlap try scored at pace by wing Gareth John. Another touchdown followed as wing Jon Walder finished off a neat midfield switch move, the try converted by outside half Dylan Jones. As Gareth John cut loose for another try in the corner, Ponty finished the first period well on top and leading by 3 pts to 17.
Numerous changes in personnel caused Ponty to loose some of their earlier momentum, and conceding points as North Wales struck for a short range try which was converted by Parry. Still taking the options of kicks for territory rather than kicks at goal, Ponty went close to scoring as hooker Richard Emms spilled the ball in the corner. The deadlock was finally broken as winger Dan Hitchings raced clear for a try on the overlap, outside half Celyn Ashton’s wide angle conversion attempt rebounding off a post.
As the third period got underway, the game was by now a stop start affair, but evenly contested. North Wales applied a greater degree of pressure, and were finally rewarded with a forward drive over the line for a try. The home team cut the deficit further with a breakaway try in the corner for winger Richard Hopkins, making for a close finish to the game. Doing just enough to preserve and improve upon their lead, Ponty finished strongly to send centre Dafydd Lockyer over for a try, rounding off a winning scoreline of 20 pts to 27.
Pontypridd squad:
Full Backs: Kristian Baller / Jason Pocock / Rhys Chinnock
Wings: Jon Walder / Gareth John / Dan Hitchings / Matthew Keats
Centres: Adam Thomas / Nathan Ellis / Dafydd Lockyer / Gareth John
Outside Halves: Dylan Jones / Celyn Ashton / Tom Mills
Scrum Halves: Ryan Harries / Gareth Jones / Rhys Evans
Props: Hywel Stoddart / Neil Jones / John Thomas / Rhys James / Leighton Davies
Hookers: Leighton Davies / Richard Emms / Dylan Sullivan
Locks: Damien Welch / Grant Harrington / Dale McIntosh
Back Row: Darren Jones / Chris Harford / Dale McIntosh / Nathan Strong / Dafydd Lockyer

How good is Ponty
Total votes 404
Yn union pa mor dda yw carfan clwb rygbi Pontypridd, pencampwyr dwbwl Cymru? Just how good is this Pontypridd squad, double champions of Wales?
5%
2%
5%
88%
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