Nottingham Rugby 20-17 Pontypridd

Having weathered an early assault from Nottingham, it was Pontypridd who drew first blood as they launched an attack from line out possession in the home twenty-two, the ball shipped wide for full back Harley Thomson to cross for a try in the corner. A wide angle conversion from Dean Gunter followed to give Ponty a seven point advantage with five minutes gone.

Nottingham resumed on the offensive, keeping their opponents pinned back deep in their own territory, going close to scoring and missing a number of kickable penalty attempts in the process. The Ponty defence remained resolute and kept their line intact before breaking the siege and giving outside half Dean Gunter the chance to launch a long range penalty between the posts.

After the home team once more applied a period of pressure and had a score disallowed, Ponty struck back as Gunter launched an opportunist cross kick which winger Matthew Nuthall fielded to cross for a try which Gunter again converted.

The first half came to a frenetic conclusion as Ponty centre Dafydd Lockyer was sin-binned and Nottingham full back James Stokes successful with the ensuing penalty, registering an interval score-line of 3pts to 17.

Nottingham struck straight from the restart, centre Ayoola Erinle cutting through in midfield to score a try which Stokes converted. Ponty were now pinned back in their own half, defending hard and conceding a number of penalties under pressure. Following a lengthy break due to an injury incurred by wing Owen Williams, Ponty managed to make headway upfield through a Gavin Dacey break, but unable to capitalise.

Normal service resumed as Nottingham once again launched phase after phase of attack, spurning kicks at goal to set up a series of driving line outs. Pressure finally told as the home pack crossed the line for replacement Joe Duffy to claim a try which Stokes converted with sixty-seven minutes gone.

A Dean Gunter penalty attempt from near half way gave Ponty some brief reprieve, but Nottingham then resuming their stranglehold on the game, with the referee’s decisions going very much their way. Ponty put up a heroic rearguard action into injury time, but undone as home full back James Stokes slotted over a snap drop goal to secure the win.

A losing bonus point was Ponty’s reward for their gallant efforts, going down to defeat by 20pts to 17.

Pontypridd:

15.Harley Thomson (Gareth Wyatt). 14.Owen Williams (Lewis Williams). 13. Gavin Dacey. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Dean Gunter. 9.Rhys Downes (Lewis Jones).

1.Stuart Williams (Ryan Harford). 2. Huw Dowden. 3.Pat Palmer. 4.Cory Hill. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Chris Dicomidis – cpt. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Dan Godfrey.

Scorers: