Pontypridd 16-22 Cardiff

Ponty’s first ever British & Irish Cup tie was a game that should have been played at home but wasn’t, and ultimately was a game that could have been won but wasn’t.

The “away” team Cardiff playing on home soil enjoyed a greater share of territory and possession early on, but Ponty always willing to strike back on the counter. The game was fast and loose, with errors committed, and the deadlock broken by a well struck Dai Flanagan penalty for Pontypridd with twelve minutes gone.

That was to be the only score of a first half which saw Cardiff dominate territorially, but Ponty battling for their share of possession and defending resolutely, with the ability to counter at pace on occasion, with Nuthall, Thomas and Downes to the fore.

As Cardiff continued to press forwards after the break, Ponty were placed under increasing pressure, and hit by a double whammy as Harford and Downes were sin-binned for foul play and infringing. The thirteen remaining men in black now dug deep to hold their opponents at bay, but the inevitable breakthrough coming as Cardiff wing Ryan Howells sliced through for a try which outside half Davies converted.

In a dramatic repost, Ponty wing Kristian Baller intercepted and raced through from his own twenty-two to score, the try converted by Flanagan. As Ponty fought their way back into contention, Cardiff flanker Jamie Ringer was sin-binned, and replacement fly-half Dean Gunter slotting over the ensuing penalty to restore Ponty’s lead.

Despite having played most of the game in their own half Ponty now looked capable of taking the initiative, but were rocked back as Davies firstly converted a penalty for Cardiff and lock Ashley Sweet then crossed for an opportunist try following a charged down clearance kick, the score converted by Davies.

Another Gunter penalty coolly converted set up a tense finale to the contest with only one point separating the two teams, but as Ponty chased the game, and continued to commit errors, Cardiff struck for a vital last score with winger Ryan Howells claiming a try on the counter attack.

Going down to defeat by 22pts to 16, Ponty at least gained a bonus point as some consolation from their initial  British & Irish Cup adventure.

Pontypridd

15.Matthew Nuthall (Lewis Williams). 14.Chris Clayton. 13.Adam Thomas. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Kritian Baller. 10.Dai Flanagan (Dean Gunter). 9.Rhys Downes.

1.Stuart Williams (Lewis Smout). 2.Huw Dowden (Rhys Williams). 3.Ryan Harford. 4.Ryan Savage. 5.Chris Dicomidis (Grant Harrington). 6.Rhys Lloyd (Lewis Smout – temp). 7.Wayne O’Connor (Darren Waters). 8.Nathan Strong – cpt.

Scorers: