Pontypridd 16-16 Cardiff

This game had so much going for it – Ponty defending top position in the Premiership, Cardiff hurting after a run of five defeats, and added to that the long tradition of rivalry between the two clubs, to be played out in front of a passionate crowd of 4,000 committed fans.

As is so often the case when expectations are high, the match got off to a cagey start. Both sided were cautious in their attacking ploys, attempting to keep the ball in hand despite the greasy conditions, but with neither try line threatened during the first half hour.

An exchange of penalties between opposing outside halves Simon Humberstone and Gareth Davies kept the scoreboard ticking over, with Cardiff edging a 3pts to 6 lead. It was Ponty who had attempted to up the tempo of the game, but Cardiff who achieved the breakthrough, launching a snap offensive from a line out take, with full back Jimmy Norris slicing clean through for a try which Davies converted.

Ponty responded to finish the first half strongly, putting Cardiff under intense pressure, the visitors’ infringing tactics punished by a yellow card issued to captain Grant Harrington. Home outside half Simon Humberstone saw one penalty attempt rebound off a post, but another successfully converted, narrowing Ponty’s interval deficit to 6pts to 13.

The home side came out fired up for the second half, launching a concerted phase of all out attack, centre Adam Thomas powering through for an early try, converted by Humberstone. The Ponty outside half then saw another penalty agonisingly rebound off the post as his team kept up their dominance of the game.

There was a lull in the tempo of the encounter, interspersed by injuries and a spate of substitutions, even a change of kit for Pontypridd, but with the scores level, there was still an indication that a tense finale was in the offing.

A well struck Simon Humberstone drop goal edged Ponty into the lead, the home side then setting about doggedly defending that advantage against Cardiff’s best efforts, and despite the referee’s decisions going against them.

A full seven minutes into injury time a penalty was awarded to Cardiff which replacement outside half Scott Sneddon coolly struck over from long range. There was still time for Ponty to launch one last concerted offensive, but a last gasp drop goal attempt from Humberstone just missing the target.

Purely in rugby terms the game had not lived up to expectations, but had offered up plenty of tension and drama, ending in a 16pts all draw.

Pontypridd:

15.Gareth Wyatt. 14.Lewis Williams. 13.Adam Thomas. 12.Dafydd Lockyer (Gavin Dacey). 11.Owen Williams. 10.Simon Humberstone. 9.Kristian Baller (Garyn Lucas).

1.Stuart Williams. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Ken Knaggs (Phil Osborne). 4.Craig Locke. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Ed Siggery (Jake Thomas). 7.Wayne O’Connor (Darren Waters). 8.Chris Dicomidis – cpt.

Golden Bob man of the match: Owen Williams.

Scorers: