Pontypridd 32-7 Glamorgan Wanderers

A game played in dreadful conditions at Sardis Road seemed destined to be null and void as a spectacle as thirty muddied combatants battled it out during the first forty minutes.

Ponty applied plenty of pressure, a break by full back Matthew Nuthall almost producing a score, but continuity and handling skills proving to be a lottery.

Two Dai Flanagan penalties, scored on ten and forty minutes, gave Pontypridd a deserved interval lead, reflecting their dominance of territory and possession, albeit in a contest more akin to bog-snorkelling than rugby football.

A change of shirts at half time gave Ponty some fresh impetus and sent them cruising to an unlikely bonus point victory courtesy of four tries scored to their opponents’ one. Dynamic hooker Huw Dowden led the way for the home team, charging through for two tries, with scrum half Gavin Morris and replacement flanker Kristian Dacey also crossing and Flanagan adding three conversions.

The Wanderers had their moments, retaliating with pace and guile, with winger Rory Budina claiming a solitary touchdown sandwiched in between Ponty’s efforts, the score converted by Scott Sneddon.

Both teams to their credit had battled against the elements as much as against each other to provide a competitive spectacle, and with Ponty’s power play being the dominant factor, making them deserved winners by 32pts to 7.

Pontypridd:

15.Matthew Nuthall. 14.Lewis Williams (Gary Williams). 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Adam Thomas. 11.Owen Williams. 10.Dai Flanagan (Matthew Hutchings). 9.Gavin Morris (Ryan Phillips).

1.Ken Knaggs (Jon Williams). 2.Huw Dowden (Tom Hetherington). 3.Ryan Harford. 4.Chris Martenko. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Chris Dicomidis. 7.Darren Waters (Kristian Dacey). 8.Nathan Strong – cpt.

“Golden Bob” man of the match:  Huw Dowden.

Scorers: