The game was proving to be a lottery in very difficult conditions right from the start, but Ponty defying the rain and mud to set off on an adventurous attack, a deft cross kick from Dai Flanagan carried on by Kristian Baller, but a scoring pass to Matt Hutchings not going to hand. The home team were dominant in the set scrums, taking ball against the head to drive onwards to the line, hooker Huw Dowden claiming a try which was duly converted by Flanagan.
Making the most of their scrum and line out prowess, Ponty continued to apply pressure, with Kristian Baller hoisting over a penalty from thirty-five metres out. Both sides were slip sliding their way through the mud, and Ponty sometimes guilty of kicking away valuable possession, allowing Llanelli to respond through a well struck Luke Richards penalty with sixteen minutes gone.
With the penalty count rising significantly against them, Ponty were back tracking into their own half, but showing doggedness in defence before conceding points to another Luke Richards penalty. The first half finished with the Ponty forwards driving on to great effect, and despite a long range Baller penalty falling short, having earned their interval lead of 10pts to 6.
Just two minutes into the second period, Ponty re-affirmed their superiority as Flanagan converted a penalty, the home side then kicking to touch and for field position to maintain their momentum.
Working off good line ball, Ponty drove deep into opposition territory, one final shunt to the line culminating in a try scored by prop Sam Hobbs. Ponty seemed fired up and eager to move up a gear, but being penalised out of contention by referee Nigel Whitehouse. Defying the atrocious conditions, Ponty were harassing their opponents into making mistakes, but then losing the initiative as flanker Rhys Lloyd was sent to the sin bin. Making the most of their numerical advantage, Llanelli wheeled a five metre scrum to send no 8 Dan Godfrey over for a try which was converted by Richards.
Now engaged in a rearguard action Ponty showed grim determination to hold out the visitors’ attacks, before edging their way back upfield, allowing outside half Flanagan to hoist over another well struck penalty. Llanelli responded with a period of pressure, converted into points through a Luke Richards penalty, but Ponty holding out defiantly to the final whistle.
A game played in poor conditions, but lacking nothing in spirit and endeavour, saw Ponty claiming their rightful reward against all odds with a 21pts to 16 victory.
Pontypridd:
15.Matt Hutchings. 14.Lawrence Price. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Adam Thomas (Mike Davies). 11.Kristian Baller. 10.Dai Flanagan. 9.Andrew Jenkins.
1.Sam Hobbs (Stuart Williams). 2.Huw Dowden (Leighton Davies). 3.Pat Palmer (Ryan Harford). 4.Grant Harrington. 5.Chris Dicomidis. 6.Rhys Lloyd (Geraint Lewis). 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Nathan Strong – cpt.
“Golden Bob” man of the match – Wayne O’Connor.

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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