Pontypridd 32-17 Pontypool

It was a Tom Hancock penalty that opened the scoring for Pontypool, his opposite number Lewis K Williams responding in kind before another Hancock kick regained the visitors’ lead 3pts to 6. The exchange of attempts at goal reflected a fairly low key start to the game, dominated by the referee’s whistle.

It took a full fifteen minutes play before either try line was threatened, Ponty then making the most of a period of pressure instigated by a Tom Hetherington kick and rush attack, and rounded off with a close range try scored by hooker Rhys Williams.

Tom Hancock slotted over another penalty to regain Pooler’s advantage, but the home team now beginning to gain the upper hand, with Hetherington and Dicomidis leading their charges.

With Pontypool no8 Chris Gawlor dispatched to the sin bin, Ponty continued to build up momentum. As the ball was moved along the back line, winger Lewis I Williams waltzed over for a try, converted by his namesake Lewis K Williams. The home team had a solid platform in the set pieces and launched another flowing attack for full back Gareth Wyatt to cross in the corner, giving Ponty an interval lead of 20pts to 9.

Ponty maintained their attacking momentum into the second period, spurning kicks at goal to apply pressure in their opponents’ half, but failing to capitalise fully on their territorial advantage. Pontypool in turn were able to generate the odd counter offensive at pace, but the third quarter of the game passing by scoreless.

A Tom Hancock penalty struck with sixty-five minutes gone put the scoreboard back in motion and also kick started a Pontypridd response. Straight from the restart winger Matthew Nuthall claimed possession to send no8 Chris Dicomidis surging over for a try, which replacement Dean Gunter converted from a wide angle.

Pontypridd now applied concerted pressure to the visitors’ line, finally reaping their reward as a five metre scrum shunted over for back rower Dan Godfrey to claim the touchdown.

A late retaliation by a spirited Pontypool team saw winger Gareth Williams cutting through for a try, but no more than a consolation as Pontypridd deservedly claimed the bonus point win by 32pts to 17.

Pontypridd:

15.Gareth Wyatt. 14.Lewis I Williams. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Gary Williams (Dafydd Lockyer). 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Lewis K Williams (Dean Gunter). 9.Gareth Williams (Lewis Jones).

1.Chris Phillips (Sam Hobbs). 2.Rhys Williams (Huw Dowden). 3.Ryan Harford. 4.Cory Hill. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Jordan Sieniawski (Dan Godfrey). 7.Tom Hetherington. 8.Chris Dicomidis (Wayne O’Connor).

“Golden Bob” man of the match: Lewis I Williams.

Scorers: