Pontypridd 49-5 Pontypool

Pontypridd dug deep into their reserves to post an emphatic seven try home win over Premiership strugglers Pontypool, and did so in style.

A low key beginning to the game, with errors and the referee’s whistle prominent, did not give an indication of the action to come. Ponty duly opened the scoring, capitalising on a kick and rush attack for centre Gavin Dacey to touch down. Building up continuity, and gradually gaining a defini te ascendancy in the set piece and loose, the home side pulled further ahead through two Dean Gunter penalties.

By the second quarter, it was all Ponty, outside half Gunter instigating a kick and chase, then securing a turnover to spread the ball wide, and winger Chris Clayton capitalising with a try. As Pooler hooker Buckley was yellow carded, Ponty drove home their advantage with another score, wing Owen Williams gathering and touching down a clever Gunter cross kick, with the outside half converting from the touchline.

An interval advantage of 23pts to 0 was scant reflection of Pontypridd’s overall dominance.

A dominant scrum allowed Ponty to trigger their back line at will, with centre Gary Williams prominent in their dynamic plays. Following a series of drives to the visitors’ line Ponty then spread the ball wide for Owen Williams to claim a second score.

Despite a yellow card issued to prop Stuart Williams, and despite making many changes off the bench, Ponty continued to impress. The home team’s pace and guile was stretching the Pontypool defence to its limits, with their flanker Cae Trayhern sin binned for infringing. A forward snipe up the blindside resulted in a try for industrious Ponty flanker Matthew Rees, with a touchline conversion added by Aaron Bramwell.

A decisive break by Chris Clayton allowed the winger to claim his second try, once more converted by Bramwell. A late repost by Pontypool saw a try claimed out wide by Rhydian Wilson, but the home side deservedly claiming the last word, as flanker Chris Dicomidis galloped over in the corner, with Bramwell’s conversion bringing a good night’s work to a close. A bonus point win by 49pts to 5 was just reward for an energetic performance by Pontypridd.

Pontypridd:

15.Aaron Bramwell. 14.Chris Clayton. 13.Gavin Dacey (Lee Thorne). 12.Gary Williams. 11.Owen Williams. 10.Dean Gunter (Matthew Nuthall). 9.Kristian Baller (Gavin Morris).

1.Ken Knaggs (Jon Williams). 2.Tom Hetherington. 3.Ryan Harford (Stuart Williams). 4.Grant Harrington (Craig Locke). 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Chris Dicomidis. 7.Matthew Rees. 8.Nathan Strong (Alun Thomas).

“Golden Bob” Man of the Match:- Gary Williams

Scorers: