Pontypridd 34-7 Swansea

On a bright afternoon at Sardis Road all was set fair for an entertaining encounter between two of the Premiership’s form teams.

The match mostly lived up to expectations although at times a frustrating affair, but with plenty of attacking endeavour from both sides.

Ponty were the dominant force early on, working off a strong scrum and scavenging for possession in the loose, but unable to profit in terms of points. The breakthrough came on fourteen minutes following a fine support move, winger Chris Clayton going over for a try which was converted from a wide angle by outside half Simon Humberstone.

As Ponty continued to push forward, flanker Darren Waters made headway through the Swansea ranks, supported by hooker Dowden and with lock Cory Hill going over for a try, again converted by Humberstone.

Swansea finally set out their stall with a late first half repost showing their ability to counter attack at pace, but unable to detract from Ponty’s interval advantage of 14pts to 0.

Swansea continued to make an impact after the break, with Ponty sitting back in defence, soaking up pressure but eventually conceding as Whites’ centre Tom Isaacs cut through the midfield for a try, converted by full back Nicky Thomas. Straight from the restart Ponty struck back, wing Clayton claiming the high ball and sending lock Ryan Savage over for a try.

Ponty continued to get the better of exchanges, but their hard work often undone by handling errors and by the referee’s over enthusiastic postulations and whistle blowing and with impressive winger Chris Clayton dispatched to the sin bin.

It was into the seventy-fifth minute before Ponty managed to nail the all important fourth touchdown, a series of drives from an attacking line-out culminating in a try claimed by hooker Huw Dowden.

The game ended with Ponty staging a grand finale, flanker Ed Siggery and replacement hooker Tom Hetherington both crossing for tries wide out, securing a fine bonus point home win by 34pts to 7.

Pontypridd:

15.Gareth Wyatt – cpt. 14.Lewis Williams. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Chris Clayton (Matthew Nuthall). 10.Simon Humberstone (Dean Gunter). 9.Lewis Jones (Rhys Downes).

1.Ken Knaggs (Lewis Smout). 2.Huw Dowden (Tom Hetherington). 3.Ryan Harford (Ken Knaggs). 4.Cory Hill (Craig Locke). 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Ed Siggery. 7.Darren Waters (Calum Thomas). 8.Owen Sheppeard.

“Golden Bob” man of the match:- Lewis Jones

Scorers: