Pontypridd 31-8 Tonmawr

A topsy-turvy game which at times seemed to have lost its own plot ultimately ended in a satisfactory win for Pontypridd by 31pts to 8.

The home team began strongly, driving deep into opposition territory and getting off the mark with two early Dean Gunter penalties. Ponty remained on top, dominating possession and with the game played almost exclusively in the Tonmawr half, but with few scoring opportunities created.

Mid way through the first half the contest had lost its momentum, interspersed by infringements, errors and the referee’s whistle, with Tonmawr prop Owain Ford and flanker Craig Moses both in turn dispatched to the sin bin. Another penalty well struck by Ponty outside half Gunter gave his team an interval lead of 9pts to 0.

Ponty made a positive start to the second period, debutant no 8 Owen Sheppeard driving off the base of a five metre scrum to claim a try which Gunter converted.

The contest was far from settled as a frenetic sequence of events ensued. Tonmawr struck back, applying intense pressure in the home twenty-two, their pack driving over for a try claimed by hooker Darryl Harvey. The visitors now seemed rejuvenated, with replacement outside half Luke Richards orchestrating their attacks, and after both Ponty flanker Jake Thomas and prop Ken Knaggs had been sin binned, converting a penalty to narrow his side’s deficit to 16pts to 8.

Ponty immediately retaliated as Dean Gunter hoisted over another penalty, and then livewire winger Lewis Williams weaving his way through the heart of the opposition defence for a brilliant individual score, his try converted by Gunter.

The visitors once more pressed forward, with Ponty flanker Wayne O’Connor ordered to the sin bin and the home side, for a brief period down to twelve men, under intense pressure.

Organising a desperate rearguard action in their own twenty-two, Ponty were heroic in defence, often driving their assailants back many yards in the tackle and refusing to concede a score. “They shall not pass” was the Ponty motto, time and again rebuffing the Tonmawr attacks. Having stood firm in defence Ponty then drove upfield for one last offensive effort, moving the ball at pace and creating a chance for replacement Chris Dicomidis to cross for a try wide out.

Following a game which had ebbed and flowed, stagnated and then sprung back to life, Pontypridd emerged as worthy winners by 31pts to 8.

Pontypridd:

15.Gareth Wyatt. 14.Lewis Williams. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Gary Williams (Adam Thomas). 11.Chris Clayton (Garyn Lucas). 10.Dean Gunter. 9.Kristian Baller.

1.Stuart Williams (Chris Phillips). 2.Huw Dowden (Tom Hetherington). 3.Ken Knaggs. 4.Craig Locke. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Jake Thomas. 7.Wayne O’Connor - cpt (Ed Siggery). 8.Owen Sheppeard (Chris Dicomidis).

Scorers:

“Golden Bob” man of the match: Craig Locke