Rotherham Titans 33-23 Pontypridd

Pontypridd failed to take the initiative in their British & Irish Cup campaign, going down to an away defeat at Rotherham by 33pts to 23.

An early penalty converted by home scrum half Jonny West was countered as Dean Gunter replied in similar fashion for Pontypridd. There was another exchange of successful penalty kicks between the two players, highlighting a close fought encounter that was often a battle of attrition amongst the forwards.

Ponty finally took the initiative after thirty-three minutes as flanker Darren Waters pounced for a try from a five metre scrum. The balance however was to swing in the home team’s favour as winger Peter Swatkins crossed to touchdown under the posts, the conversion from West edging Rotherham into an interval lead of 13pts to 11.

Scrum half West kept the scoreboard ticking over with another penalty, and Rotherham then extending their lead as outside half Tom Allen crossed for a try. A yellow card issued to prop Ryan Harford was another set-back for Ponty with the game going temporarily to passive scrums.

The home team were by now the dominant force, but Ponty taking advantage of a break upfield by wing Chris Clayton, flanker Matthew Rees up in support to cross for a try which was converted by Gunter. Rotherham struck back with a try scored by prop Craig Voisey and converted by West, reflecting their clear advantage in terms of territory and possession.

A touchdown for Ponty centre Gary Williams proved to be a consolation score as Rotherham once again struck back with a final decisive try for outside half Allen.

A brave effort by Pontypridd following their long haul journey up to Yorkshire had proved futile, with Rotherham taking the spoils by a winning margin of 33pts to 23.