Under 12s District report - Pontypridd v Rhondda

Pontypridd District Under 12's played their Rhondda counterparts on Friday 13th January at Llanharan RFC, in a tense nail bitter of a match. This was literally a game of two halves, with Pontypridd completely dominant in the first half and Rhondda completely dominant in the second. 

Pontypridd showed their intentions from the start, taking the game to Rhondda by utilising their huge backs, particularly their huge centre Rory Woodland (Pontyclun RFC). Rhondda were camped on their own try line for almost the whole of the first period, but managed to keep Pontypridd at bay right up until the final seconds of the half when Pontypridd's pack finally managed to pile over the Rhondda try line for scrum half Joel Raikes (Pontypridd RFC) to pick up and force his way over. Prominent for Rhondda in the first half were outside-half Bobi Sheppard (Ystrad Rhondda RFC), Rhondda captain James Parry (Treorchy RFC), wing Dale Hughes (Pontypridd RFC), flanker Dewi Walding (Treorchy RFC), along with centres Jack Faulkes (Porth Harlequins RFC) and Callum Phillips. Whilst for Pontypridd Rory Woodland, Joel Raikes, Paul Minty (Porth Harlequins RFC) and Max Watkins (Llantwit Fardre RFC) looked impressive.

The second half saw a resurgent Rhondda who were once again propelled forward by their captain James Parry and went on to dominate the rest of the game despite the best efforts of the huge Pontypridd midfield.  Once again it was a Pontypridd RFC player who would score in the final seconds of the half, with Rhondda winger Dale Hughes scoring just before the final whistle. Though full praise should go to scrum-half Tom Williams (Treorchy RFC) who made an excellent blind-side break, took out the sole defender and gave a fantastic pass for Dale Hughes to sprint the last twenty yards to score in the corner.  Up front it was a case of honours even between two very powerful aggressive packs, whilst in the backs it was the huge Pontypridd midfields power against Rhondda's guile and determination.  Pontypridd had the advantage of size in the midfield, with Rhondda having the advantage out wide with their fantastically quick wingers.  But determined tackling along with a well organised rush defence by Rhondda nullified and frustrated the giant Pontypridd centre's throughout the match. With such a huge battle up front and in midfield, there was little opportunity to get the ball out wide for Rhondda to take advantage of their superior pace.   A draw was probably a fair result on the day in this highly intense and top class match.

Prominent for Pontypridd were Joshua Whiles-Pritchard (Pontypridd RFC), Rhys Taylor (Llantrisant RFC), Joel Raikes and Conor Gay (Llantwit Fardre RFC). Prominent for Rhondda in the second half were the  replacement scrum-half Tom Williams, full-back Luke Rees (Treorchy RFC), wing Callum Roberts, forward Jack Dunning (Treorchy RFC) and centre Anthony Harris (Tonyrefail RFC). Praise should especially go to centres Jack Faulkes, Callum Phillips, replacement centre Anthony Harris and wing Dale Hughes who's rush defence kept the huge Pontypridd midfield on the back-foot throughout the match.

Try Scorer for Pontypridd: Joel Raikes (Pontypridd RFC)
Try Scorer for Rhondda: Dale Hughes (Pontypridd RFC)

Pontypridd District:

1. Tom James - Llantwit Fardre RFC, 2. Daniel Watts - Pontypridd RFC, 3. Paul Minty - Porth Harlequins RFC, 4. Jason Franklin - Llantrisant RFC, 5. Daniel Fletcher - Llantwit Fardre RFC, 6. Simon Pring - Llanharan RFC, 7. Rory Troake - Llantwit Fardre RFC, 8 Max Watkins - Llantwit Fardre RFC, 9. Joel Raikes - Pontypridd RFC, 10. Rhys Hughes - Llantwit Fardre RFC, 11. Rhys Taylor - Llantrisant RFC, 12. Rory Woodland - Pontyclun RFC, 13. Conor Gay - Llantwit Fardre RFC, 14. Josh Pritchard - Pontypridd RFC, 15. Jack Waite - Pontyclun RFC, 16. Daniel Walls - Llantwit Fardre RFC, 17. Morgan Edwards - Llantwit Fardre RFC, 18. Carl Hardy - Llantwit Fardre RFC, 19. David Hooper - Pontypridd RFC, 20. Josh Coleman - Porth Harlequins RFC, 21. Tom Fears - Llantwit Fardre RFC, 22. Conor Barret - Pentyrch RFC.

Rhondda District Squad:

1. Garyn Daniels - YGC Y Cymer,  2. Ethan Lewis - Treorchy Comp. / Treorchy RFC,  3. James Parry (c) - Treorchy Comp. / Treorchy RFC,  4. Connor Mitchinson - YGC Y Cymer,  5. Jack Dunning - Treorchy Comp. / Treorchy RFC,  6. Pheon Radford - YGC Y Cymer / Ystrad Rhondda RFC,  7. Dewi Walding - Treorchy Comp. / Treorchy RFC,  8. Meurig Davies - YGC Y Cymer / Ystrad Rhondda RFC,  9. Sam Jones - YGC Y Cymer / Ystrad Rhondda RFC, 10. Bobi Sheppard - YGC Y Cymer / Ystrad Rhondda RFC,  11. Dale Hughes - Porth County / Pontypridd RFC,  12. Jack Foulkes - Porth County / Porth Harlequins RFC,  13. Anthony Harris - Tonyrefail Comp. / Tonyrefail RFC,  14. Callum Roberts - YGC Y Cymer,  15. Luke Rees - YGC Y Cymer / Treorchy RFC, 16. Liam Rees - Porth County / Porth Harlequins RFC,  17. Rhys Johnson - YGC Y Cymer / Porth Harlequins RFC, 18. James Winter - Tonypandy Comp., 19. Callum Phillips - YGC Y Cymer, 20. Daniel Morris - YGC Y Cymer, 21. Bradley Watkins - YGC Y Cymer, 22. Liam Ashcroft - Tonyrefail Comp. / Tonyrefail RFC, 23. Ashley Jones - Tonypandy Comp., 24. Gavin Wood - Tonypandy Comp., 25. Jackson Huntley - Tonypandy Comp., 26. Richard Ingham - Ferndale Comp., 27. Tom Carbis - Ferndale Comp., 28 Aled Summerhill - Cymer Juniors/Treorchy RFC, 29 Tom Williams - Treorchy RFC.