Pontypridd 29 - 24 Llanelli

PONTY BEAT LLANELLI

Pontypridd 29 - 24 Llanelli

In their last Sardis Road appearance of the season Ponty ran out deserved winners by 29 points to 24. However, Ponty made it difficult for themselves as they allowed Llanelli to race into a 5 - 0 lead. Chris Wyatt received the ball out wide and some weak Ponty tackling allowed him to cross the line.

Despite their early setback Ponty responded with a drop goal and a penalty from Neil Jenkins to put them in front and that was to be the only scores for a while. In the wind and rain both teams found it hard to play any sort of rugby with frequent errors halting both teams progress.

With just under 40 minutes on the clock Ponty again went on the attack and despite the pass failing to find Neil Jenkins, Shaun James gathered the ball, showed his strength to stand up to the tackler and offload to impressive youngster Richard Fussell who faced Neil Boobyer on the wing. Fussell slowed down and knowing that Bobeyer wouldn't be able to match him for pace he sped up and straight past Boobyer to score in the corner. Jenkins managed to add the touchline conversion and Ponty's lead was extended to 13 - 5. 

A further penalty for Jenkins put Ponty in command of the game but deep into first half injury time Llanelli responded with a try from Tal Selley but they couldn't get the extra two points.

In the second half Jenkins gave a kicking masterclass with a further two penalties but just when Ponty were looking to run away with the game, Gareth Bowen responded with a try, converted by Boobyer to put Ponty 22 - 17 ahead.

Ponty then went on the attack and after  a long spell of pressure they were rewarded with a try through young centre Shaun James. Jenkins again converted and Ponty took  a 29 - 17 lead with 20 minutes to play.

In the dying stages both teams had spells of pressure in each others half but Llanellli were the only ones to convert the pressure into points as Salesi Finau broke through a gap to put Selley over for his second try which was converted to leave the score at 29 - 24. Ponty then managed to withstand some late pressure from Llanelli to claim a win in their last home game of the season.

Overall it wasn't the best of games but Dale MacIntosh rolled back the years with some big hits and Neil Jenkins demonstrated some good goal kicking skills. Also Richard Fussell again impressed - definitely one to look out for in the future and Duncan Bell had a good game in front of the Ponty fans before he moves to Bath.

Good Luck next season Dunc!

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