Bridgend steal victory - Bridgend 33 - 32 Ponty

Bridgend 33 - 32 Pontypridd

Bridgend 33 - 32 Pontypridd

Bridgend just managed to beat Pontypridd even though they were behind for most of the game.

At the end of the first half Ponty held a 19 - 10 lead thanks to four penalties and a conversion from Jenkins and a try for winger Richard Fussell who has made a habit of scoring since he was called into the first team a couple of weeks ago. However, Bridgend were gifted a try when Jenkins did not have anyone in support around him when he passed a ball out leaving it fall into the hands of the Ravens who scored a try from it. Warlow converted and added a penalty but it was Ponty who held a nine point lead after dominating much of the play.

In the second half Jenkins increased Ponty's lead with a penalty but some poor defending allowed Cory Harris to cross for Bridgend. Replacement Gareth Cull added the conversion and a penalty to cut Ponty's lead to just two points.

Ponty again went into attacking mode and after numerous handling errors in open play from both teams Duncan Bell emerged with the ball at the 22 and went on a charge towards the tryline to score what will probably be his last try for Ponty and it was a score which he clearly enjoyed. Neil Jenkins extended the lead to nine points with a conversion and Ponty were looking safe.

However, Bridgend had a long spell in attack and after prop Chris Horsman had been sent to the bin, John Thiel re-entered the field after being substituted and scored a try out wide for the Ravens. Cull missed the conversion but the gap had been reduced to four points. Then came a blow to Ponty as they went behind right at the end when hooker Ben Phillips was adjudged to have grounded the ball over the line for Bridgend's fourth try. Cull again missed the conversion but a 30 - 29 lead with only injury time to play loked to have been enough for the home side.

There was however to be another twist in this match as Ponty again launched an attack leading to a penalty inside the Bridgend's 22 and as the clock showed that 82 minutes had been played, Jenkins decided to kick for goal. His attempt was successful and Ponty had retaken the lead by 32 - 30.

But the celebrations of what seemed to be a victory over next seasons partners was short lived as there was to be one more twist in the match. On 85 minutes Bridgend were awarded a penalty in Ponty's half and Cull struck the ball between the sticks to give Bridgend the victory by 33 - 32.

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