Prem Review - 13th Nov

By Zippy
November 15 2004

Review of the weekends action in the Welsh Premiership. Bridgend lost to a last minute conversion against Cross Keys but Ponty won well at home to Llanharan, for details read on.

Pontypridd 45 Llanharan 9

By www.Pontypriddrfc.com

Latching on to a loose ball on the deck, Ponty set off on a burst upfield, a run down the flank by Jason Pocock finding Richard Fussell in support to cross for an early try, which Pocock converted. Llanharan responded with a brief offensive, rounded off with a penalty kicked from in front of the posts by centre Wayne Jervis.

Despite being under some pressure in the scrums, Ponty laid claim to a good share of possession, but without the momentum to breach their opponents' defence. Indeed it was Llanharan who next posted points on the board, again through a penalty kicked by Wayne Jervis. Ponty kept play up in the visitors' half, but were so far failing to dominate or to threaten the Llanharan line. A series of attacking line outs and drives kept Ponty on the front foot, dynamic flanker Rhys Shellard at last bursting through for a try from a quick tap penalty, extending the home team's advantage to 12pts to 6 with a half hour gone 

Ponty now attempted to up the pace of the game during a frenetic passage of play, but a Jason Pocock penalty attempt unluckily rebounding off a post. The Valley Commandos were putting in a big effort to carry the ball up to their opponents, a good phase of support play rounded off with a successful penalty kicked by Pocock. Giving their threequarters plentiful opportunities to run with the ball, and by far the more creative force on the field, Ponty were foiled only by the odd handling error. A yellow card dished out to lock Chris Martenko for over vigorous use of the elbow brought the first half to a rather disappointing close, but Ponty looking good for their advantage of 15pts to 6.

Llanharan drew first blood after the break courtesy of a straight forward penalty kicked by Wayne Jervis. It was tit for tat as Ponty responded with a foray upfield, giving Jason Pocock the opportunity to kick a penalty of his own. The second period so far was a low key affair in comparison to the first, with neither side generating much momentum in attack. As Chris Martenko returned from his exile in the sin bin, Mark Lewis also came on in place of Wayne O'Connor.

A darting break from centre Tom Riley at last picked up the pace of the game, gaining Ponty a position in their opponents’ twenty-two from which Jason Pocock slotted over another penalty.  Ponty once more looked to step up a gear, a searing break by winger Richard Fussell looking good for a try, but the pass to support runner Rhys Shellard going to ground. The home team were bristling with attacking intent, full of running, but still unable to convert the theory of their all out offensive into the reality of scoring points. At last able to create an overlap out wide, Darren Berry was released on a run down the flank, with Jason Pocock in support to claim a deserved try.

A double substitution saw Stuart Williams and Ben Phillips coming on for Gerald Cox and Duane Goodfield, as Ponty continued to press forward in attack. A fast and loose phase of play was rounded off with a try for flanker Rhys Shellard, the score converted by Pocock. With Carl Thomas now on for Paul John, Ponty for once sat back to defend their own twenty-two, going into the final ten minutes of play. More movement off the bench saw Lee Evans on for Dan Godfrey and Morgan Stoddart for Lloyd Warner, followed by Craig Hughes on in place of Dale McIntosh.

Ponty were striving hard to finish off on a high, a jinking run by hooker Ben Phillips setting up a counter attack, well finished by a solo run by Morgan Stoddart to claim a try. In a dramatic climax to an entertaining contest, Richard Fussell intercepted deep within his own half and set off on a cruising run to the try line, his try converted by Jason Pocock to register a resounding victory for Ponty by 45pts to 9.

Pontypridd:

15.Jason Pocock. 14.Darren Berry. 13.Tom Riley. 12.Lloyd Warner (Morgan Stoddart). 11.Richard Fussell. 10.Richard Langmead. 9.Paul John. cpt. (Carl Thomas).

1.Gerald Cox (Stuart Williams). 2.Duane Goodfield (Ben Phillips). 3.Geraint Liddon. 4.Dale McIntosh (Craig Hughes). 5.Chris Martenko. 6.Wayne O’Connor (Mark Lewis). 7.Rhys Shellard. 8.Dan Godfrey (Lee Evans).

Pontypridd		(15)45-9(6)		Llanharan	FT
Tries: Shellard 2 Fussel 2 Pocock Stoddart
Cons: Pocock 3
Pens: Pocock 3				Pens: Jervis 3

Bridgend 21-23 Cross Keys

The Western Mail

CROSS KEYS stole an injury-time victory at the Brewery Field thanks to Gethin Worgan, who slotted over the touchline conversion of a try by Chris Gould.

The outcome of a game spoiled by too many mistakes and stoppages could have gone either way, but Keys enjoyed the rub of the green and Bridgend failed to make the most of their chances.

The first half lasted an hour after Scott Roberts and Wil Thomas both had to receive careful attention on the field from the expert Brewery Field medical team before being taken to hospital.

Bridgend deserved better than their 10-6 lead at the interval and created more chances in the second half as well but battling Keys were always close enough to be a real threat.

The turning point came when Keys brought on young half-backs James Pizey and Owain Beddiscombe and changed tactics to a more adventurous game.

Earlier their tight approach with Scott Mitchell kicking to the corners had brought territorial gain but only nine points from the boot of Worgan while the Ravens ran from the start but could only manage a try by debutant Stephen Thomas.

Rhys Peebles supported Beddiscombe on the inside and just managed to roll over for a try.

Former Celtic Warrior Phil Booth crashed over from a driving maul to restore the lead Bridgend had held for all but nine minutes and a Gareth David penalty should have been enough for victory.

But Keys never gave up hope and levelled it with the Gould try before Worgan stepped up to clinch the late victory.

Bridgend		(10)21-23(6)		Cross Keys	FT
Tries: Thomas. Booth				Tries: Gould Peebles
Cons: David				Cons: Worgan 2
Pens: David 3				Pens: Worgan 3

Welsh Premiership November 15, 2004
		P	W	D	L	PTS
1	Neath	12	12	0	0	36
2	Newport	13	11	0	2	33
3	Llanelli	13	11	0	2	33
4	Swansea	13	8	0	5	24
5	Carmarthen	12	7	0	5	21
6	Cross Keys	12	7	0	5	21
7	Aberavon	10	7	0	3	21
8	Bridgend	13	6	0	7	18
9	Ebbw Vale	12	6	0	6	18
10	Pontypridd	12	5	1	6	16
11	Cardiff	11	5	0	6	15
12	Llandovery	12	5	0	7	15
13	Bedwas	12	4	0	8	12
14	Pontypool	13	3	1	9	10
15	Llanharan	12	2	0	10	6
16	Newbridge	11	2	0	9	6
17	Caerphilly	13	1	0	12	3