Prem Review - 10th Sep


By Zippy
September 12 2005

Match reports for Ponty and Bridgend this weekend, both sides kept up 100% records with Ponty recording a big win over last seasons champs Neath, for details read on.

Pontypridd 25 Neath 21

By www.PontypriddRFC.co.uk - Rygbi Pontypridd - Official Website / Y Wefan Swyddogol - The Valleys' Premier Team.

Neath spent some time camped in the Ponty half, advancing on the back of an effective rolling maul. As the ball was spread out wide an overlap was worked for centre Steve Thomas to cross for an early try, the conversion added by outside half James Hook.  The home team seemed nervous in their efforts to respond, until a scintillating break from scrum half Wayne Evans sent them charging into their opponents’ half. Some fine support work kept Ponty on the front foot, hooker Ben Phillips rounding off with a charge over the line, the score converted by Dai Flanagan

Neath resorted to another powerful maul to test the home defence, the game so far proving to be an intense physical encounter between two committed teams. A sprint off the back of a line out by Rhys Shellard again set Ponty on the offensive, Neath penalised for a deliberate knock on, with full back Arwel Thomas sin binned and Dai Flanagan converting the ensuing penalty for Ponty.  The home team were sniping around the fringes to take possession and showing a ferocity in their intentions to drive forwards, keeping up the momentum of the game. Another surge from Pontypridd saw centres Lockyer and Dacey punching the gain line, a clever chip through from Flanagan setting up winger Chris Clayton for a well worked try out wide.

Another excellent piece of vision from Dai Flanagan saw a cross kick hoisted to the flank for Clayton to gather and cross for another score, the conversion added by Flanagan, putting Ponty into an impressive lead of 22 pts to 7 with twenty-eight minutes gone. Neath were stung into action, a snap counter offensive giving outside half Hook an opportunity to hoist over a penalty, before Ben Phillips left the field injured, replaced by Leighton Davies.  The All Blacks were finishing the half strongly, pressurising the home defence, who had hooker Davies sin binned for infringing at a ruck. With Ryan Harford on as temporary front row cover, Ponty were soaking up a huge amount of pressure, and eventually conceding points to another penalty kicked by James Hook, notching up an interval score in Ponty’s favour by 22 pts to 13.

Gareth Jones came out for the second half in place of Morgan Stoddart, as Ponty made cautious advances into the visitors’ half., but failing to dominate with the referee’s decision invariably going against them. The game was still high on intensity, a rough and tumble scrap for possession, if lacking the fluency of the first period. It was the intelligent line kicking of Dai Flanagan which kept Ponty moving forwards, but as yet unable to threaten a score. Another neat break from Wayne Evans gave Ponty some momentum upfield, the move carried on by Gareth Jones but failing just short of the Neath line.

Danny Hodge now came off the bench for Dale McIntosh as Ponty continued to advance, showing up well in the scrums, with Ryan Harford also coming on in place of Ian Poley. The ferocity of the physical confrontation amongst the forwards continued, in a  game that had otherwise gone off the boil, with frustration creeping in and the officials in danger of losing control of the action. A series of attritional scrums  had the two packs up in each other’s faces, as Scott Roberts came on for Gerald Cox.

The game was now into its final quarter, scoreless so far in the second period, but still a full blooded clash between two fully committed teams. An advantage penalty awarded to Neath with a huge amount of ground gained in the process, allowed the Blacks’ outside half James Hook to stroke over a penalty, breaking the second half deadlock.  Adam Powell now came on for Chris Dicomidis, Ponty doing their utmost to generate some momentum in what was still a fairly scrappy affair. With Paul Matthews on for Dafydd Lockyer,  Ponty were guilty of yelding possession, failing to dominate in defending their fragile lead into the last ten minutes.

Struggling to claim good line out ball, Ponty were forced on to the back foot, defending doggedly within their own half, still bearing the brunt of the referee’s decisions. The clock continued to wind down to a tense climax to an enthralling encounter, but with Neath finally making pressure count, breaking through the home defensive ranks for winger Gareth Morris to claim a try. The crucial conversion  attempt from James Hook just fell short of the target,   Ponty hanging on grimly into injury time defending a one point lead.

Applying late pressure, Ponty were awarded a penalty which Dai Flanagan gratefully converted from in front of the posts, the verdict clinched at the death for the home team,  25 – 21 following a passionate premiership contest.

Pontypridd:

15.Morgan Stoddart (Gareth Jones). 14.Chris Clayton. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Dafydd Lockyer (Paul Matthews). 11.Jason Pocock. 10.Dai Flanagan. 9.Wayne Evans.

1.Gerald Cox (Scott Roberts). 2.Ben Phillips (Leighton Davies). 3.Ian Poley (Ryan Harford). 4.Dale McIntosh (Danny Hodge). 5. Chris Dicomidis (Adam Powell). 6.Lee Evans. 7.Rhys Shellard. 8.Nathan Strong.

Pontypridd 25 - 21
 Neath
Tries:
B Phillips, C Clayton 2		   Tries:
A Thomas, G Morris
Pens:
D Flanagan 2		   Pens:
J Hook 3
 
Cons:
D Flanagan 2		   Cons:
J Hook

 

Bridgend 37-29 Glamorgan Wanderers

 

The Western Mail

 

GLAMORGAN WANDERERS proved gritty opponents for Bridgend Ravens at the Brewery Field but never looked like stopping the Ravens making it two wins out of two in the Principality Premiership.

 

The Ravens had much the better set piece but the Wanderers had an abrasive and combative back-row in which Marcus Leach was outstanding and caused a lot of problems for the Ravens at the breakdowns.

 

Admittedly they were limited behind the scrum and relied on Stuart Lawrence for field position and points with his precision kicking.

 

And the Ravens didn't fire on all cylinders either so it was something of a stalemate in that area.

 

But standing out like a beacon for the Ravens was man-of-the- match Gareth David, shuffled to full back so far this season, who scored two tries, provided some great support play and landed all four conversions and three penalties for a match haul of 27 points.

 

The Ravens led 24-16 at half time and had the game sewn up well before the Wanderers grabbed two late tries to put a flattering edge on the final scoreline.

 

Ravens coach Chris Stephens said: "It wasn't our best performance against a plucky Wanderers side but I'm pleased with the win."

 

Wanderers coach Feliese Coetsee praised his players and said: "I can't fault their attitude and commitment.

 

"The team spirit is amazing and I think we showed we can compete at this level."

 

Take a look at some of the fans photos from:

 

http://community.webshots.com/user/baldraven

 

http://community.webshots.com/user/photoden

 

Bridgend 37 - 29
 Glamorgan Wanderers
Tries:
M Roper, G Williams, G David 2		   Tries:
R Thomas, M Sheppard, H Williams
Pens:
G David 3		   Pens:
S Lawrence 3
  Drops:
S Lawrence
Cons:
G David 4		   Cons:
S Lawrence