Cup Review - 14th Jan
By Zippy
January 17 2006
Match reports from the 4th Round of the Konica Minolta Cup, Bridgend put in a gutsy performance at the Gnoll but lost 11-3, Ponty marched into the 5th round with a big win over Narbeth, for details read on.
Neath 11 Bridgend 3
South Wales Echo
FOR sheer cup drama the Gnoll was the place to be, but for Bridgend it ended in all too familiar disappointment.
This was the seventh cup meeting between the sides and the Ravens have won just once and they have gone down in all three meetings with the Welsh All Blacks this season.
In the end, it all probably came down to ground advantage as Neath extended a remarkable unbeaten home run against Bridgend to 25 matches.
But the result was on a knife edge until the 86th minute when James Hook landed his second penalty of the afternoon to stretch Bridgend's requirements to two scores.
"We created some really good opportunities to have won it," lamented Bridgend coach Chris Stephens.
"You can't afford to turn down chances when you play Neath and it's the old saying that you don't win matches if you don't take chances.
"It was a game on the edge right until the last minute so we are obviously disappointed it did not go our way."
Stephens pointed to the absence of influential flanker Adam Whitney as a huge blow to his side.
"Adam pulled out just before kick off.
"It was a massive blow, but not an excuse, as he is a big player for us and his absence meant we had to change things around."
Gareth David kicked Bridgend's three points via a first-half penalty, but the decisive moment arrived with only 15 minutes gone.
Former Welsh international fly-half Arwel Thomas, who is in a rich vein of form at present, created the opportunity for wing Neil Clapham who went over wide out.
Forward passes denied Gareth Morris and Jonathan Spratt further tries for Neath, but Bridgend also had their moments of disappointment, especially in the second period when they battered a stout Neath rearguard.
Nathan Budgett was held up just short of the Neath line, Ryan Howells was denied by a brilliant Clapham try-saving tackle, while David missed a kickable penalty and spurned another opportunity in pursuit of a try.
It was as close as that.
For photos of the game use the link:
http://community.webshots.com/user/photoden100/
Pontypridd 50 Narbeth 0
Pontypridd were bristling with attacking intent from the off, showing excellent handling skills in taking play right up to the visitors’ line. For all their early efforts, the home team failed to register a score, and were issued a warning as Narberth broke away on a counter offensive which required some last ditch tackles to stem its flow. Ponty struck back with serious intent, again showing faultless handling and support skills, allowing winger Chris Clayton to cut inside for a well taken try, the score converted by Dai Flanagan.
Ponty were now in rampant mood, centre Gavin Dacey just hauled into touch short of scoring. An effective combination of angles in midfield between outside half Dai Flanagan and his centres Matthews and Dacey again allowed Ponty to cut loose, the beneficiary being Chris Clayton, crossing for a try out wide. A quickly taken tap penalty kept up Ponty’s momentum, once more relentless in their attacking endeavours. Some sublime handling skills kept the home team in forward gear, full back Morgan Stoddart scything in for a try, converted by Flanagan.
Claiming clean line out possession, Ponty drove up to the visitors’ line, maintaining intense pressure, but just unable to push through for another score. A couple of uncharacteristic handling errors saw Ponty for once conceding ground, but their commitment in defence matching their ability in attack. Setting off on another offensive, Ponty forged a path down the flank, for winger Chris Clayton to claim his hat trick of tries, a wide angle conversion added by Dai Flanagan. Launching another forceful foray off the back of a scrum, Ponty set Morgan Stoddart up on a midfield break, his pass allowing winger Dan Hitchings to sprint clear for a try, rounding off a fine first half performance for the Valleys team, with a lead of 31 pts to nil to their credit.
Andy Parkinson came out for the second half in place of Morgan Stoddart, with Dai Flanagan reverting to full back and Paul Matthews to outside half. A series of hard drives by the Ponty pack took them over the visitors’ line, a try claimed by prop Gerald Cox and converted by Dai Flanagan. A dramatic kick and chase up the flank saw home winger Dan Hitchings going desperately close to scoring, Ponty remaining totally dominant in a one sided encounter. The Valleys outfit were still totally committed to all out attack, a gallop by lock Chris Martenko taking them upfield, Dan Hitchings launching an opportunist chip and chase foray to claim a try, a slide rule conversion to follow from Flanagan.
A triple substitution saw Ian Poley and Lee Evans coming on for Gerald Cox and Rhys Shellard , followed by Dafydd Lockyer in place of Dai Flanagan, and with Andy Parkinson slotting to full back. Despite all the changes made, Ponty remained dominant, but not the potent attacking force that they had been. A charge from Dafydd Lockyer saw the centre going close to scoring, but the ball recycled for back rowers Adam Powell and Nathan Strong to combine well, the latter crashing over for a try, Flanagan’s conversion attempt just rebounding off a post.