Maesteg 26 Bridgend 16

The Western Mail

IT was the final season of the four-point try and Maesteg gained their only previous league win over old rivals Bridgend, writes Tony Poole.

The year in question was 1992 when, on April 25, a Huw Woodland try, allied to 14 points from the boot of Resolven product David Williams, carried the Old Parish to an 18-15 home victory over the Ravens.

Fast-forward 15 years and only a 17th victory in the last 81 meetings with Bridgend should keep Maesteg in the Premiership for another year.

However, the relegation situation remains an emotive subject with the latest rumour suggesting that the Premiership will revert to 16 clubs for their campaign next season.

It would lead to a reprieve for Bedwas, who are threatening to take the WRU to court, but the sides set to emerge as regional first division champions - namely Beddau and Bonymaen - have failed to hit the union's ground criteria target.

But, on the evidence of Maesteg's display against the Ravens, they deserve a third season in the top flight and would really merit their place - however many teams would be contesting the division then.

The home forwards, expertly led by flanker Ian Boobyer, outwitted a younger Bridgend eight, with fly-half Luke Richards mustering 16 points.

No 8 Karl Hocking registered a 129th try - making him the league's top try scorer of all-time - and he was soon followed over the line by full-back Andrew Hutchings.

The only time Bridgend threatened was when they opened scoring in the 18th minute against the run of play, with a peach of a try from scrum-half Nicky Griffiths, but after that it was somewhat one-way traffic in the battle between these rivals.

Glamorgan Wanderers 10 Pontypridd 8

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

For the third game in succession we have to report on a defeat for our team, and it doesn’t get any easier. Pontypridd probably had well over two-thirds of the possession and an even greater advantage in terms of territory, but the only statistic that counted – the scoreline – went against us.

The sun shone at the Memorial Ground in Ely, and there was just the slightest suggestion of a breeze. There was something of an end-of-season feel about the game, despite its importance for Pontypridd. Supporters of both sides relaxed in the sunshine, the Wanderers forwards warmed up in the car park, and the two teams had to walk fifty yards or so from the dressing rooms to the field. It was just like the good old days of amateur rugby, when enjoyment was the only reward for players and supporters alike. Lovely!

Then the game began. The first half can be summarised in a few words. Pontypridd attacked strongly from the start, scrummaged purposefully, and a try looked certain to come. Unfortunately we too often lost the ball in contact, and the Wanderers defence was sound. Jason Pocock kicked a penalty after about ten minutes, and Charlie Johnson of the Wanderers kicked a penalty after about thirty minutes. Both kickers also missed one penalty apiece. Three points all at half time.

Pontypridd again started the second half well, and the home side spent most of the half defending in their twenty-two metre area. Attack after attack was launched, but once again Wanderers defended like furies. The Pontypridd attacks also had a certain predictability about them, and posed few real problems for the defence. The ball was often recycled all too slowly, and gave the opposition plenty of time to line up their targets.

The break can after about fifteen minutes when Jason Pocock caught a loose kick out of defence, and quickly moved the ball left along the threequarters. Gavin Dacey was almost through, and in the end the reliable Chris Clayton was there to score the try. Jason miswsed a difficult conversion, but at least Ponty were in the lead again and well on top of the game.

More Pontypridd attacks followed, with Nathan Strong going close and Chris Clayton almost getting another two tries. Surely the clinching score must come soon? Then, with about ten minutes to go the Wanderers made their only excursion into the Pontypridd twenty-two metre area. They stayed there for only a few minutes, but came away with a try near the posts by lock Gareth Knight. Charlie Johnson kicked an easy conversion, and Ponty were down by 10-8 with time running out.

The final minutes, with referee Nigel Owens properly playing out a long period of injury time, saw the visitors desperately try to get the score they needed to win the game. Eventually a difficult but kickable penalty was given to Kristian Baller, following a couple of missed kicks by Jason Pocock, and it hit the post! The gods were looking the other way today.

This was a game that Pontypridd should have won, given their domination of territory and possession. The pack went pretty well, with The Chief and the Strong-man the pick of the bunch. Nathan almost got a try, almost got a dropped goal, and generally battled for everything. A few time he had to be scraped up off the floor to return to the fray, but he never gave up.

In the backs Kristian Baller and Chris Clayton were always a danger to the opposition, and Dylan Jones had a decent game at No. 10 considering his long absence from the team. There was certainly no lack of effort, but it did all look a bit like playing-by-numbers at times.

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