Pontypridd 28 Bridgend 17

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

In many ways, whatever happened in this game would be overshadowed by the wider occasion. During the week Simon King had formally notified the Board of Directors that he would be leaving to coach at Aberavon, therefore this was his last game with the Club. We all wish Simon the very best in his new career – provided that we beat Aberavon again twice next season!  

The BIG occasion, however, was that Dale McIntosh – “The Chief” – had finally decided to hang up his playing boots and take on the coaching mantle. We will be writing a major review of Dale’s career with the Club next weekend, so look out for it in the ‘Club News’ section. For the moment let us just say that he has now risen to second place in the pantheon of Pontypridd gods, only just behind the immortal Bob Penberthy in terms of what they signify for this great Club of ours – great players, honest men, and loyal to the end. Thanks Chief.  

Now for the game – there was lots of honest endeavour, hard tackling, and plenty of running by both sides. Pontypridd was on top for the first 60 minutes, had scored four excellent tries by the 45^th minute, but then lost its way. Bridgend never gave up, tackled like furies, and came back at the end to score three good tries of their own in the final ten minutes or so.  

Ponty’s first try came after a quarter of an hour following a good move down the right, with many players involved. The attack appeared to be forced into touch, but then flanker Justin Jones got the ball and went over, running around towards the post to make the conversion easier for Neil Burnett. Unfortunately, a little later, Kris Baller took a knock, and the full back was replaced by ever reliable Jason Pocock.  

The second try was a Dafydd Lockyer special, the big centre finishing off another good move with a burst through in the centre to cross under the posts. Burnett kicked the easy conversion, and then also improved on Justin Jones’ second try a few minutes later. This was good stuff, and it was 21-0 at half time.  

The second half started like the first finished, with Pontypridd attacking from everywhere, and a forward drive ended with Damien Welch diving over to clinch the touchdown. Neil again converted, and it was 28-0 after 45 minutes. Then it all went wrong somewhere. Pontypridd kept on attacking, with wave after wave of Black-and-White jerseys surging towards the Bridgend line – but most of it was happening somewhere between the opponents 22 metre line and the half way mark.  

There was no score between the 45^th and 70^th minutes, with Bridgend gradually coming more and more into the game as the Pontypridd attacks fizzled out. A new face, back row Robert Jones, came on briefly when Nathan Strong badly cut his elbow, and gradually Ponty went through the ritual front row substitutions, with Nick Eaves, Richard Emms and Sam Hobbs coming on. Paul Mathews took over from Dafydd Lockyer, who, as we all know, is leaving for Neath next season. A big thanks, again, to another big man and an excellent player. He will be sadly missed.  

The Bridgend pressure eventually paid off, with three tries coming in eleven minutes from Will Kershaw-Naylor, Tom Williams and Darren Simpson, the last one of which was converted by Mathew Jones. In the end there was great relief all round when the whistle blew and the game ended with Pontypridd winning by 28-17. In the last ten minutes Robert Jones came back on, and another new face in winger Gavin Ferguson also had a few minutes on the field.   

This writer thanks Simon and Paul for their help during the season, and thanks all the players for their great efforts throughout. We will be writing a full review of the season when the dust (literally - as far as the Sardis Road pitch is concerned!) has settled.

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