Bedwas 12 Pontypridd 21

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

The game started badly for Pontypridd when the Bedwas forwards forced their way over the line to score after just two minutes of play. Grant Harrington seemed to have got under the ball as Ben Flower tried to ground it, but the referee awarded the try and the conversion was added by Jason Tovey. 

Pontypridd’s first chance to put points on the board came in the eighth minute, when they were awarded a penalty, but Neil Burnett missed the kick. The next 25 minutes then belonged almost completely to the home side. They almost got over the Ponty line on two occasions, and one attack down the right was judged to have been halted illegally by Geraint Lewis, who was shown the yellow card – a harsh decision under the circumstances.  

Another attack by the home side saw lock Grant Harrington and the Bedwas right wing chasing the ball down field. It should have been no contest, but the ball eventually bounced into touch on the five metre line. Pontypridd could hardly get out of their own half, and when they did the attacks went nowhere. A dropped goal attempt by Burnett on the half hour just went wide, but otherwise there were few scoring chances for the visitors. 

However, Pontypridd began to exert some pressure of their own in the closing minutes of the first half, and were awarded a penalty in the 34^th minute when Bedwas went offside. Neil Burnett kicked the goal from out on the right to put the first points on the board for Ponty. The half therefore ended with the score at 7-3, and Pontypridd could consider themselves lucky to have got away so lightly. 

Pontypridd started the second half with a fairly stiff breeze at their backs, and a good kick by Matt Hutchings put them on the Bedwas five metre line. Sustained pressure from the forwards almost got the ball over the line on a couple of occasions, with Sam Hobbs driving particularly well. Eventually the ball was worked out to the right, and Dan Hitchings got over in the corner for a good try. The conversion failed, but Ponty were in the lead for the first time in the game. 

Just as Bedwas dominated the first half, so now the visitors took over in the second half. Excellent lineout work by Grant Harrington, Nathan Strong and the dominating Chris Dicomidis, and good forward drives, kept the home side on the back foot. However, a tendency to over elaborate by the backs, and some sloppy passing sometimes spoiled good attacks.  

Dan Hitchings almost got over for his second try after 55 minutes, but desperate defence kept Ponty out until the 59^th minute. Then a good forward drive by Sam Hobbs ended with Nathan Strong burrowing through a pile up to touch down on the line. Burnett kicked the conversion to put Pontypridd 7-15 in the lead. 

Although putting a lot of pressure on the home defence, careless play by Pontypridd often allowed Bedwas not only to clear their lines but also to launch attacks of their own. On one such occasion Ponty lost the ball at a ruck in the middle of the park, Bedwas hoofed it down the field, and after some forward pressure the ever busy Deri Mattravers crashed over the line for a try. Fortunately Jason Tovey missed a very kickable conversion to leave the score at 12-15 in the 67^th minute of the game. 

Pontypridd continued to have the edge on their opponents in the last ten minutes or so, but some terrible kicking and more careless play kept Bedwas in the game. A poor pass to Neil Burnett caught the stand-off dreaming as the ball sailed past him, and when he woke up and recovered the ball he was forced to hang on and give away a penalty which would have drawn the game. Memories of last season flashed through the Pontypridd supporters’ minds, but the kick was missed and we could all breath again. 

Burnett more than made up for his error in the 78^th minute when Pontypridd were awarded a penalty for offside, and he kicked a good goal to take the score to 12-18. Neil then repeated the feat four minutes later when Bedwas were penalised for hands in the ruck, and Pontypridd were home and dry by 12-21. 

This was an unconvincing performance by the Pontypridd team, and although they were the better side and deserved their victory, there was much food for thought for the coaches. Matthew Hutchings had a solid game at full back, and the pack went well for most of the game. Sam Hobbs and Chris Dicomidis stood out amongst the forwards, with Ian Poley, Grant Harrington and Captain Strong not far behind.

Neath 42 Bridgend 6

WHAT Bridgend would give to have some of the quality that champions Neath once more possess. The Ravens gave it their best shot at a ground they last achieved victory on February 13, 1982, but it was never going to be enough. While the Blacks have made high-calibre signings, Bridgend have been forced to cut their cloth and give youth its head. Teenage back rowers Rory Pitman and Jonathan Jones hold out hope for the future, but it was asking a lot of them to compete against the likes of Wales Sevens stars Lee Beach and James Merriman. Captain Beach and Merriman were catalysts in a Neath victory that was accompanied by a bonus point.
Fly-half Arwel Thomas, who collected 15 points with the boot, and wing Kevin James were the others who stood out, while replacement centre Stephen Thomas was a high-profile impact player. “Hopefully, it will soon become a case of the chances that we missed out on here being taken,” said Neath’s new senior coach Jason Forster, who switched from Doncaster Knights back in June. “But all the hard work that the squad performed during the summer came to fruition. “Special attention was paid to organisational skills – following the pre-season defeat against Plymouth Albion – and it was great to make a statement on the opening day of the season.” Bridgend team manager Hugh Williams-Jones pointed to the difference in quality between the respective squads. “Neath have obviously recruited well this summer and they deserved victory,” he said. “Bridgend don’t possess any superstars, but what we have got are players who want to represent the club. “I felt we pressurised Neath during the second half and steadier finishing would have seen us get a few tries. “We look to play an enjoyable 15-man game and the way the ball was moved and retained provided plenty of encouragement.” The only time Bridgend seemed capable of avoiding a 27th successive Gnoll defeat was when captain and full-back Gareth David landed two early penalties. But two first-half tries from James and a touchdown from wing partner Aled Bevan sent the Blacks into a clear 28-6 lead at the turnaround. Replacement centre Stephen Thomas registered the bonus-point try in the 50th minute, only for the Ravens to manage territorial advantage for 25 minutes without scoring. In the final minute, wing James – who returned to Neath from Cornish Pirates a year ago – sailed over for a hat-trick try.

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