Cardiff 20 Pontypridd 24

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

Cardiff got out of the starting blocks at pace, creating an overlap try for hooker Michael Leman within the first minute of play. Ponty were looking strong in the scrums, giving them a platform to advance, but despite a series of short charges towards the home line, failing to register a score. A cross kick aimed at Daniel Hitchings could not be gathered by the Ponty winger, another scoring chance going begging. A significant amount of pressure applied by the Valleys team was finally rewarded as outside half Paul Matthews slotted over a penalty.

The game was being played in a constant and heavy drizzle, and thus blighted by inevitable handling errors. Paul Matthews was varying his options well from the pivot role for Ponty, his team maintaining their territorial advantage, but Cardiff then striking back with a counter attack from deep and at pace. Ponty in turn instigated a kick and rush offensive, centre Dafydd Lockyer going close to scoring. For all their efforts, Ponty had to settle for another Paul Matthews penalty to put points on the board, edging into a lead of 5pts to 6 with nineteen minutes gone. The visitors were still dominant in the set pieces, but the slippery conditions proving to be agreat leveller, the ball splicing off boot and spilling from hand at regular intervals.

A snap attack down the flank by Ponty set Morgan Stoddart off on a strong run, the full back claiming a try out wide. Ponty were maintaining a foot-hold in the home half, but fly half Matthews skewing wide a penalty attempt. Cardiff were under pressure and forced to infringe, their number eight James Malpas consigned to the sin bin for his indiscretions, and Paul Matthews this time on target with a penalty from closer range. The home side were kicking for territory, but rarely threatening, whilst Ponty responded with a dynamic cross field run by Daniel Hitchings, the ball shipped out for centre Gavin Dacey to cross for a try in the corner. Cardiff set up a late phase of pressure, effectively driving on from a line out for lock Chris Stamatakis to claim a touchdown, narrowing the home team’s deficit at the interval to 10pts to 19.

Cardiff maintained their momentum as play resumed, working on a driving game, but stopped short by a committed Ponty defence. The referee’s decisions were now going Cardiff’s way, frustrations boiling over into the odd fracas. As lock Damian Welsh poached line out possession on the opposition throw, Ponty created a platform for a sweet back line move which sent winger Chris Clayton over for a try in the corner. Both teams in fairness were attempting to play rugby despite the conditions, but Cardiff’s most effective ploy still being the “ball up the jumper” driving mauls. A robust shunt over the line resulted in another collective try for the home pack, claimed by lock Stamatakis.

With Chris Dicomidis now on in place of Grant Harrington, Ponty tried hard to get back into contention, but the game largely a lottery in the wet. The visitors were again forced back into defensive duties, making hard work of clearing their lines, as Gareth Jones came on for Tom Dickens, and prop Neil Jones – on permit from Treorchy – for Stuart Williams. The Blue and Blacks mauls and driving line outs were still the dominant factor in the game, the ball then moved out wide for winger Jonathan Hill to claim a try.

There was now all to play for going into the final ten minutes, with Ponty struggling to achieve a forward platform or to make any advances. Finally galvanised into action, the Valley Commandos launched a counter offensive from deep, with Darren Berry now on for Chris Clayton and Ben Rose for Damian Welsh. Ponty were now maintaining a field position in the home half, although Paul Matthews was just off target with a wide angle penalty attempt. The visitors finished the game strongly, showing great character right to the last minute of the season, and claiming a satisfying away victory by 20pts to 24.

Ebbw Vale 14-36 Pontypridd

From IC Wales

PONTYPRIDD look almost certain to hold onto third place in the Premiership after giving a good display in a lively match despite having 12 changes from their cup-winning line-up.

Before the game began the players, spectators and 31 former Ebbw Vale players, including Steve Lewis from the WRU, paid their respects to the former Vale and Wales forward Clive Burgess, who will be buried today.

After an opening penalty by Bryan Shelbourne, Pontypridd took the lead when wing Dan Hitchings shrugged off his opposite number Andre Bevan to score wide out, Jason Pocock stepped up to land a good conversion.

Within three minutes it was Ponty's other wing Darren Berry who chased a kick to the corner for another well-taken try.

Shelbourne placed another penalty before back-chat from the Steelmen gave Pocock the chance to place his second goal.

Another penalty followed for Pocock, but Shelbourne, after one miss, replied with a similar goal and then Pocock landed a bigger shot for a 21-9 interval lead.

A magnificent run by Vale wing Simon Hunt almost brought the student a try, yet minutes later, his indiscretion allowed Pocock the chance to kick another superb goal.

Vale, with Craig Cleaver coming on as a replacement and stirring his side, came back, but Ponty responded as another replacement, Morgan Stoddart, sent lock Chris Dicomides galloping over.

The best was to come as Stoddart gave to Hitchings on halfway and the wing produced an absolute gem of a try that Paul Matthews converted, though Bevan scored Vale's try in the final minute.

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