Prem Review 17th Feb

By Zippy
February 17 2005

Review of the action in the Welsh Premiership last night. Bridgend gained an 8th successive win at Ebbw Vale and Ponty won well at home to Pooler. For details read on

Ebbw Vale 20 Bridgend 33

The Western Mail

BRIDGEND made it eight successive victories in the Welsh Premier Division last night with a consummate success over Ebbw Vale at Eugene Cross Park.

Having moved into fifth place before last night's game, Bridgend consolidated that position against a Vale side which has now won only once in its last six.

Any chance of adding a second and a first home victory since Christmas was snuffed out in a one-sided first half that saw Bridgend rattle up 27 points. Admittedly, they fought back to make a game of it in the second half, but their lack of composure early on proved costly.

Having withstood some early pressure from the home side, Bridgend took the lead with their first serious attack. Vale full-back Andrew McLaughlan miscued a clearance kick inside his own 22 and, having won the line-out, the Ravens set up centre Chris Tossell who stepped out of a tackle five metres from the Vale line to score.

Gareth David converted and then swapped penalties with opposite number Jason Williams as Bridgend kept their noses in front.

Admittedly, the forward confrontation was, for the most part, equally contested. However, behind the scrum Bridgend were slick and particularly smooth with scrum-half Nick Griffiths and centre Ryan Howells a constant thorn.

Howells' incision on 23 minutes brought Bridgend's second try - right wing Grant Epton finishing off on the opposite flank after his centre had created the space by sucking in a collection of desperate defenders.

David's conversion from the touchline extended the lead and when the ambitious Howells scored himself, after tapping a penalty three metres out, Bridgend were home and dry.

David's second penalty added another pinch of salt to the Vale wound before the Steelmen suggested a comeback, of sorts, with a try either side of the interval.

Rhys Bowen bagged the first on the stroke of half-time after a driving line-out had splintered the Bridgend pack and outside-half Williams forced his way over in the 43nd minute after another line-out catch and drive had forced Bridgend back to their own line.

Williams converted both to suggest a complete turnaround was on the cards and then added a monster kick from six metres inside his own half. However, David's third penalty eased the Bridgend nerves and his fourth, seven minutes from time, completed the scoring.

Ebbw Vale (10)20-33(27) Bridgend FT
Tries:
Owen
Williams 		Tries:
Howells
Upton
Tossell
Cons:
Williams 2 		Cons:
David 3
Pens:
Williams 2 		Pens:
David 4

Ponty 46 Pontypool 5

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

With the referees arm directed against them, Ponty were sent back tracking into their own twenty-two, but holding out resolutely with their aggressive tackling. The home team struck back, seeking to create openings in midfield with some creative passages of play. A charge by no 8 Dan Godfrey, followed by a scything break from Tom Riley, sent full back Morgan Stoddart racing clear for a try, converted by Dai Flanagan. Pontypool launched a concerted offensive upfield, but their outside half Sam Mills pulling wide a penalty attempt. A destructive scrummage soon put Ponty back in the ascendancy, but Dai Flanagan off target with a penalty from thirty-five metres out.

The home team kept up their momentum, Flanagan stroking over a penalty from closer range, with eighteen minutes gone. Ponty were now relentless in their efforts to push into opposition territory, combining well to play through many phases. Some fine support and handling skills culminated with centre Tom Riley cutting through for a try, once more converted by Flanagan. With Dafydd Lockyear punching holes in midfield, Ponty set off on another barnstorming attack, winger Chris Clayton going close to scoring from a chip and chase.

With the game being played out exclusively in the visitors half, Ponty were well on top, showing some delightful touches, but let down by the odd knock on. Persistent in their efforts to attack, Ponty set off on another foray upfield, the ball shipped out to Chris Clayton who kicked ahead and grounded for a try, the score converted from the touchline by Dai Flanagan. Dominant in the scrums and poaching possession in the loose, Ponty remained well on top, fully deserving of their interval lead of 24 points without reply.

With Jason Pocock coming out in place of Morgan Stoddart, Ponty resumed the second period in attacking mode. Picking up the ball in broken play, no 8 Dan Godfrey set off on a race to the line from thirty metres out to claim a fine individual try, with forty-seven minutes gone.

An attempt by Pontypool to force their way back into contention was undone by their own indiscretion, as lock Darrell Cox was sent off for stamping. Normal service soon resumed as Ponty once more went on the offensive, a double substitution seeing Jason Lewis and Lee Evans coming on for Tom Riley and Wayne OConnor. With a few stoppages for injury, the game had now lost some of its earlier momentum, but with Pontypool making cautious advances into the home twenty-two, and a yellow card dished out to Ponty lock Dale McIntosh for foul play.

A concerted drive by the Pooler pack from a line out take resulted in a try claimed by flanker Lloyd Burns. With Stuart Williams now on for Gerald Cox, Ponty tried hard to rediscover their creative prowess, but too often spilling the ball in contact. A quick tap penalty taken by scrum half Gareth Jones at last sent Ponty cruising upfield, a charge down the flank rounded off with a try for prop Stuart Wiiliams. A further substitution saw Carl Thomas coming on for Gareth Jones, as Ponty continued to press forwards, led by a dynamic break from flanker Rhys Shellard.

Concerted pressure from the home team finally paid dividends as full back Jason Pocock arced in for an overlap try.

With Grant Harrington coming on in place of Dale McIntosh, the irrepressible Ponty marauders continued to dominate, a high cross kick from Dai Flanagan touched down in a scramble by prop Ryan Harford, and again converted by Flanagan. A late Pontypool onslaught came to nothing, heartily rebuffed by the home defenders, with Pontypridd running out emphatic victors by 46 pts to 5.

Pontypridd:

15.Morgan Stoddart (Jason Pocock). 14.Chris Clayton. 13.Tom Riley (Jason Lewis). 12.Dafydd Lockyear. 11.Richard Fussell. 10.Dai Flanagan. 9.Gareth Jones (Carl Thomas).

1.Gerald Cox (Stuart Williams). 2.Ben Phillips. 3.Ryan Harford. 4.Dale McIntosh cpt (Grant Harrington). 5.Chris Martenko. 6.Wayne OConnor (Lee Evans). 7.Rhys Shellard. 8.Dan Godfrey.

Pontypridd (24)46-5(0) Pontypool FT
Tries:
Riley
Clayton
Harford
Pocock
Godfrey
Stoddart
Williams 		Tries:
Burns
Cons:
Flanagan 4
Pens:
Flanagan


Welsh Premiership
February 17, 2005
P W D L PTS
1  Neath 20 17 0 3 51
2  Llanelli 23 16 0 7 48
3  Cross Keys 22 15 0 7 45
4  Newport 21 15 0 6 42
5  Bridgend 22 15 0 7 42
6  Swansea 22 12 2 8 38
7  Pontypridd 22 12 1 9 37
8  Carmarthen 20 12 1 7 37
9  Aberavon 19 11 0 8 33
10  Ebbw Vale 22 11 0 11 30
11  Cardiff 19 9 0 10 27
12  Pontypool 23 8 1 14 25
13  Bedwas 22 8 0 14 24
14  Llandovery 21 7 0 14 21
15  Caerphilly 23 4 0 19 12
16  Llanharan 22 3 1 18 10
17  Newbridge 21 4 0 17 9

Bookmark or share this story with: