By Andrew Collins
April 22 2006

Cardiff lost the age-old rivalry match against Ponty on Friday, as the cup run comes to an end.

It was a great first half performance from Howard Stones men, crossing twice in the first half through Geraint Morris and Michael Leaman. But a much poorer second period saw the Blue and Blacks come away without a single point as Ponty took control.

Cardiff went behind 9 minutes in, completely against the run of play, when a soft break-away try was conceded to Lockyear, though it was impressive centre Tom Reiley's break that made the oppurtunity. Dai Flannagan, who had a very good match, slotted over the conversion.

Despite dominating all over the pitch, Cardiff failed to score in the opening in the first quater of an hour, but when a penalty was awarded, the desicion to go for touch proved to be the right one. A great catch and drive from the forward resulted in Michael Leaman going over at a rate of knots with the pack playing exceptionally well.

Cardiff were making full use of their flankers, with Malpas, Mark Lewis and Gravell all playing supurbly well in the lose, never taking a step backwards. Noteable performances were particularly clear from Nick Macleods varied running game (though his kicking was poor), Chris Stamatakis' excellant line-out work and Michael Leamans work around the feild and line-out throwing.

Macleod's conversion was deemed unsuccesful by touchjudges, though having seen the kick again on TV, it's clear that an extra 2 points hould've been awarded. However, he was on target shortly after, to give Cardiff an 8-7 lead.

But another soft try was conceded, as Ponty made one of their few visits to the Cardiff half. The move was started by scrum half Gareth Jones quick break, but the resulting play seemed very much unfai as the ball was clearly knocked forward.

Leighton Davies carried the ball from the resulting maul, but following a tackle from a cardiff defender, he knocked on, however, when Sean Roberts collected the ball from the ground and strolled over, it was to much amaze that the try was infact given, the ball being deemed as knocked out of his hand in the tackle, a claim that is at best weak.

Cardiff did get their own slice of good fortune however, to even out the game. More great fowrad play brought about a penalty, and James Malpas' fantastic run brought his side up to the 5 meter line. Numerous charges later, Geraint Morris went over from close range, though TV replays do show that the ball was not grounded. Macleod missed the conversion meaning they went in at half time 13-14 down, 2 tries a piece (though it should've been 15-14 in Cardiff's favour).

Half Time

Cardiff RFC 13 Pontypyrdd 14

As much as the first half was all about cardiff, the second was all about Ponty, however, you couldn't help but feel it was the B&B's poor performance rather than Ponty turning on the style.

The Cardiff defence turned 6's and 7's, and Ponty were by far the better side in the second half. The capital lost their composure, and looked clueless in their attack. It was stark contrast from the first 40 minutes in which Cardiff played such open and expansive rugby.

Ponty piled on the pressure and played their game very well, pinning the Arms Park outfit back into their own half, and not allowing them the time or space to create any sort of attack. However, they failed to make the most of their possesion, simular to Cardiff in the first, but the telling difference was the penlty count as Dai Flannagan slotted home 3 to win it for Pont.

Cardiff did go out all gun blazing in fairness, coming so close to scoring 2 times in injury time, but it wasn't to be, and so their regional partners go to the Millenium Stadium for the Konica Minolta Cup Final in May.

Half Time

Cardiff RFC 13 Pontypyrdd 23