Pontypridd 31 vs Carmarthen Quins 24

Pontypridd opened their indigo Premiership league account with a hard-fought 31-24 victory over Carmarthen Quins at Sardis Road.

The visitors took an early lead when Quins’ outside centre Josh Davies made a break and his namesake Rhodri was on hand in support to cross under the posts. Jac Wilson added the extras from right in front.

Pontypridd got their first points of the game soon after when Diggy Bird slotted over a penalty from 45 meters after some good play saw them enter the Quins half.

Pontypridd closed the gap again when Bird made the Quins pay after the home side were awarded a penalty at scrum time.

Pontypridd took the lead soon after, an impressive penalty kick from Bird saw the hosts take the lead for the first time.

Quins soon hit back and re-took the lead when prop Steff Thomas crashed over, Wilson’s conversion was good.

Immediately after, Pontypridd got their first try of the game when Dale Stuckey crossed and Bird converted to put them in front by two points.

Bird extended Pontypridd’s lead with another penalty goal from long distance, his fourth successful penalty of the game.

The home side had the chance to extend their lead yet again but Bird’s penalty struck the upright and the visitors cleared.

That was the end of the action for the first half with Pontypridd going in 19-14 in front.

HALF TIME: Pontypridd 19-14 Carmarthen Quins

The visitors opened the scoring for the second half when fly half Wilson closed the gap to two points after Pontypridd were penalised for offside.

Pontypridd restored their five point advantage soon after when Bird slotted over yet another penalty from long distance.

A cross field kick looked as if it was about to find Joe Davies in space with the line at his mercy but an unlucky bounce saw the chance come to an end.

Bird extended Pontypridd’s lead again with his sixth successful penalty goal of the afternoon to take the home side two scores ahead.

Pontypridd were beginning to dominate possession and territory and nearly scored their second of the game when Stuckey made a break but his grubber kick was unable to find its way to Davies on the wing.

The home side did however extend their league when Bird scored his seventh penalty of the afternoon to take his team eleven points ahead.

Things went from bad to worse for the Quins when winger Dale Ford was yellow carded after a taking out a man in the air from the resulting kick off.

Pontypridd scored their eight penalty of the afternoon when Dale Stuckey’s effort from 40 meters out sailed over after a scrum penalty.

Quins crossed for a late consolation when prop Tyla Murvai crashed over off the back of a driving maul. Wilson’s conversion was good and the Quins sealed a losing bonus point.

FULL TIME : Pontypridd 31-24 Carmarthen Quins

Pontypridd are back in action next week when they travel north to face RGC 1404 at Parc Eirias next Saturday. Kick off is at 2:30pm.

Match Report – Adam Cleary

Pontypridd:

15. Llywarch ap Myrddin (Morgan Richards). 14. Joe Davies. 13. Bradley Roderick. 12. Ceri Morris. 11. Dale Stuckey. 10. Diggy Bird (Garyn Payne). 9. Dafydd Buckland (Dai Jones)

1. Ben Stephens (Tom Devine). 2. Nathan Huish (Ieuan Morris). 3. Morgan Bosanko (Tom Harper). 4.James Little. 5. Chris Dicomidis (Jack Pope). 6. Cai James. 7. Sion Parry (Cally James). 8. Kristian Parker ©

Subs: 16. Ieuan Morris. 17. Tom Devine. 18. Tom Harper. 19. Jack Pope. 20. Cally James. 21. Dai Jones. 22. Garyn Payne. 23. Morgan Richards

Try: Dale Stuckey

Conversion: Diggy Bird

Penalties: Bird x 7, Stuckey x 1

Carmarthen Quins:

15. Leon Randell, 14. Dale Ford, 13. Josh Davies, 12. Nick Reynolds, 11. Morgan Griffiths, 10. Jac Wilson, 9. Rhodri Davies

1. Steff Thomas, 2. Torin Myhill, 3. Connor Allen, 4. Ryan Bean, 5. Lee Taylor ©, 6. Ed Siggery, 7. Gethin Davies, 8. Lewys Millin

Subs: 16. Steff Phillips, 17. Rhys Lawrence, 18. Tyla Murvai, 19. Richard Bloomfield, 20. Caleb Salmon, 21. Nic Cudd, 22. Aron Hemmings, 23. Geraint Llewellyn

Tries: Rhodri Davies, Steff Morris, Tyla Murvai

Conversions: Jac Wilson x 3

Penalty: Jac Wilsom

Golden Bob: Diggy Bird

WRU MOTM: Cai James

Officials: Referee – Gareth Newman, Assistants – Richard Brace and Gerwyn Taylor