Pontypridd v Ebbw Vale – Match Report

Pontypridd picked up a 31-3 bonus point win against Ebbw Vale at Sardis Road, a result that takes them up to 3rd in the Indigo Premiership Cup East.

Pontypridd took the lead in the opening seconds of the game. Straight from kick off an Ebbw Vale clearing kick was charged down and Dale Stuckey was on hand to gather before crossing the whitewash. The conversion from Ben Burnell drifted wide.

Ebbw Vale looked to hit back straight after, making inroads into Pontypridd’s 22 but some strong defence saw Ponty hold out and win the turn over. A 50/22 from Stuckey deep inside of his own half put Ponty into a promising attacking position but possession was lost meters from Ebbw Vale’s line and the chance was lost. Ponty won a penalty 30m out after Ebbw Vale were penalised for holding on and Burnell made no mistake from the tee to put Ponty 8-0 up.

The rest of the half saw both teams get into promising positions but neither side were unable to add to the scoreboard, Pontypridd went in 8-0 ahead.

Half-time – Pontypridd 8-0 Ebbw Vale.

Ebbw got their first points of the game in the 46th minute when Richard Powell slotted a penalty over from just outside of the 22 after Ponty were penalised for holding on. Ebbw’s Alex Grey picked up from the base of a scrum and ran from his own half into Ponty’s 22 but some resolute defence saw the home side win the turn over and clear their lines.

The visitors were penalised for a late tackle on fly-half Burnell but he didn’t let it affect him as he slotted over a penalty from 40m to make it 11-3 to the home side. Pontypridd now had the momentum and breaks from Stuckey and Burnell brought Ponty deep into Ebbw’s half before a dangerous tackle from Ebbw’s Dan Hill saw him yellow carded before Burnell extended the lead from the tee.

Pontypridd made the man advantage pay when a pass from Burnell put Llywarch Ap Myrddin in at the corner, the conversion drifted wide but the score was now 19-3 in favour of the home side. Burnell came close to crossing the whitewash himself but he was hauled down a metre out after a high tackle from Jordan Thomas. Thomas was sent to the sin-bin and Ponty were awarded a penalty try.

Stuckey got his second of the game and Pontypridd’s bonus point try when Iwan Pyrs Jones made a break before finding Ap Myrddin who carried deep into Ebbw’s half. The ball was then recycled before finding Stuckey who crossed in the corner. The conversion drifted wide from a tough angle. That was the end of the scoring for the afternoon with Pontypridd coming out as comfortable winners on the scoreboard.

Full-time Pontypridd 31-3 Ebbw Vale.

Pontypridd are back in action next Saturday (13th) as they travel to the Wern to take on Merthyr, 2:30pm kick off.

– Adam Cleary

Pontypridd:

15. Morgan Richards (Llywarch ap Myrddin). 14. Iwan Pyrs Jones. 13. Morgan Sieniawski (c). 12. Bradley Roderick (Ceri Morris) – (Jack Pope on for Ceri Morris). 11. Dale Stuckey. 10. Ben Burnell. 9. Joel Raikes (Dafydd Buckland).

1. Ben Stephens (Tom Devine). 2. Ieuan Morris (Rob Jones). 3. Morgan Bosanko (Tom Harper). 4. Kristian Parker. 5. Chris Dicomidis. 6. Cally James. 7. Sion Parry (Sam Evans). 8. Joe Miles.

Subs: 16. Rob Jones. 17. Tom Devine. 18. Tom Harper. 19. Jack Pope. 20. Sam Evans. 21. Dafydd Buckland. 22. Ceri Morris. 23. Llywarch ap Myrddin

Tries: Stuckey x 2, ap Myrddin, Penalty Try

Penalties: Burnell x 3

Ebbw Vale:

15. Dan Haymond. 14. Dafydd Howells. 13. Dom Franchi. 12. Ethan Phillips. 11. Jordan Thomas. 10. Ryan Evans. 9. Jack Harvey

1. Luke Garrett. 2. Conor Chapman. 3. Dave Whiting. 4. Ethan Doyle. 5. Dan Hill. 6. Alex Grey. 7. Dawid Rubasniak. 8. Lewis Young.

Subs: 16. Mikhail Blake. 17. Joel Harris. 18. Scott Evans. 19. Harry Harding. 20. Matthew Flanagan. 21. Lewis K Williams. 22. Richard Powell. 23. Mike Powell

Penalty: Richard Powell

Golden Bob MOTM: Ben Stephens

WRU MOTM: Ben Burnell