Match Report – Magnificent Ponty put on a show in front of the cameras
Pontypridd came away from the Timbuild Brewery Field with an emphatic, nine try 54-17 victory over the Bridgend Ravens.
An early break from Chris Dicomidis took Ponty deep into the Bridgend 22 and referee Ben Breakspear awarded the away side a penalty. Winger Dale Stuckey made no mistake with his attempt at goal and gave the visitors an early lead.
Bridgend came close to scoring their first try of the game when scrum half Dylan Davies made a break, but he was hauled down just short of the line and lost the ball in the process.
Ponty won a penalty deep in Bridgend’s 22 after Ceri Morris was taken out late off the ball after putting a kick through for Joel Raikes. From the resulting penalty Ponty kicked to touch and prop Tom Harper crashed over from the driving maul. The conversion from Stuckey was missed but Ponty led by eight.
The Ravens hit back soon after when fly half Paul Short crossed for a fine individual try. Short converted his own try and it was a one point game.
Pontypridd were awarded a penalty try when Bridgend centre Joseph Gatt was penalised for not being ten after a Pontypridd tap and go. Gatt was sent to the sin bin and Ponty led by two scores.
Ponty capitalised on Bridgend being down to fourteen men when hooker Rob Jones burrowed over for their third score of the game. Stuckey’s conversion was good and Ponty led by fifteen.
In an end to end first half, the Ravens hit back with a try in the corner from Stuart Floyd Ellis, the touchline conversion from Short was good and the home side were back in the game.
Pontypridd immediately responded and crossed through full back Cole Swannack after an impressive solo chip and chase, Stuckey’s conversion attempt drifted wide.
Bridgend cut the deficit to ten soon after when replacement Owen Howe slotted a penalty from long range.
However, Ponty scored their fifth try of the evening when fly half Ceri Morris crossed on the stroke of half time. Stuckey’s conversion went wide but Ponty had a comfortable lead at half time.
HALF TIME – Bridgend Ravens 17-32 Pontypridd
Pontypridd began the second half like they finished the first and crossed for their sixth of the evening when scrum half Joel Raikes scored. Stuckey’s conversion was missed but Ponty were now 20 points ahead.
Pontypridd extended their lead further and crossed for their seventh try of the game when Garyn Payne used his power to crash over. Jake Lloyd’s conversion went wide.
Some quick thinking from Joel Raikes put Dale Stuckey in for Pontypridd’s eighth of the evening. The conversion from Lloyd went wide.
Pontypridd finished the scoring with a try from winger Jac Davies who ran in from 50 meters. Lloyd’s conversion was good.
FULL TIME – Bridgend Ravens 17-54 Pontypridd
Match report – Adam Cleary
Pontypridd:
15. Cole Swannack. 14. Jac Davies. 13. Bradley Roderick (Jake Lloyd). 12. Garyn Payne (Llywarch ap Myrddin). 11. Dale Stuckey. 10. Ceri Morris. 9. Joel Raikes (Dafydd Buckland)
1. Ben Stephens (Tom Devine). 2. Rob Jones (Ieuan Morris). 3. Tom Harper (Morgan Bosanko). 4. Kristian Parker ©. 5. Chris Dicomidis (James Little). 6. Cally James (Cai James). 7. Sion Parry. 8. Joe Miles
Subs: 16. Ieuan Morris. 17. Tom Devine. 18. Morgan Bosanko. 19. James Little. 20. Cai James. 21. Dafydd Buckland. 22. Jake Lloyd. 23. Llywarch ap Myrddin
Tries: Harper, Penalty Try, Rob Jones, Swannack, Ceri Morris, Raikes, Payne, Stuckey, Jac Davies
Conversions: Stuckey x 1, Lloyd x 1
Penalty: Stuckey x 1
Bridgend:
15. Edd Howley. 14. Cameron Ellis. 13. Joseph Gatt. 12. Tom Morgan. 11. Stuart Floyd Ellis. 10. Paul Short. 9. Dylan Davies
1. Rhodri Apsee. 2. Rhydian Jenkins. 3. Cai Lewis. 4. Hemi Barnes. 5. Kieran Martin. 6. Aled Evans. 7. Rob Dudley Jones (c). 8. Dafi Davies
Subs 16. Gareth Harvey. 17. Owen Jordan. 18. Cori Phillips. 19. Ross Fox. 20. Travis Huntley. 21. Chris Williams. 22. Matthew Jones. 23. Owen Howe
Tries: Paul Short, Stuart Floyd Ellis
Conversion: Short x 2
Penalty: Howe
Referee: Ben Breakspear
Assistant referees: 1-Rhys Jones, 2-Simon Harris, 3-Kath Pritchard
TMO: Greg Morgan
WRU Man of the Match: Sion Parry
