Tenby United 12-35 Pontypridd – Match Report

Pontypridd maintaind their pre-season momentum with a 12pts to 35 victory away at Tenby United, in an entertaining contest played out in four quarters and with a number of trialists on show.

The visitors applied early pressure with both scrum half Lucus Welch and winger Will Huggins going close to scoring, whilst Tenby themselves in the meantime had spurned a scoring opportunity from a catch and drive. Play was often disjointed as both teams attempted to implement their game plan, with Ponty at times struggling to secure an effective line-out platform. It was the hosts who finally broke the deadlock with a counter from loose play, full back Gwion Jones running in a try from half-way which was converted by Harry Rossiter to give his team a seven point lead going into the first break.

Ponty continued to apply pressure, still faltering at the line-out but going close from a catch and drive before Tenby turned over possession to counter. The visitors finally found their way to the whitewash, a miss pass in midfield allowing winger Will Huggins to touch down in the corner with outside half Jacob Symes adding the touchline conversion. Ponty were now moving up a gear or two, some impressive back line play putting Huggins in for another try which was again converted by Symes. The winger went close again from a quick tap penalty before the second quarter drew to a close with Ponty ahead by 7pts to 14.

It was more of the same from Ponty as the game progressed, turning the screw with a couple of penalty kicks to the corner before lock Mitch Barnard powered over, his try converted by Jacob Symes. Tenby regained some momentum, taking advantage of their opponents’ ill-discipline but failing to turn pressure into points during another disjointed period of play leading up to the third interval. The final quarter saw Ponty regain the initiative, capitalising as full back Ryan Williams crossed for a try which replacement outside half Sam Talbot converted. Another phase of effective back play put replacement winger Dale Stuckey over, with Talbot once more adding the extras. The final word fittingly went to the host team following late pressure, a series of drives culminating with hooker Jeff Young powering over for an unconverted try. Ponty’s trip to the Pembrokeshire seaside had proved a profitable one, coming away with a 12pts to 35 victory.

Tenby: 15.Gwion Jones. 14.Geraint Powell. 13.Jack Gooding. 12.Tom Edmonds. 11.Brad Cramb. 10.Harry Rossiter. 9.Dai Jones.

1.Ethan Morgan. 2.Kyle Rossiter. 3.Rob Luly. 4.Tom Barrass. 5.Alex Jenkins. 6.Lewis Tingay. 7.Dan Colley. 8.Jack Broadhurst.

Replacements: Liam Pugh; Kieran Machin; Fletcher Broadhurst; Gethin Bradney; Owain Butterworth; Will Davies; (Jeff Young).

Tries: Gwion Jones; Jeff Young.

Conversion: Harry Rossiter.

Pontypridd: 15.Ryan Williams. 14.Ed Thomas. 13.Ty Lewis. 12.Brandon Huntley. 11.Will Huggins. 10.Jacob Symes. 9.Lucus Welch.

1.Ben Stephens. 2.Rob Jones. 3.Dan Cotterell. 4.Scott Bishop. 5.Cole Parry. 6.Cai James. 7.Dylan John. 8.Lloyd Riley.

Replacements: Oli Sheppard; Dale Stuckey; Garyn Smith; Sam Talbot; Morgan Edwards; Joel Raikes; Will Harford; Jeff Young; Iestyn Thomas; Kian Mattravers; Mitch Barnard; Cally James.

Tries: Will Huggins (2); Mitch Barnard; Ryan Williams; Dale Stuckey.

Conversions: Jacob Symes (3); Sam Talbot (2)