BARGOED 28 – PONTYPRIDD 55
On a beautiful sunny day in Bargoed, a vast contrast to the rain experienced last week in Llandudno , the biting wind and sloping pitch was going to play a bit part in the game.
The Ponty faithful gave a rousing welcome as Daf led the team out and with Bargoed playing for pride , it was all to play for.
Ponty took possession from kick off and the ever present Webber was keen to break through the defence. A kick to the corner by Sweeney saw a lineout won by the home side.
With Bargoed on the attack, a kick for territory saw the play taken to the Ponty 22
The darting run by Ben Jones saw the Ponty three quarters set up phase after phase to be stopped by the Bargoed defence.
With the Bargoed scrum failing to hold the visitors , a dropped pass by Ponty meant another scrum to the home team.
A kick from the base of the scrum saw Stuckey on the attack with Webber & Knott pushing through the defence. A series of high tackles resulted in a line kick by Sweeney taking the lineout to the Bargoed 25
A catch and drive by the pack towards the line ensued but the Bargoed defence turned over the ball.With possession swapping sides, it was the visitors that gained momentum and executed the pressure to reap the awards.
A scrum on the 5 meter line saw Morgan Sieniawski go over for a well worked try , with the conversion by Sweeney – 0-7 (16 mins)
Bargoed contined to use their three quarters and a great move looked like a try but the ref disallowed for off side after a knock on .
Another free kick was given for coming in from the side and the Bargoed side pressurised and a penalty was given for holding on.
Great hands by the Bargoed three quarters saw a well executed phase which resulted in a try by Jordan Howells which was converted by Josh Prosser. 7 – 7 ( 23 mins)
Handling errors and the prevailing wind thwarted the Ponty attack and play went back and fore as both teams pushed to break through each sides defences.
The determined Ponty pack recycled the ball with a try held up , resulting in a scrum.
Quick ball from the base saw Webber dive over in the corner for a try. A great conversion by Sweeney made it 7-14 ( 35 mins)
Bargoed pressure was rewarded by a great try by Juiian Mogg who cut through the defence,conversion by Josh Prosser – 14 all.
The second half started with Ponty pressing for a try after great pressure which they were awarded after Sweeney crossed under the posts and converted – 14 -21
From the restart the Ponty three quarters punched holes in the defence and a great break by Knotty setting up a phase for Webber to pass to Blacker who went over for a bonus point try. Which was converted by Sweeney. 14-28 to Ponty
Bargoed were penalised for not rolling away and Sweeney used the wind for a line out kick which took the forwards on a roll. With the balloon spread wide to the effervescent backs, a kick and chase was thwarted by the Bargoed defence. With Ponty now on the rampage , the Bargoed pack turned over the ball and kicked for possession .
After possession won at the line out, the Ponty pack walked the ball to the line with Azza touching down. Score 14-33 to the visitors
A quick taken penalty resulted in Webber going over for his second try and the Ponty tails were up. Score 14-38
Rob Jones off, Huw Dowden on , Huw Owen on for Azza, Cory Dom off , Harvey Connelly on
Shellard, Sweeney off – Sam Tilley , Corey Howells on
Another quick penalty taken by Dane Blacker resulted in Morgan Sieniawski going over for his second try who then was replaced by Jordan Pritchard.
Ponty 43- 14
Blacker off , Raikes on , Locks off, Gary Williams on ( 69 mins)
Bargoeds’ errors saw a great pick up by Sion Edwards who galloped over for a try under the posts.Converted by Ben Jones – Ponty up to 50 points
Bargoed refused to give up and their three quarters tried to execute a phase which was stopped by the Ponty pressure causing handling errors. Their patience paid off as the replacement hooker Lewis Lippiett scored and converted by Prosser
Score 21-50 to the visitors
A fumble by the Bargoed defence saw a gift of a try to Webber who claimed his hattrick of the afternoon. Ponty up to 55 points
Bargoed continued to press for another try & conversion which came from a forward drive. Their never give up approach ensured that the game provided good entertainment for both sets of fans.
Final score Bargoed 28 – Ponty 55
