Cup exit for Ponty Youth

Pontypridd Youth played away to Blues A champions Rumney Youth in the National Cup quarter final round on Saturday 17th February, knowing full well that a tough encounter lay ahead.

Rumney got off the mark early in the game with a soft penalty given away for offside at the breakdown, but Ponty struck back by pushing play deep into their opponents’ half only to turn the ball over for not releasing in contact. The home team retained possession and forced play back into the Ponty half, earning another penalty award to extend their lead to six unanswered points.

As the contest progressed Ponty gained the upper hand up front and with their outside half and subsequent man of the match Bailey Roberts leading the way, breaking the Rumney line at will and forcing the concession of a number of penalties. Ponty capitalised to get on the score-board with a kick at goal then five minutes later opting to take a lineout in the corner and driving over for an unconverted try. With the first half coming to an end and having failed to finish off two earlier try scoring opportunities Pontypridd settled for a late penalty to extend their lead to 6pts to 11 at the interval.

The visitors were again in control following the restart and able to maintain pressure but it was Rumney who struck with two crucial scores in quick succession, firstly with a penalty kick then five minutes later forging a break out wide to cross for a try.

Ponty had an opportunity to get back on even terms with a long range penalty, which drifted wide of the posts. The game was evenly balanced going into its final ten minutes with both teams giving their all in both defence and attack. As the clock ticked down Ponty created a promising attacking position within the home twenty-two with an overlap out wide only for the final pass to be intercepted allowing Rumney to launch a length of the field counter and claim the match winning converted try.

Following an epic cup encounter which was in the balance to the end, it was Rumney who took the honours by 21pts to 11. Try scorer for Pontypridd was Lloyd Dennet with Dafydd Lloyd converting two penalties. Man of the Match was outside half Bailey Roberts.