Match Report – Pontypridd v Bridgend
Pontypridd made it back to back wins in the Indigo Group Premiership following victory over Bridgend Ravens at Sardis Road.
Two tries from Liam Lloyd as well as touch downs from Rob Jones and Harvey Nash were enough to confirm a good day at the office for the hosts.
Ponty opened the scoring after six minutes off the back of a rolling maul which saw hooker Rob Jones dart over from short range, fly-half Josh Phillips added the conversion.
Fly-half Luke Price kicked Bridgend’s first points of the afternoon with a penalty before Ponty outside half Phillips added a penalty of his own to make it 10-3 after 26 minutes.
The visitors fought back with their first try of the afternoon when blindside flanker Jordan Collier powered over from close range following multiple phases inside Ponty’s 22.
Price’s conversion levelled the scores, but there was still time for that to change before the interval when Ponty reclaimed the lead – Josh Phillips made a great break after shifting to fullback following an injury to inside centre Will Keep. Shortly after, quick ball ensued and space out wide was perfect for fullback Liam Lloyd who evaded the final defender to score in the corner – Phillips’ conversion struck the post but it was Ponty who led 15-10 at the break.
HALF TIME – Pontypridd 15-10 Bridgend
Shortly after the second half got underway Ravens outside half Price added his second penalty of the afternoon to narrow the scores before the hosts added a third try in spectacular fashion.
The break was made in midfield by replacement Joseph Scrivens and blindside flanker Aled Ward, in support, gave a simple inside ball to scrum half Harvey Nash who dotted down to score against his former club – Phillips added the conversion to extend Ponty’s lead to nine points.
Ponty replacement Ben Burnell made his return to the club from the bench in the final quarter following the collapse of English Championship club Jersey Reds.
But it was Liam Lloyd, who had now moved to the wing who crossed for his second try of the afternoon following a cross-field kick by replacement Scrivens, Phillips added his third conversion of the day which was the final points scored as Ponty celebrated a 29-13 victory.
Pontypridd will travel to Pontypool Park to take on Pooler in their next game in the Indigo Premiership on October 21st.
FULL TIME – Pontypridd 29-13 Bridgend (14/10/2023)
Match report – Iestyn Thomas
PONTYPRIDD –
15. Liam Lloyd. 14. McCauley Rowley. 13. Ryan Wilkins (Ben Burnell). 12. Will Keep (Joseph Scrivens). 11. Dale Stuckey. 10. Josh Phillips. 9. Harvey Nash (Joel Raikes).
1. Ben Stephens (Kian Mattravers). 2. Rob Jones (Mitch Savage). 3. Morgan Bosanko (Tom Harper). 4. Mitch Barnard (Chris Dicomidis). 5. Macauley Cook (c). 6. Aled Ward (Kristian Parker). 7. Cai James. 8. Joe Miles.
Subs: 16. Mitch Savage. 17. Kian Mattravers. 18. Tom Harper. 19. Chris Dicomidis. 20. Kristian Parker. 21. Joel Raikes. 22. Joseph Scrivens. 23. Ben Burnell.
Tries: Rob Jones, Liam Lloyd x 2, Harvey Nash
Conversions: Josh Phillips x 3
Penalties: Josh Phillips x 1
BRIDGEND –
15. Caine Woolerton. 14. Mike Powell. 13. Stuart Floyd-Ellis. 12. Tommy Morgan. 11. Cameron Ellis. 10. Luke Price. 9. Chris Williams.
1. Phil Price. 2. Gareth Harvey. 3. Matholwch Iorwerth-Scott. 4. Ben Thomas. 5. Jack Pope. 6. Jordan Collier. 7. Alfie Llewellyn. 8. Reuben Tucker.
Subs: 16. Evan Yardley. 17. Owen Jordan. 18. Liam Tobias. 19. Dylan Burrows. 20. Iestyn Merriman. 21. Callaghan Smith. 22. Rhys Williams. 23. Joseph Gatt.
Try: Jordan Collier
Conversion: Luke Price
Penalties: Luke Price x 2
Referee: Adam Jones
Assistant referees: 1 – Keith David, 2 – Owen Wrangham
Golden Bob Man of the Match: Macauley Cook
WRU Man of the Match: Macauley Cook
