Pontypridd 26 vs Cardiff University 12

Pontypridd RFC won entertaining late-season friendly against Cardiff University, outscoring the students by four tries to two on a wet evening under the Sardis Road floodlights. Ponty’s team was a mixture of core players, players on permit from neighbouring clubs, students from USW and Ponty Youth players.

Cardiff Uni flyhalf Jack Thomas kicked the match off with the rain lashing down from the night sky, and it was the visitors that started the match strongly enjoying the early territory and possession. But as the match approached the 10^th minute Ponty won a penalty after some good work at the breakdown and kicked to touch. A few phases later the home side put into a scrum and from that solid platform scrum-half Toby Thomas sniped over from close range. Joseph Scrivens kicked the conversion and Ponty led 7-0.

At this point and for the remainder of the first half the rain was pouring down and the ball was like the proverbial bar of soap. Both Ponty and Cardiff Uni were intent on playing attacking rugby, but the conditions made this extremely difficult with the ball being spilled by both teams.

The match entered the second quarter and Cardiff University stepped up their intensity and were unlucky not to get their first try of the evening. Working their way through the phases students’ hooker Jamie Goldsworthy lost the ball whilst he was tackled a few metres from the Ponty try line. A few minutes later the University won a penalty 40 metres out and kicked to touch. They won the lineout in Ponty’s 22 but as their rolling maul was working its way towards Ponty’s try line the ball was again spilled and Ponty cleared.

Just over half an hour played and Ponty fed into a scrum on Cardiff Uni’s 10-metre line and from open play shortly after, Tom Edwards hit the line from fullback and went on a good run and linked up with Ben Burnell, Burnell fed the supporting Curtis Greenslade who was hauled down on the Uni’s 22. Ponty then spun the ball left but it was intercepted which allowed the students to work their way back up field.

As the second half entered its final minutes both sides failed to register decent chances. Firstly Cardiff University were rebuffed near the Ponty try line through some strong defence, but were awarded a penalty. The students quick-tapped the penalty but their second-row spilled the ball in contact on the Ponty try line.

Just before the half ended Ponty had another chance to double their lead. They kicked a penalty into the Uni’s 22, won the lineout and with the rolling maul heading towards the students’ try line it was Ponty’s turn to spill the ball forward and the chance was gone. The rain was easing and referee Mr. Dai Cambourne blew for half-time.

HALF TIME – Pontypridd 7-0 Cardiff University

The rain stopped and Joseph Scrivens kicked off the second half. The Valley Commandos won an early penalty and kicked into the corner. The lineout ball was secured by Aled Ward before Curtis Greenslade thought he’d scored from close-range, but Ponty’s celebrations soon became Cardiff Uni celebrations when the ball was adjudged to have been held up over the line.

Pontypridd won a scrum penalty on halfway and Joe Scrivens kicked Ponty to just inside Cardiff University’s 22. From the next play Ponty chipped over the top and the ball bounced unluckily between the chasing Josh Phillips and Scrivens, neither could gather to score, but the referee was playing a penalty-advantage. Ponty kicked into the corner again and from the lineout rolling-maul, a few phases later no.8 Lloyd Riley scored in the 48^th minute. Scrivens’ conversion was successful and Ponty led 14-0. No.8 Riley, playing on permit from Rhydyfelin RFC was impressive throughout and would go on to be awarded Man of the Match.

To their full credit Cardiff University didn’t let Ponty’s second try deflate them in any way. They kept showing plenty of attacking intent and found ways to work good field position deep in Ponty territory but little knock-ons and over-thrown line-outs at key times were their Achilles heel.

But as play approached the hour mark Cardiff Uni got their first try of the contest. A superb run from their flyhalf Jack Thomas, who showed plenty of pace and looked to be gassing his way to the try line only for Liam Lloyd to haul him down short. The students wouldn’t be denied when after a couple of phases they passed the ball left and crashed over in the corner for the score. Jack Thomas added a superb touchline conversion and it was game on at 14-7 on the hour mark.

Pontypridd’s riposte was immediate when Josh Phillips’ superb break from just inside the Ponty half went deep into the University’s half and he fed the supporting Toby Thomas and Thomas finished from 25 metres out. Former Ponty Youth player Llewelyn Brown kicked the conversion and Ponty restored their 14-point lead, 21-7.

65 minutes had ticked over on the clock and some excellent Pontypridd defence just inside their own 22 turned the ball over from the Uni and the home side cleared their lines. An excellent touch finder was touched by the student left-winger and all of a sudden Ponty had a lineout on the Uni’s 22. Ponty won the ball and nearly scored down the right-hand touchline but were tackled into touch with the try line in sight. Cardiff University threw the ball in and an overthrow went straight to Gavin Parry at the back of the lineout and the Scotland U20 hooker was gifted a try. The conversion was missed but Ponty now had a comfortable 26-7 lead with ten minutes left.

A lively contest drew towards a close and it was Cardiff University that grabbed a late consolation try that their efforts deserved. With play just inside the Ponty 22, the ball was chipped over the top of the Pontypridd defence and Uni replacement James Smith won the foot-race just before the ball rolled dead. The conversion was missed and the full time whistle blown.

Pontypridd would like to place on record its gratitude to all the teams and clubs that allowed permission for their players to take part in this match. We’d like to thank the University of South Wales, Pontypridd Youth, Rhydyfelin RFC, Llantwit Fardre RFC, Porth RFC and Builth Wells RFC for granting permits for their players – diolch.

Ponty’s focus now turns to next Saturday’s final Premiership match of the season away against RGC in Colwyn Bay on 13th April.

FULL TIME – Pontypridd 26-12 Cardiff University (5/4/2024)

Match report – Geraint Thomas

PONTYPRIDD –

15. Tom Edwards. 14. Louis Rochefort-Shugar. 13. Liam Lloyd. 12. Ben Burnell. 11. Jude Williams. 10. Joseph Scrivens. 9. Toby Thomas.

1. Dan Cottrell. 2. Curtis Greenslade. 3. Morgan Bosanko. 4. Mitch Barnard. 5. Kristian Parker (c). 6. Aled Ward. 7. Dylan John. 8. Lloyd Riley.

Subs: 16. Gavin Parry. 17. Davon Davies. 18. Tom Harper. 19. Caradog Lloyd-Kaniewski. 20. Lloyd Morris. 21. Scott Bishop. 22. Andrew Miller. 23. Llewelyn Brown. 24. Josh Phillips. 25. Tom Offa.

*PLEASE NOTE – all substitutes came on for Pontypridd

Tries: Toby Thomas x 2, Lloyd Riley, Gavin Parry

Conversions: Joseph Scrivens x 2, Llewelyn Brown

CARDIFF UNIVERSITY –

15. Elis Bird. 14. Finn Brown. 13. Nikkita Tutus. 12. Oscar Van Deventer. 11. Sammy Sinclair. 10. Jack Thomas. 9. Aled Rees.

1. Oliver Williams. 2. Jacob Goldsworthy. 3. Toby Jacob. 4. Seth Butler. 5. Charlie Hagan. 6. Max Truby. 7. Owen Popple. 8. Oliver Sterling.

Subs: 16. Cai Ifans. 17. Rhys Thomas. 18. Matt Towndrow. 19. Aiden Jarvis. 20. James Smith. 21. Tom Horan. 22. Mason Archer. 23. James Jones. 24. Sam Plumer. 25. Jack Pawson. 26. Sam Somers. 27. Iestyn Comey.

Tries: TBC, James Smith

Conversion: Jack Thomas

Referee: Dai Cambourne

Assistant referees: 1 – Mike Sheehan, 2 – Dan McCarthy

Man of the Match: Lloyd Riley