Clifton 28 vs Pontypridd 52

Pontypridd back tracked to their own line as they were penalised early on, but holding out to clear and counter. The match was closely contested for the first ten minutes before Ponty moved up the gears and blitzed three tries in a four minute period. Hooker Geraint Clarke crossed first wide out, then following good support play, full back Lloyd Rowlands and lock Chris Dicomidis going over, the latter two tries converted by Ceri Sweeney.

Clifton quickly regrouped to remain in contention, visiting outside half Sweeney yellow carded following a bout of grappling. The match was frequently interrupted by the referee’s whistle, mostly benefitting the home team, who sent winger Will Pomphrey over from close range, the try converted by Ben Barnes.

Clifton remained on the front foot, with the visitors again heavily penalised and a penalty try awarded following a high tackle by Ponty wing Dale Stuckey, who was sin binned for the indiscretion, that being the last action of the half with an interval score-line of 14pts to 19.

Ponty were quick out of the blocks as the game resumed, flanker Rhodri Jones charging over for a try which Sweeney converted from the touchline. The home side’s repost was immediate as full back Chris Levesley weaved his way over, the try converted by Barnes.

The game was being played at a frenetic pace, Ponty next to register a score as the ball was whipped wide for replacement Gary Williams to touch down in the corner. The visitors made a raft of changes off the bench but maintained momentum, a quick tap penalty by Joel Raikes finding winger Alex Webber in support to score a try converted by Diggy Bird.

Into the final quarter Ponty looked menacing, wing Ryan Crowley jinking over for a try then centre Adam Ashford slicing through for another score, both converted by Sweeney.

Clifton instigated a late period of pressure, rewarded as replacement Steff Kitchen powered over for a try which Levesley converted. There was time for Ponty to launch one last offensive, winger Marcus Jones going close in fielding a cross kick, his side well worthy of a 28pts to 52 victory from an action packed encounter.

Pontypridd:

15.Lloyd Rowlands (Rhys Morgan). 14.Alex Webber (Ryan Crowley). 13.Alex Knott (Adam Ashford). 12.Gabriel Davies (Gary Williams). 11.Dale Stuckey (Marcus Jones). 10.Ceri Sweeney (Diggy Bird / Ceri Sweeney). 9.Jamie Hill (Joel Raikes).

1.Huw Owen (Connor Lewis / Joe Popple). 2.Geraint Clarke (Iestyn Harris / Huw Dowden). 3.Morgan Bosanko (Luke Leddington / Gareth Smith). 4.Lloyd Evans (Sean Moore / Cian Lewis-Hughes). 5.Chris Dicomidis (Shay Smallman). 6.Rhodri Jones (Josh Hawkins). 7.Sion Edwards (Ross Morgan). 8.Morgan Sieniawski (Morgan Edwards).

Tries: Clarke (10); Rowlands (12); Dicomidis (14); Rh.Jones (41); G.Williams (47); Webber (53); Crowley (62); Ashford (68).

Cons: Sweeney (13, 15, 41, 63, 68); Bird (54).

Clifton:

Tries: Pomphrey (30); Penalty (40); Levesley (44); Kitchen (74).

Cons: Barnes (31, 45); Levesley (75).

Referee: Matt Weston