Pontypridd 33 vs Ealing Trailfinders Academy 5

Pontypridd concluded their pre-season preparations ahead of the 2022/23 season against Ealing Trailfinders Academy. It was nearly a year to the day that the two teams last met, 12 months ago Ponty earned the win against a resilient Trailfinders side on that occasion.

The match kicked off and 3 minutes in Ponty were awarded the put-in at the scrum on halfway. A powerful, dominant shove earned the home side the penalty and little did we know at this point that this would be a theme throughout the contest. Ponty kicked the penalty into touch, from the resulting lineout the ball was spun along the backline and a strong, powerful run and pass from Jordan Howells set up right winger Chad Davies who looked like getting the first score but he was tackled into touch.

In the 7^th minute Ponty won another penalty from a scrum and again kicked to touch. From the lineout a powerful rolling maul ensued and from the base no.8 Joe Miles crashed over for the opening try in the 9^th minute. The extras were added by Matthew Lewis.

The Trailfinders then got themselves into the match. They won a penalty, kicked to touch and earned themselves a couple more penalties from the phases that followed. Firstly from a rolling maul being collapsed and then infringements from Ponty at the breakdown in front of the posts. The Trailfinders were going through numerous phases but Ponty’s defence on their own line was resolute and some hard tackling caused the Trailfinders to cough up the ball with the try-line in sight.

The next passage of play saw both sides having chances but neither being able to capitalise. Half an hour gone at this point and some good work at the breakdown saw Ponty turning the ball over on their own 22, outside half Matthew Lewis put in a fantastic kick straight down the left hand touchline which was spilled by Trailfinders fullback Pousson 10 metres from his own try-line. From the resulting scrum Ponty’s pack surged forward, the scrum angling one way and Joe Miles picking up and going the other way to dot down for his second try. The conversion was missed from wide out but Ponty had a two-score, 12-0 lead in the 33^rd minute.

35 minutes now on the clock and Ponty made a raft of changes to the XV that started the match. Trailfinders had a chance just before half time to get themselves on the scoreboard but again some good Ponty tackling forcing a ball spill from the Trailfinders right wing as he approached the Ponty try-line.

HALF TIME – Pontypridd 12-0 Trailfinders Academy

Play was stopped early in the second half for a fairly lengthy injury stoppage due to a nasty looking knock to one of the Trailfinders’ backs (we are pleased to report that he left the ground walking post-match). Play resumed and it was first blood to the visitors in the second half. A decent attack and good hands from the Trailfinders’ backs and left winger Ijeh crossed for a well taken try in the corner. The conversion was missed but they were back in touching distance of Ponty at 12-5.

Ponty now upped the ante in the match and the next period of play – penalties followed penalties at the scrum set-piece and the decision was made to kick into the corner. From the line-out rolling maul Joel Raikes had a snipe but was brought down inches from the try-line. In the 66^th minute the pressure took its toll and from the scrum it was another try for the no.8 – this time Sam Evans the beneficiary of the dominant Ponty scrummage. Jake Lloyd kicked the conversion and the score stood at 19-5.

Ponty made more wholesale changes to personnel, the key giving all the players a good run out in this final pre-season match. With the score at 19-5 both sides were still showing plenty of willing to play attacking rugby. Ponty were looking for the try that would seal the win whilst the Trailfinders were looking for a try that would have given themselves the chance of travelling back to London with something out of the match. It was in fact Ponty that had the final say in the match – Garyn Payne crossing late on following a good attacking move before Lloyd Rowlands dotted down on the final whistle. Both conversions were successful to put the gloss on a 33-5 win in a solid pre-season contest.

FULL TIME – Pontypridd 33-5 Trailfinders Academy