Pontypridd 22 vs Newbridge 0

Pontypridd made it three wins from three in the Admiral Welsh Premiership with a 22-0 win over Newbridge at Sardis Road.

There were three tries for the hosts, with Cai James, Louis Rochefort-Shugar and Kristian Parker scoring, but a pleasing defensive effort from the home side ensured the visitors stayed at 0 points scored.

Ponty kicked off with attacking intent in the early stages after an opening defensive set.

The hosts strung some neat passes together before Joe Miles’ offload to wing Louis Rochefort-Shugar didn’t quite go to hand.

Yet the visitors had a lineout five meters from the Ponty line, but a knock on in the rolling maul gave the hosts a chance to clear which scrum-half Joel Raikes did with a box kick.

But Ponty opened the scoring two minutes later, a miss pass from fly-half Jacob Symes caught the visitors defence out with number 8 Lloyd Riley breaking through, Raikes was on hand in support before he assisted blindside flanker Cai James who ran into score under the crossbar. Jacob Symes’ conversion made it 7-0 after 13 minutes.

Dale Stuckey kicked a 50/22 to earn another chance for the hosts, the opportunity resulted in a penalty in front of the posts which fly-half Symes kicked to extend the lead to 10 points as the match approached the 20-minute mark.

The away side applied pressure inside the Ponty 22 after 25 minutes and won three penalties in a row, but Ponty held out to force the error and clear their lines.

Another wave of Newbridge attack followed and again the hosts managed to hold on thanks to a turnover from fullback Stuckey.

Ponty picked up a second try in the 37^th minute when Garyn Smith’s pass found wing Louis Rochefort-Shugar who beat the final defender to score in the corner. Symes’ conversion drifted to left of the posts.

Despite both teams having chances before the break, there wasn’t a score before the interval and Ponty led 15-0 at the interval.

HALF TIME – Pontypridd 15-0 Newbridge

Pontypridd continued their try scoring efforts from the first half in the 52^nd minute when centre Garyn Smith regathered his own grubber kick and passed inside to Raikes, but the scrum-half was stopped short by a Newbridge defender.

Ponty kept it within the forwards and second row Kristian Parker dotted down from short range for his side’s third try, with Symes adding his second conversion. The score now stood at 22-0 with nearly 50 minutes gone.

Newbridge tighthead prop Scott Evans was shown a yellow card from referee Aaron Parry after he collapsed a rolling maul inside his own half.

Pontypridd endeavoured to get the all important fourth try which would have earned the bonus point, but they were denied by a spirited Newbridge side who’s strong defence repelled Ponty during a 10 minute period towards the end of the match.

The visitors were also determined to bag themselves a consolation score for their efforts but the scoreboard wasn’t troubled again, and it ended up being another hard-earned win for the Valley Commandos, who had to settle for four match points.

FULL TIME – Pontypridd 22-0 Newbridge (28/9/2024)

Match report – Iestyn Thomas

PONTYPRIDD –

15. Dale Stuckey. 14. Charlie Morgan-Stephens. 13. Stuart Floyd-Ellis (Brandon Huntley). 12. Garyn Smith. 11. Louis Rochefort-Shugar. 10. Jacob Symes (Jaydan Pugh). 9. Joel Raikes (Lucus Welch).

1. Ben Stephens (Ben Drew). 2. Rob Jones (Dylan Kelly). 3. Morgan Bosanko (Kian Mattravers). 4. Joe Miles (Will Jameson). 5. Kristian Parker. 6. Cai James. 7. Cally James (c). 8. Lloyd Riley (Mitch Barnard).

Subs: 16. Dylan Kelly. 17. Ben Drew. 18. Kian Mattravers. 19. Mitch Barnard. 20. Will Jameson. 21. Lucus Welch. 22. Jaydan Pugh. 23. Brandon Huntley.

Tries: Cai James, Louis Rochefort-Shugar, Kristian Parker

Conversions: Jacob Symes x 2

Penalty: Jacob Symes

NEWBRIDGE –

15. Robbie Turley. 14. Aneurin Paterson. 13. Ethan Chess. 12. Josh Thomas. 11. Cian Jones. 10. Simon Veall. 9. Iestyn Martin-Lloyd.

1. Geraint Evans. 2. Stuart Vokes (c). 3. Scott Evans. 4. Lloyd Ford. 5. Jakob Duffy. 6. Gavin McDonnell. 7. Matthew Jeffries. 8. Zach Stuart.

Subs: 16. Joel Gilbert. 17. Gareth Young. 18. Jordan Reames-Williams. 19. Adam White. 20. Luke Morgan. 21. Matthew Davies. 22. Reegan Davies. 23. Eamonn Rees.

Yellow Card: Scott Evans

Referee: Aaron Parry

Assistant Referee/Third Official: Greg Morgan

Golden Bob Man of the Match: Cai James