Pontypridd 29 vs RGC 17

Pontypridd extended their winning run to four league games with a win over RGC in the Indigo Group Premiership.

The hosts flew out of the blocks with the opening try following some brilliant offloading from Ryan Wilkins and Sion Parry who delivered the try scoring pass to scrum half Joel Raikes who scored under the posts.

RGC responded with their opening score as fly-half Arthur Lennon pounced on a Joseph Scrivens mistake and crossed unopposed, the conversion from fullback Sam Earl-Jones levelled the scores at 7-all after 13 minutes.

Raikes picked up his second try in the 24^th minute following a break from fullback Phillips who provided the inside ball for the dynamic scrum-half to cross. Josh Phillips converted for a 14-7 lead.

Ponty turned to the rolling maul for their third try, Raikes switched to the blindside to put inside centre Ryan Wilkins over in the corner, Phillips’ conversion drifted wide but Ponty extended their lead. RGC finished the half strongly with multiple assaults on the Ponty try-line but firm defence from the hosts ensured a 19-7 halftime lead.

HALF TIME – Pontypridd 19-7 RGC

The visitors opened the scoring in the second half with a penalty from fullback Earl-Jones, before Ponty wrapped up their four-try bonus point in the 54^th minute. The hosts kicked to the corner following a penalty from a scrum, a few carries later saw Aled Ward crashing over from close range after some good work from the Valley Commandos’ pack in tight phases of play.

Replacement RGC prop Pedr Jones gave the visitors some hope when he scored from close range as the Gogs claimed their second try of the afternoon. Sam Earl-Jones’ conversion reduced the deficit to 9 points at 26-17 with just over 15 minutes left.

The contest was played on the edge throughout and on the 70th minute mark there was a flare up which saw Ponty replacement Kristian Parker and RGC second row Ilan Evans shown yellow cards by referee Steffan Edwards,

Josh Phillips landed a late penalty to seal the deal for Pontypridd as they claimed a 29-17 victory.

Next up for Ponty is a trip to Cardiff Arms Park to play rivals Cardiff RFC on Saturday December 23rd with the game being shown live on S4C. Pontypridd then see out 2023 at Sardis Road against Ebbw Vale on Saturday December 30th.

FULL TIME – Pontypridd 29-17 RGC (16/12/2023)

Match report – Iestyn Thomas

PONTYPRIDD –

15. Josh Phillips. 14. McCauley Rowley. 13. Garyn Smith. 12. Ryan Wilkins (Liam Lloyd). 11. Dale Stuckey. 10. Joseph Scrivens (Ben Burnell). 9. Joel Raikes (Harvey Nash).

1. Tom Devine (Kian Mattravers). 2. Gavin Parry (Curtis Greenslade). 3. Morgan Bosanko (Tom Harper). 4. Mitch Barnard. 5. Macauley Cook (c). 6. Aled Ward (Cai James). 7. Sion Parry (Kristian Parker). 8. Joe Miles.

Subs: 16. Curtis Greenslade. 17. Kian Mattravers. 18. Tom Harper. 19. Kristian Parker. 20. Cai James. 21. Harvey Nash. 22. Ben Burnell. 23. Liam Lloyd.

Tries: Joel Raikes x 2, Ryan Wilkins, Aled Ward

Conversions: Josh Phillips x 3

Penalty: Josh Phillips

Yellow Card: Kristian Parker

RGC –

15. Sam Earl-Jones. 14. Dafydd Williams. 13. Afon Bagshaw (c). 12. Delwyn Jones. 11. Rhys Tudor. 10. Arthur Lennon. 9. Ollie Wynn.

1. Jessie Williams. 2. Rhodri King. 3. Patrick Nelson. 4. Bryn Jones. 5. Ilan Evans. 6. Huw Taylor. 7. Ethan Fackrell. 8. Sam Williams.

Subs: 16. Jack Tomlinson. 17. Gareth Parry. 18. Pedr Jones. 19. Dan Owen. 20. Huw Worthington. 21. Charlie Probert. 22. Efan Jones. 23. Harri Hughes.

Tries: Arthur Lennon, Pedr Jones

Conversions: Sam Earl-Jones x 2

Penalty: Sam Earl-Jones

Yellow Card: Ilan Evans

Referee: Steffan Edwards

Assistant referees: 1 – Keith David, 2 – Ellis Poulden

Golden Bob Man of the Match: Sion Parry

WRU Man of the Match: Sion Parry