Pontypridd 35 vs Swansea 18

Pontypridd made it back-to-back home wins in the Indigo Group Premiership with a 35-18 win over Swansea at Sardis Road.

After falling behind to an early try, three Ponty scores from Ben Burnell, Dale Stuckey and Joseph Scrivens gave the home side a comfortable lead before outside centre McCauley Rowley sealed a bonus point with the final play.

Swansea opened the scoring after dominating early possession with a try from scrum half Cameron Jones following a break by winger Harri Houston.

Ponty replied with their first points in the 11th minute from a long range penalty by fullback Josh Phillips, Phillips added a second penalty-goal a few minutes later as the hosts took the lead during a busy opening quarter.

The Valley Commandos then extended their lead in the 28^th minute when inside centre Ben Burnell stepped past two defenders to dot down under the posts, moments later Phillips’ conversion gave Ponty a 13-5 lead on the half hour mark.

All Whites fullback Brandon Wood added a penalty to narrow the scores although another effort before half-time went wide and Pontypridd led 13-8 at the interval.

HALF TIME – Pontypridd 13-8 Swansea

The visitors’ fullback Wood picked up the first points of the second half with his second penalty, before Ponty counterpart Phillips’ attempt drifted wide in reply. This was all just before a second try for the home side came in the 58^th minute when winger Dale Stuckey crossed for his second score of the season, Phillips’ conversion went wide but Ponty led 18 points to 11.

Ponty added a third try when fly-half Joseph Scrivens scored off an inside ball from inside centre Ben Burnell, Josh Phillips added the extras two points and for the first time in the match the home side had a bit of breathing space with the scoreboard showing a 28-11 lead.

Swansea winger Harri Houston scored his side’s second of the afternoon with a brilliant finish in the corner before Pontypridd wrapped up the four-try bonus point with the final act of the game – outside centre McCauley Rowley dotted down in the corner before Golden Bob winner Phillips nailed the final conversion to rubber-stamp the victory.

Pontypridd travel to the Talbot Atheltic Ground on Saturday November 18th to face Aberavon in their next fixture in the Indigo Group Premiership.

FULL TIME – Pontypridd 35-18 Swansea (11/11/2023)

Match report – Iestyn Thomas

PONTYPRIDD –

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

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

Subs: 16. Gavin Parry. 17. Tom Devine. 18. Tom Harper. 19. Mitch Barnard. 20. Joe Miles. 21. Cally James. 22. Joel Raikes. 23. Ceri Morris.

Tries: Ben Burnell, Dale Stuckey, Joseph Scrivens, McCauley Rowley

Conversions: Josh Phillips x 3

Penalties: Josh Phillips x 3

SWANSEA –

15. Brandon Wood. 14. Matthew Jenkins. 13. Gareth O. Rees. 12. Osian Knott. 11. Harri Houston. 10. Joe Thomas. 9. Cameron Jones.

1. Freddie Chapman. 2. Jamie Cox. 3. Ed Thompson. 4. Lloyd Ashley. 5. Lewis Jones. 6. Joe Greaves. 7. Callum Bowden (c). 8. Morgan Morse.

Subs: 16. Owen Thomas. 17. Daf Davies. 18. Kian Hire. 19. Matt Dodd. 20. Sam Pailor. 21. Lewis Marsh. 22. Dan Roderick. 23. A.N. Other.

Tries: Cameron Jones, Harri Houston

Conversion: Brandon Wood x 1

Penalties: Brandon Wood x 2

Referee: Jason Bessant

Assistant referees: 1 – Dai Cambourne, 2 – Richard Wilks

Golden Bob Man of the Match: Josh Phillips

WRU Man of the Match: Macauley Cook