Ponty Youth edge away win at Cardiff Met
Pontypridd Youth resumed their Blues A League campaign on Saturday 18th November with an away tie against Cardiff Met.
Ponty Youth expected a tough physical challenge and they were not disappointed. Both teams played to the conditions using the blustery wind to kick for position when possible but relying on a team effort to carry the ball hard.
It was Ponty who took an early lead with a well worked close range try from prop Will Pugh. Met used the conditions and capitalised on a soft penalty award to set up an attacking line-out in the Pontypridd half. A short kick over the top saw the ball fall to a Met player and some smart handling saw them cross for a converted try. Ponty created at least two opportunities to score only to be denied by a determined Met defence. It was the students then who had the final say of the half crossing the line to extend their lead to 12pts to 5 at the interval.
The second half started in much the same way as the first had ended with Ponty unable to convert pressure into points and then having to defend their line doggedly. The visitors eventually worked the ball out wide with full back Jordan Thomas crossing for a crucial try to reduce the deficit.
Cardiff Met redoubled their efforts and after a period of controlled possession saw their number 8 break through some weak tacking in mid field to score under the posts, extending the home lead to 19pts to 10. This score however spurred Ponty Youth on and they gradually gained the upper hand. With less than ten minutes to go a driving line-out deep in opposition territory saw Ponty claim a try. From the restart they again worked hard to drive the ball deep into the home half. The Met defence was dogged but eventually breached with another try out wide to put Pontypridd into the lead by 19pts to 20.
In the closing minutes of the game it was Ponty’s turn to defend as their hosts went all out to score, but a determined and disciplined rearguard action denying them any opportunity. The Pontypridd Youth Man of the Match in a close fought and important league victory was Rhodri Smith.
