Pontypridd RFC 24 : 19 Ebbw Vale – Match Report
Pontypridd RFC 24 : 19 Ebbw Vale RFC – Match Report
Saturday 20th October 2018, 17:15, Sardis Road Principality Premiership.
17:15pm, Saturday 20th October 2018, Sardis Road
It was a lovely evening at Sardis Road as Pontypridd RFC welcomed unbeaten Ebbw Vale RFC to the House of Pain. Pontypridd showcased their alternative kit at this televised showpiece live on Clwb Rugbi, S4C Chwareon.
Ebbw Vale came into this match on the back of an undefeated run of 7 wins from 7 games and sitting second place of the Principality Premiership after Merthyr secured the top spot after beating Swansea 35 – 24 earlier in the day.
Pontypridd entered this game following three successive wins against Bridgend, Neath & Swansea scoring an impressive 152 points.
For the first 20 minutes of the game, the score remained pointless as both teams defence held strong.
Ebbw Vale broke the deadlock in the 27th minute with a penalty kicked by Rhys Jones.
Pontypridd answered in the 29th minute when a penalty try was awarded due to Ebbw Vale collapsing under the pressure of a Ponty scrum on their try line.
Ebbw vale then fought back in the 36th minute and were awarded a penalty inside Ponty’s half which was kicked by Rhys Jones.
With the scores sitting at Pontypridd 7 Ebbw Vale 6, the boys knew they had work to do, and kept the pressure on the steelmen which resulted in a breakthrough in the 38th minute try by Gareth Smith.
Ponty further enhanced their lead with a Ben Jones penalty in the 40th minute.
Followed immediately by a penalty for Ebbw Vale in 42nd minute taking the half time score to Pontypridd 15 Ebbw Vale 9.
Half Time Ponypridd 15 Ebbw Vale 9
Following the break, a revitalised Ebbw Vale were the first to take the initiative when a Ponty clearance was charged down and resulted in a try by Stefan Thomas in 45th minute which was swiftly converted by Rhys Jones making the score Pontypridd 15 Ebbw Vale 16.
Poor discipline by the Ebbw Vale side was costly when referee Craig Evans awarded 2 penalties in quick succession to Pontypridd which were converted by Ben Jones in 48th & 52nd minute.
Ebbw Vale fought back hard and won a turnover ball inside Ponty’s 22 in the 54th minute and rushed the try line, only to be held up by Ponty and turned over again and cleared.
The 70th minute sees a knock on by Ebbw Vale just in front of their try line where Ponty scrum down resulting in a penalty for Ben Jones to convincingly slot between the posts leaving the scores Pontypriddd 24 Ebbw Vale 19.
The end of today’s results see Pontypridd move into third place on the table just behind Ebbw Vale and Merthyr.
Full Time Pontypridd 24 Ebbw Vale 19
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