PONTYPRIDD RFC 31 : 19 SWANSEA RFC – MATCH REPORT
Cold Friday night sees Ponty welcome Swansea RFC to Sardis Road, with everything to play for between these two teams who are both running on a 10 game victory out of 11.
A change to the original line up sees Joe Popple start at 3 for his final game in black and white before he leaves us to move across the globe to take up a position in New Zealand.
With everything to play for both teams come out strong with Swansea advancing into Ponty’s 22 within the first 10 minutes, before a penalty was awarded to Ponty who scrummed down within their 22. A quick ball from the scrum sees a fantastic break for the line resulting in a try by Alex Knott in the 6th minute which was swiftly converted by Diggy Bird.
Swansea come back strong after conceding a try with one of their own in the 12th minute tying the score at 7-7.
17th minute sees a Swansea lineout which was deemed not straight awarding Ponty the scrum. Quick work by Ponty see them advancing on the Swansea try line until a penalty was awarded to the visiting side for holding onto the ball.
Swansea continuing to battle hard are awarded a scrum inside Ponty’s 22, but Ponty with it all still to play for fight back which sees some superb passing through the line resulting in a try scored by Alex Webber which was converted by Diggy Bird making the score 14-7.
The 32nd minute sees Ponty awarded a penalty try with Swansea capt Jay Williams given a yellow card for pulling down the maul.
41st minute sees a penalty awarded to Ponty inside Swansea’s 22 where they opt to scrum down, with a forward motion in the scrum by Ponty and a quick ball out sees Ponty try too hard and fumble the ball only for the ref to refer to the TMO – confirmation from TMO sees Swansea No11 Ryan Griffiths given a yellow card for a deliberate knock on and Ponty awarded their second penalty try of the game giving them the all important bonus point putting the score 28-7.
40 (+5) minute sees Gary Williams replace Alex Knott just before half time.
40 (+6) minute produces the second yellow card of the game this time for Ponty’s Alun Lawrence for pulling down the maul.
Half Time Pontypridd 28 – 7 Swansea
With the start of the second half sees replacements being made with Lloyd Rowlands coming on for Diggy Bird putting Ben Jones at 10 and Lloyd at fullback.
48th minute sees a penalty awarded to Ponty who opt to kick for goal, with Ben Jones successfully putting a further 3 points on the board for Ponty.
The third yellow card of the game was awarded in the 53rd minute to Swansea no 3 Alex Jefferies for an infringement in the scrum.
Further replacements in the 60th minute see Huw Dowden on for Rob Jones & Morgan Bosanko on for Joe Popple.
Ponty advancing on Swansea’s try line sees Stuckey get over the try line in 68th minute which was immediately taken to the TMO and no try awarded due to double movement.
Joel Raikes was replaced in 72nd minute by Huw Rees.
With no tries so far in the second half but both sides fighting hard the 72nd minute sees Swansea cross Ponty’s try line and the decision go to the TMO who awards the try. Putting the score at 31-14.
Further replacements for Ponty in 74th minute sees Rhodri Jones, Corey Domachowski and Rhys Shellard replaced by Lloyd Evans, Huw Owen and Ross Morgan.
Ponty lineout sees a good charge down by Ponty only to be taken into touch with a quick throw in by Swansea which sees the away team displaying some great passing to then be awarded a try in the 80th minute making the score 31-19.
The Ponty supporters feeling twitchy with Swansea advancing on the Ponty try line breath a sigh of relief when awarded a penalty from a Swansea forward pass. Ben’s kick to touch sees Ponty win the lineout and drive forward with the forwards working hard to then bring the backs in for speed down the touchline only for Stuckey to be taken into touch by a Swansea player. With minutes left on the clock Ponty are working hard inside the Swansea 22 to make a further dent on the scoreboard, however all the hard work isn’t rewarded with any further points, and the full time whistle blows finishing the game at 31-19
15. Ben Jones. 14. Alex Webber, 13. Alex Knott, 12. Daf Lockyer (capt), 11. Dale Stuckey, 10. Diggy Bird, 9. Joel Raikes, 8. Alun Lawrence, 7. Rhys Shellard, 6. Rhodri Jones, 5. Chris Dicomidis, 4. Shay Smallman, 3. Joe Popple, 2. Rob Jones, 1. Corey Domachowski
