YOUTH LOSE OUT TO PROGRESS IN THE CUP

Ponty youth were hoping to go one better than last season and progress past the quarter final stage and were playing hosts to Brecon Youth.

From the kick off Ponty Youth set out their stall to play attacking Rugby and at pace.   Brecon were well organised in defence and an early knock in the tackle and a quick switch of play to the bob bank side of the pitch saw Brecon’s outside centre ghost over for an early try to take a 5 point lead.    Ponty were un phased and from the restart kept Brecon deep in their 22 and were rewarded with first a penalty and then a try to go 8: 5 up.  This set the pattern for much of the first half with Ponty controlling possession and territory and Brecon defending well.   During this period Ponty had 2 penalty opportunities but were unable to convert them to extend their lead.   Brecon worked hard to get back into Ponty’s half and put together a period of possession and pressure. Ponty gave away a penalty in a kickable position and Brecon were back level with only 10 minutes of the half to go.  Ponty took the game back to Brecon and tuned over the ball from the restart and worked into a good attacking position and almost getting on the outside of the defence to score  but a loose ball from the tackle gave Brecon an opportunity to counter attack to score a try just before half time to take a 15 : 8 lead into the break.

From the restart Ponty again took the game deep into Brecon’s half and a well worked try with backs showing some real quick ball handling skills saw outside centre Ben  Roberts score his second try to get back to 15: 13.

The game opened up with both sides showing a great deal of attacking prowess with some entertaining passages of play Ponty went further behind as Brecon crossed for their third try to extend their lead to 22 points to 13. Ponty struck back to with a penalty and in the dying minutes of the game crossed for their third try to close the gap to 22 points to 21 with a conversation required for Ponty to take the game.   In a heart breaking moment the conversation hit the upright and bounced back in field. Although Ponty tried from the restart to get back into an attacking position time ran out and for a second year Ponty  went out in the quarter finals.”

Mark Waughington Team Manager