Ponty got off to the best possible start, a Rhys Downes box kick carried on by Owen Williams, then excellent support skills shown to ship the ball wide to winger Chris Clayton who crossed for a try with just two minutes gone, the score converted from a wide angle by Kristian Baller. Already this was an open game with both sides contributing fully to the spectacle. Ponty kept up their momentum, Clayton going over for another score but play called back for a knock-on. There then ensued a worrying delay following an injury to Ponty wing Williams, who was eventually helped off the field.
Cardiff now struck back with a flowing move upfield, their momentum stalled by a Ponty turnover, but home scrum half Andy Williams then sniping down the blindside of a ruck to claim a try, the touchline conversion to follow from Gareth Davies. Ponty soaked up another phase of pressure, but harassing and grafting their way upfield, winger Chris Clayton intercepting on the home twenty-two to cruise in for a try, converted by Baller.
There was real edge to the game, with good attacking skills being shown as the play ebbed to and fro. Showing up well in the scrums, and stealing opposition line out ball, Ponty were just edging the contest, their superiority rewarded as Baller converted a well struck penalty with thirty-five minutes gone. A quick tap penalty gave Cardiff some impetus upfield, but held at bay by the sheer aggression of the visitors defence. An entertaining and intense first period came to a close with Ponty deservedly leading by 7pts to 17.
Ponty were put under pressure from the restart, but once again fully committed in defence, with every tackle a telling one. The home team continued to drive on relentlessly, no 8 Adam Powell crossing the line, and a delayed decision from referee Phile Fear awarding the try, which was converted by Davies. The visitors struck back immediately, flanker Rhys Lloyd breaking clean through from a line out take to claim an opportunist try.
The pace of the game did not let up, but Cardiff now taking the initiative to drive deep into opposition territory, the Ponty defence soaking up significant pressure. The home team were launching charge after charge, and releasing their menacing back line, with a battle weary Ponty defence putting their bodies on the line time and time again. Breaking point was reached as Ponty winger Lawrence Price was sin-binned and Gareth Davies hoisting over a penalty for Cardiff with sixty-one minutes gone.
With their line outs now miss-firing Ponty were continuing to back-track, and eventually succumbing as Cardiff worked an overlap for winger Chris Czekaj to score in the corner, with Davies adding the conversion. Another Davies penalty extended the home lead before Ponty finally galvanised themselves into one last effort, spearheaded by Chris Clayton. The Valley Commandoes were back in contention, but lacking the big impact made earlier in the game, and failing to add a score.
The final whistle, which registered a home win by 27pts to 22, was soon followed by the strains of We are the Champions echoing around the Arms Park. Cardiff had claimed the league title, and fittingly so in a contest which testified fully to the skill levels and intensity on show in the Principality Premiership. To Ponty, a losing bonus point and the honour that comes with defeat following a top class game of rugby.
Pontypridd:
15.Kristian Baller. 14.Owen Williams (Lawrence Price / Lee Thorne). 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Mike Davies. 11.Chris Clayton. 10.Dai Flanagan. 9.Rhys Downes (Andrew Jenkins).
1.Sam Hobbs (Stuart Williams). 2.Rhys Williams (Huw Dowden). 3.Ryan Harford. 4.Ryan Savage. 5.Chris Dicomidis. 6.Geraint Lewis (Chris Martenko). 7.Rhys Lloyd. 8.Nathan Strong cpt.
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5:3202 Pontypridd V Bridgend - League Game 21st Apr...by Pontydog1,700 views
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