07 Cardiff V Pontypridd - 31st October 2009

Dean Gunter stars for Pontypridd as they beat Cardiff
Nov 2 2009 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

COOL Dean Gunter struck again for Ponty as he landed all his five penalties to shake the champions in the top-of-the-table clash, writes George Williams.

The previous week the 19-year-old No 10 kicked 11 points, including the winning penalty in stoppage time, as Newport lost 20-21 at Sardis Road.

Hes a very promising player, learning to control the game as he gains experience, said Ponty head coach Paul John.

Bitter irony for Cardiff was that in defeat they scored two tries to one, the first coming from skipper Rhys Shellard a former back-row team-mate of Pontypridd captain Nathan Strong.

But it was revenge for Strong as the Blue and Blacks beat them 27-22 at the Arms Park in April to clinch last seasons title with a 15th successive league win.

Victory was all down to tempo and attitude, said Strong. Paul and the Chief (assistant coach Dale McIntosh) did their homework.

Cardiff head coach Paul Moriarty would probably agree that comparisons are odious: After the ecstacy of that 39-27 win at Neath comes this result.

Both sides started without players who were on the casualty list and they finished with more problems on that front.

Wing Owen Williams went to hospital with what was feared to be a broken jaw shortly after scoring Pontys l5th-minute try.

And there were passive scrums from early in the second half after Cardiff lost two tighthead props. Dan Matthews retired with knee ligament trouble and his l3th-minute replacement Phil Osborne had a shoulder injury.

Cardiff, seeking a fifth successive win, instead suffered a third home defeat after losing to Swansea and Llandovery

But Ponty gained a sixth consecutive win, and they will be home to Cardiff twice in six weeks in the British and Irish Cup on November 20 and the Premiership on December 12.

Four Gunter penalties, including three from more than 40 metres, and Williams try after the home defence was outflanked, earned Ponty a l7-7 interval lead.

Shellards 38th-minute try capped smart handling and came with Cardiff wing Ryan Howells in the sin-bin. Overall, little went right for Shellards side in that first half, what with losing a lineout in Pontys 22 and a pass going straight to an opponent when a midfield move looked on.

Hard-working lock Matthew Veater rewarded forward pressure with the second Cardiff try four minutes into the second half and just before Gunters last penalty from in front of the posts.

Nick Hampson made his 100th appearance for the Blues and Cardiff as he went on for Veater in the last quarter.

Near the end, when Pontypridd flanker Wayne OConnor was yellow-carded, Cardiff chose to go for touch rather than take a penalty with prospects then of at least a losers bonus point.

With the last kick of the match, Gunter attempted a dropped goal. He missed, but the message was clear he was still hungry.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Pontypridd
• RFC
• Ponty
• Cardiff
• Wales
• Rugby