A series of forward drives gave Ponty a territorial advantage, but with no early strike, and eventually conceding points to a Gareth Bowen penalty kicked with five minutes gone. The home team were lacking quality possession, especially from second phase play, and unable to set a platform from which to attack. The sniping runs of Jenkins and Baller gave Ponty some momentum upfield, centre Mike Davies charging through but hung out to dry by a high tackle. Advantage was played, and Kristian Baller slotting over a drop goal to level the scores. Bridgend struck again as the home team were caught in possession in their own twenty-two, Bowen slotting over another penalty to regain the visitors advantage.
A scrappy and ill tempered period ensued, with frustrations boiling over, and Bridgend hooker Scott Baldwin sent to the sin bin, Kristian Baller converting a penalty from in front of the posts. Ponty benefited from a destructive scrum, following up with the charges of Hobbs and Martenko, but handling errors blighting their play. A sharp break and a kick and chase instigated by Baller led to a flowing passing move which saw wing Owen Williams going close to scoring. Home pressure, and some fine support skills eventually told as Adam Thomas went over for a try in the corner. Ponty were now in the ascendancy, Mike Davies carrying the ball up, and with Bridgend lock Geraint Morris sin-binned, Baller hoisting over another penalty to give his side an interval lead of 14pts to 6.
Ponty continued to press forward into the second period, with Davies and Martenko hitting the gain line, and the home team also showing aggression in the tackle when required. There was a physical edge to the game, which sometimes escalated into the throwing of fists, frustrations further heightened by some strange refereeing decisions. Some welcome relief came as Kristian Baller stole an interception to dart clear for a try which he then converted.
Ponty were by now playing all the rugby, looking menacing in attack, and forging ahead as flanker Wayne OConnor pounced on loose line out ball to cross for a try, expertly converted by Baller. The home team were showing great support skills and were full of inventiveness, well on top going into the final quarter. Despite their opponents illegal ploys, Ponty once more opened up with a sweeping move, and going close to scoring. As Downes and Baller launched an offensive at pace, a series of drives followed, with flanker Geraint Lewis going over for the crucial bonus point try, converted by Baller.
Coming to the end of normal time, Ponty continued to excel, but Bridgend launching a snap counter attack for scrum half Hooper to cross for a try under the posts, the score converted by Jamie Murphy. Not to be outdone, Ponty struck back with a vengeance, Adam Thomas jinking his way over for a final try, the conversion from Dean Gunter wrapping up a thoroughly deserved home win by 42pts to 13.
Pontypridd:
15.Adam Thomas. 14.Owen Williams. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Mike Davies (Lawrence Price). 11.Chris Clayton. 10.Kristian Baller (Dean Gunter). 9.Andrew Jenkins (Rhys Downes).
1.Sam Hobbs. 2.Huw Dowden (Rhys Williams). 3.Ryan Harford (Stuart Williams). 4.Chris Martenko. 5.Chris Dicomidis. 6.Geraint Lewis. 7.Wayne OConnor (Rhys Lloyd). 8.Nathan Strong cpt.
Golden Bob man of the match Sam Hobbs
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02 Pontypridd V Pontypool - 17th February 2010by Pontydog519 views
the day after 420
Disappearingboy1039 2 years ago