02 Bridgend V Pontypridd - League Game 11th April 2009

Bridgend launched an early phase of attacks at pace, but this being the exception as both sides were guilty of putting in aimless kicks and generally lacking direction in their play. Ponty attempted to keep the ball in hand but lacking a cutting edge and unable to threaten. With home outside half Gareth Bowen pulling wide a kickable penalty, the first ten minutes of the game remained scoreless.

A powerful break by centre Adam Thomas gave Ponty some thrust upfield, but unable to push through for a score, with handling errors proving costly. The visitors game-plan was further disrupted as outside half Gareth McCarthy departed injured, with Kristian Baller moving up to the pivot position. The game moved into its second quarter with neither try line as yet being threatened, but the deadlock eventually broken as Baller launched a penalty from thirty metres out to give Ponty the lead.

As the home team continued to infringe, a yellow card was issued to their no 8 Geraint Morris, and Baller converting the ensuing penalty. Ponty were dominant in the scrums and willing to move the possession gained, by now well on top albeit in a low key contest. With prop Sam Hobbs leading their charges, Ponty remained in the ascendancy, going into the interval with a 0pts to 6 advantage.

The visitors retained a territorial dominance as the second half commenced, but the game being played almost in a surreal atmosphere, a combination of handling errors, misplaced kicks and strange refereeing decisions making for a game that was going nowhere fast. Bridgend launched a cohesive attack, albeit from a blatant forward pass, with a general sense of frustration building up, not least amongst the crowd.

A sharp break from centre Gavin Dacey gave Ponty some momentum into the home twenty-two, but a crucial pass then going straight into touch. It was another well drilled penalty from Kristian Baller which eventually extended Pontys lead with fifty-five minutes gone.

At last able to put together a concerted phase of support play, Ponty drove into their opponents twenty-two, wing Lewis Williams breaking through a number of tackles to score a try, which was converted by Baller. The visitors kept up their momentum, a drive from a line out take allowing lock Grant Harrington to claim another score.

Taking advantage of a highly contentious quick line out throw, Bridgend set off on an opportunist attack, putting winger Chris Weightman in for a score, which was converted by Gareth Bowen. Ponty resumed their superiority with a series of drives up to the home line, a pushover from the ensuing five metre scrum resulting in a try for no 8 Nathan Strong, converted by Baller. The game then suffered a relapse back into a scrappy period of play up to the final whistle, but with Ponty having done more than enough to secure victory by 7pts to 28.

Pontypridd:
15.Kristian Baller. 14.Owen Williams. 13.Adam Thomas (Gavin Dacey). 12.Mike Davies. 11.Lewis Williams. 10.Gareth McCarthy (Chris Clayton). 9.Andrew Jenkins (Rhys Downes).
1.Sam Hobbs (Stuart Williams). 2.Huw Dowden (Leighton Davies). 3.Pat Palmer. 4.Grant Harrington (Chris Martenko). 5.Chris Dicomidis. 6.Geraint Lewis (Ryan Savage). 7.Rhys Lloyd. 8.Nathan Strong cpt.

Category:

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