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Page 1 of 2 Pontypridd 30 - 26 Swansea
The game burst into life early on as Ponty launched what was at first a hesitant attack from their own line, but the pace picked up by winger Matthew Nuthall, the move carried on by Wayne Evans, and the unlikely figure of prop Scott Roberts galloping over for a cracker of a try, the score converted by outside half Flanagan. The long range line kicks of Morgan Stoddart kept the home team up in their opponents’ half, in what was so far an entertaining contest. A smart piece of role reversal saw Dai Flanagan shipping the ball out to Wayne Evans, the Ponty scrum half throwing a sublime dummy to dart in for a try, again converted by Flanagan.
Ponty were for once over adventurous, attempting to break out from their own twenty-two, but losing the ball in contact, and yielding their initiative. Swansea were now pounding the home line, the Ponty defence holding out grimly against the onslaught. It was a speculative snipe from the visitors’ scrum half Darren Pittard which secured them a score, with a conversion to follow from outside half Stuart Thomas. The freezing cold conditions seemed to affect the home team’s play, guilty of spilling passes, in what was still a highly competitive encounter.
Ponty at last reintroduced the cut and thrust aspect into their play, centre Tom Riley producing a classic midfield break, followed by some excellent support play, and rewarded with a successful penalty kicked by Dai Flanagan from forty-five metres out. The home team were grappling well for possession in the loose, ending the first period on a high. A charge from prop Stuart Williams was held up just short, and with Swansea prop Lee May sin binned for infringing, Dai Flanagan slotting over another penalty to extend Ponty’s lead. The Valley Commandos continued to thrust forward, well worthy of their interval lead of 20 pts to 7. Establishing a productive line out platform, Ponty commenced the second half on the attack, flanker Lee Evans hauled down just short of the line, before departing injured, replaced by Grant Harrington. An electrifying break from full back Morgan Stoddart kept Ponty in forward gear, their opponents guilty of laying hands on the ball and conceding a penalty which Dai Flanagan converted. The Ponty outside half was then just off target with a majestic drop goal attempt, before Swansea struck back with a concerted period of pressure. Dafydd Lockyer now came on in place of Paul Matthews as Ponty once more went on the offensive, with Stoddart effectively breaking the gain line. There followed an exciting phase of attack and counter attack from both teams, before Ponty hooker Leighton Davies was dispatched to the sin bin, the home team conceding territory as they back tracked into their own twenty-two. A concerted drive from the visitors’ pack culminated in a try awarded to prop Tim Evans. Ponty now had to bring on Ian Poley in place of Chris Martenko as emergency hooker replacement, the home pack suffering a torrid time in the set pieces. Intense pressure from the All Whites eventually told as flanker Nick Kelly charged over for a try, the score converted by Stuart Thomas.
The game was now in the balance, going into its final twelve minutes, with Leighton Davies back on, and Gerald Cox coming on for Stuart Williams, and Ben Rose for Chris Martenko. A snap counter attack by Ponty set flanker Adam Powell off on a sprint to the line, to claim an opportunist try which Flanagan converted. True to the spirit of the game, Swansea once more struck back on the offensive, the home team reverting to some last ditch tackles to defend their line. With Chris Clayton on for the injured Morgan Stoddart, Ponty were under the cosh, backtracking in the scrums, and inevitably conceding points as Swansea winger Nicky Jones split the home midfield defence to score, his effort converted by Stuart Thomas. With Gareth Jones coming on as late replacement for Wayne Evans, and Stuart Williams back on for Gerald Cox, Ponty were defending grimly into injury time, holding on to slender lead. Swansea continued to mount considerable pressure, but Ponty just holding out for a narrow victory by 30 pts to 26.
Pontypridd Try scorers: Scott Roberts, Wayne Evans and Adam Powell.
Dai Flanagan kicked three Penalties and three Conversions. Try Scorers for Swansea: Darren Pittard, Timothy Evans, Nick Kelly and Nicky Jones
Stuart Thomas kicked two Conversions and Nick Thomas kicked one Conversion. Pontypridd 15.Morgan Stoddart (Chris Clayton) 14.Darren Berry 13.Tom Riley 12.Paul Matthews (Dafydd Lockyer) 11.Matthew Nuthall 10.Dai Flanagan 9.Wayne Evans (Gareth Jones) 1.Stuart Williams (Gerald Cox) 2.Leighton Davies 3.Scott Roberts 4.Dale McIntosh – cpt 5.Chris Martenko (Ian Poley /Ben Rose) 6.Lee Evans (Grant Harrington) 7.Adam Powell 8.Nathan Strong “Golden Bob” man of the match – Adam Powell Other Results: Aberavon 43-8 Cross Keys
Bridgend 30-5 Ebbw Vale
Carmarthen 42-14 Glamorgan
Llandovery 39-31 Cardiff - Cardiff stay bottom!
Llanelli 13-9 Bedwas
Neath 23-19 Newport
Pontypool 15-15 Maesteg
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