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Page 1 of 2 Rhondda looked a shadow of their normal selves throughout the first half, but the second half saw a rejuvenated Rhondda with several key changes amongst the backs to bolster their defence and organise their attack...
Rhondda were on the back-foot right from the start. From their very first attack the huge Afon Nedd midfield just cut sways through some lacklustre tackling by the Rhondda defence to score a try by one of their huge centres that was successfully converted. Rhondda looked a shadow of their normal selves and were ragged in attack whilst guilty of bunching in defence throughout the first half. Several key players also missed important tackles and the whole team failed to gel as an unit. Rhondda’s lack of composure allowed Afon Nedd to dominate possession and territory, so it wasn’t long before Afon Nedd scored again for a lead of 12 – 0. it wasn’t until the final five minutes of the half that Rhondda woke up, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Afon Nedd scoring another try before the break for a half time lead of 24 – 0. Prominent in Rhondda’s defensive efforts during the half were Dewi Walding, Phion Radford, Jack Faulkes and Callum Roberts who was unlucky not to score a try himself. The second half saw a rejuvenated Rhondda with several key changes amongst the backs to bolster their defence and organise their attack; with Liam Rees coming in on the wing, Dale Hughes moving to centre alongside the outstanding Jack Faulkes and fly-half Bobi Sheppard, Luke Rees covering fullback with Callum Roberts remaining on the other wing. The changes worked, with bigger players facing the huge Afon Nedd centres who caused such mayhem in the first half and the Rhondda backline proved far more effective as a result. Despite this, Afon Nedd still managed to score another try for a lead of 31 – 0. But lead by their ever present captain James Parry and flanker Dewi Walding, Rhondda were far more determined. Rhondda started to dominate all phases of play with the forwards keeping it tight and the backs running the ball at every opportunity. With their new found vitality Rhondda started to look like the well structured team they normally are and it wasn’t long before the forwards forced their way over for James Parry to claim a vital try. Oozing a new found confidence, Rhondda took the game to Afon Nedd, particulary impressive during this period were again Dewi Walding with his man of the match performance, captain James Parry, centre’s Jack Faulkes and Dale Hughes, along with replacement wing Liam Rees. Rhondda’s increasing pressure finally told with James Parry scoring again thanks to an excellent break by the midfield that set up the forwards in the opposition twenty-two with quick ball from the forwards putting Parry within reach of the line and he didn’t disappoint. The score was now 31 – 10 to Afon Nedd and despite Rhondda’s best efforts that was how it ended.
Rhondda Try scorer was James Parry (2). Rhondda Squad: 1. Garyn Daniels - YGC Y Cymer, 2. Ethan Lewis - Treorchy Comp. / Treorchy RFC, 3. James Parry (c) - Treorchy Comp. / Treorchy RFC, 4. Connor Mitchinson - YGC Y Cymer, 5. Jack Dunning - Treorchy Comp. / Treorchy RFC, 6. Pheon Radford - YGC Y Cymer / Ystrad Rhondda RFC, 7. Dewi Walding - Treorchy Comp. / Treorchy RFC, 8. Meurig Davies - YGC Y Cymer / Ystrad Rhondda RFC, 9. Sam Jones - YGC Y Cymer / Ystrad Rhondda RFC, 10. Bobi Sheppard - YGC Y Cymer / Ystrad Rhondda RFC, 14. Dale Hughes - Porth County / Pontypridd RFC, 12. Jack Foulkes - Porth County / Porth Harlequins RFC, 13. Anthony Harris - Tonyrefail Comp. / Tonyrefail RFC, 11. Callum Roberts - YGC Y Cymer, 15. Luke Rees - YGC Y Cymer / Treorchy RFC, 16. Liam Rees - Porth County / Porth Harlequins RFC, 17. Rhys Johnson - YGC Y Cymer / Porth Harlequins RFC, 18. James Winter - Tonypandy Comp., 19. Callum Phillips - YGC Y Cymer, 20. Daniel Morris - YGC Y Cymer, 21. Bradley Watkins - YGC Y Cymer.
Pontypridd RFC and Rhondda District player Dale Hughes will be unavailable for 4-6 weeks after dislocating his shoulder in training the following morning. During the match, Dale had a quiet first half, barely touching the ball out on the wing. On a cold bitter night, along with others in the side Dale even missed a few early tackles that is totally out of character. But the second half saw him move to centre where he has proven devastating for Pontypridd over the last few seasons, the positional change allowed him to come into play where he proved an important cog in the Rhondda revival with his elusive running and big tackling.
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