PONTY UNDER 10’S V ABERDARE UNDER 10’S

Although the weather forecast was for snow, the boys arrived at Aberdare to bright sunshine but a very fresh wind. Before the game had kicked off Ponty knew that they were in for a tough match when the Aberdare boys were warming up it looked like some of them wouldn’t have looked out of place in the Aberdare youth team!

The game started with Ponty kicking off and a good chase put pressure on the Aberdare players and forced a knock on but unfortunately Ponty could not make anything of good field position. Aberdare came back at Ponty with some strong running by their big forwards but some great tackles from the Ponty boys kept them at bay. Ponty continued to have the lion’s share of possession with strong runs from Greggor McCain, Rhys Grainger and Jasper Powell making plenty of yards but try as they might could not break through the strong Aberdare defence.

Aberdare had a lineout deep in their half but produced a very clever move which saw their prop gallop down the wing only to be stopped by a great tackle from Lucas Hickman who managed to force him into touch even though he was half his size. From the line out Aberdare managed to pinch the ball and set up a good rolling maul where they managed to march downfield to score the games first try which was also converted.

Ponty’s response was good and straight from the restart excellent work by Daniel Griffiths, Ben Kondella & Adam ‘the Ox’ Morris forced a turnover where the ball was shipped out to Morgan Burgess who ran strongly only to eventually run out of space and get forced into touch. Ponty were camped in the Aberdare half but the Aberdare boys were well drilled in their defensive patterns and snuffed out all advances from the Ponty boys.

Aberdare had a scrum 5 yards from their own line and their scrum half attempted a box kick but great pressure from Callum Pearce forced a charge down only for the ball to bounce safely into touch. Half Time: Pontypridd 0 Aberdare 7

Aberdare started the second half and a fumble from Ponty saw Aberdare capitalise on the error to go over for their second try of the game which they also converted. To the boys credit their heads never dropped and got back on the offensive marching downfield with good drives from the Ponty forwards and some forceful runs from Adam Ashford and Lewis Allen.

Ponty forced scrum after scrum until eventually the Aberdare defence cracked and a quick pick up from scrum half Callum Pearce saw him dart over for Ponty’s first try of the game. Converted by Lewis Allen. After the try Ponty’s spirits were lifted and you could see the confidence oozing out of each player realising that the game was there to be won. Ponty continued to apply the pressure and the forwards carried the ball well setting up good ball for the backs to use but to be fair to Aberdare you could see that they were not prepared to relinquish their lead easily and some ferocious tackling kept Ponty’s waves of attack at bay. 

Aberdare came back into the match and used their big forwards to work their way up field and threatened to increase their lead much against the run of play but the Ponty defence held firm and kept knocking them back in the tackle. Aberdare had a line out 5 yards from the Ponty line and looked a certainty to score given the size advantage of their forwards but some great defensive work by the forwards and especially Ben Kondella and Adam Morris stopped their driving maul and suddenly out of nowhere Callum Pearce darted through a gap and with the length of the field before him pinned his ears back and looked destined to score his second try when suddenly decided to cut infield and allowed an excellent covering tackle to be made by one of the Aberdare backs.

With only a couple of minutes to go both sides gave their all but it was Aberdare who managed to hold on for the victory.

Full Time: Pontypridd 7 Aberdare 14

Scorers:Try: Callum Pearce. Conversion: Lewis Allen

Team: Ben Kondella, Greggor McCain, Adam Morris, Rhys Grainger, Jasper Powell, Daniel Griffiths, Callum Pearce, Morgan Burgess, Lucas Hickman, Adam Ashford, Lewis Allen, Jamie Chapman Subs: Harley Jones, Lloyd Harris. Although the boys were defeated today they showed great commitment and continued to play right up to the final whistle despite Aberdare having a much bigger side, the forwards stood up to their opponents and rucked and mauled their hearts out. The backs showed direct running and some good handling moves but were up against a good side who were well organised in defence. The coaches decided that their man of the match was Daniel Griffiths

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