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The boys arrived at Mountain Ash looking to build on last week’s tight win. Although it was mid February the weather was sunny and good for attractive running rugby.
The game started with Mountain Ash kicking off and Ponty immediately showed their intentions by attacking from deep with Lucas Hickman running hard at the Mountain Ash defence, however good work by the Mountain Ash forwards saw them turn the ball over and break through to open the scoring which was also converted. Although this was a blow Ponty continued to show how they wanted to play by fielding the kick off and breaking through into the opposition half. The Ponty forwards attacked a ruck as one clearing out everything leaving quick ball for the Ponty backs to show their stuff with slick handling for Lucas Hickman to score in the corner. Converted by Lewis Allen. The game continued to flow at a great pace and it was Ponty with the majority of territory and possession, Morgan Burgess ran powerfully from his own half almost going all the way only to be tackled inches from the line and forced into touch. From the line out Mountain Ash secured the ball but a weak kick up field saw Shaun Bowditch collect the ball and jink through before releasing Morgan Burgess to score which was converted by Lewis Allen. Mountain Ash didn’t seem to have an answer to Ponty’s fast free flowing game and at times were bamboozled by the running angles of the Ponty backs. Morgan Burgess seemed to break the gain line every time he had the ball and only excellent tackling from the Mountain Ash players stopped him from crossing the line. Half Time Ponty 14 Mountain Ash 7 As the second half began it was Mountain Ash who started better and pushed Ponty back in their own half but dogged defending ensured that Ponty kept their lead. After a sustained period of pressure Mountain Ash capitalised on an error from a defensive line out to finally cross the line to level the scores. From the restart a blatant knock on was missed by the referee and then the same player kicked up field with the whole of his team in front of him and with most of the Ponty players having stopped waiting for the whistle they were outnumbered and Mountain Ash picked up the ball to score which was converted. Despite being devastated by this score, Ponty’s heads never dropped and continued to play the better rugby. Decision after decision kept going against them but they continued to tackle hard without the ball and when they had possession spread the ball along the backline. The final few minutes of the game were played predominantly in the Mountain Ash half but try as they might the Ponty boys could not find the score to bring the game level. Full Time: Pontypridd 14 Mountain Ash 21 Scorers: Tries: Lucas Hickman, Morgan Burgess. Conversions: Lewis Allen 2 Team: Callum Pearce©, Harley Jones, Lloyd Harris, Greggor McCain, Rhys Grainger, Daniel Griffiths, Ben Kondella, Shaun Bowditch, Morgan Burgess, Lewis Allen, Lucas Hickman, Adam Ashford, Adam Morris, Jamie. Although this was a defeat which was hard to take the boys showed great character by keeping their heads up and playing attacking rugby. The forwards got around the field and supported Ponty’s exciting back line with Greggor McCain, Rhys Grainger and Daniel Griffiths handling like they were three quarters. In the backs the game was controlled by the half back pairing of Callum Pearce and Shaun Bowditch, and strong running from centres’ Morgan Burgess and Lewis Allen. Lucas Hickman and Adam Ashford showed their speed and elusive running all day. The coaches decided to award the whole team “men of the match” for their collective play.
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