Pontypridd Under 10’s v Pencoed Under 10’s

The boys turned up at a wet and drizzly Pencoed still smarting from last weeks defeat. They knew that they were up against a strong Pencoed side and had to be at their very best to come away with a win. It was decided beforehand that as both teams had a lot of players there would be two games, the main game being 15 minutes each way and the second being 10 minutes each way.

The first game started with Ponty kicking off. Pencoed collected the ball and advanced up field but Ponty showed their determination from the off with some aggressive tackling especially from the forwards with both Greggor McCain and Jasper Powell putting their bodies on the line. This aggressive play forced a turnover and then Ponty showed their intension with ball in hand by marching downfield.

After several phases of play the ball was shipped out to Adam Ashford on the wing who was initially held up a meter short of the line but showed great intelligence by using all his height and stretching the ball over the whitewash for the games first try. Converted by Lewis Allen. From the kick off Ponty collected the ball and despite the poor conditions played their normal style of running rugby by running from deep but Pencoed defence was up for the challenge after conceding the early score and held firm.

Pencoed were given a penalty and used their big forwards to advance up field but a great tackle by Jasper Powell forced a knock on and Ponty cleared their lines. Pencoed continued to exert pressure by using their big forwards as battering rams and after a couple of minutes Ponty’s defence finally cracked and Pencoed went over for a deserved try, which it was converted. Both teams continued to play good rugby and the game ebbed and flowed but neither team could add to their first half scores.

Half Time: Pontypridd 7 Pencoed 7

From the kick off Ponty knocked the ball on and gave Pencoed good field position. From the scrum Pencoed used a planned move and after originally going blind switched play back to the open and after initially being held up got the ball to the floor and were awarded a try. The try seemed to lift Pencoed and they started to dominate territory and possession but Ponty’s dogged defence held firm.

Ponty stayed strong in the last quarter of the game and with some good box kicking from the scrum half got into Pencoed’s half and with the forwards securing good ball Ponty always looked dangerous with ball in hand with strong runs from Adam Ashford and Lucas Hickman. Ponty lost Shaun Bowditch to an injury and Morgan Burgess who was itching to get ball in hand and run at Pencoed replaced him.

Pencoed who refused to relinquish their lead constantly met wave of Ponty attacks with ferocious tackling. With the final move of the match Pencoed had a scrum 5 metres out and after a quick heel used the blind side winger who looked certain to score but an excellent tackle on the line by Adam Ashford managed to hold him up over the line.

Full Time Pontypridd 7 Pencoed 14

Scorers: Tries: Adam Ashford Conversion: Lewis Allen

Man of the Match: Jasper Powell

Team: Greggor McCain (c), Adam Morris, Daniel Griffiths, Rhys Grainger, Jasper Powell, Callum Pearce, Shaun Bowditch, Lewis Allen, Lucas Hickman, Adam Ashford, Subs; Morgan Burgess, Jamie Chapman, Ben Kondella, Lloyd Harris.

This was an excellent game of rugby played in poor conditions with both sides showing a lot of skills for their age.

The second game started with Ponty kicking off to Pencoed who moved up field with their big pack but good Ponty defence held the maul up and gaining the put in at the scrum. From the scrum Adam Ashford went blind and fed Lucas Hickman who pinned his ears back but was tackled into touch. Pencoed broke from the line out and made good ground before the Ponty forward managed to get back into position and hold them up just short; Pencoed managed to turn the maul into a ruck and broke down the blind side to open the scoring which was also converted.

This score seemed to wake up the Ponty team and from the kick off Adam Ashford again showed his power by braking the gain line before being held up but the Ponty forwards got there as one and drove towards the try line, when it looked as if the move had come to a halt “The Ox” Adam Morris broke from the maul to crash over for a try. Converted by Lewis Allen.

Half Time: Pontypridd 7 Pencoed 7

From the kick off Ponty attacked from deep with first Adam Ashford and then Morgan Burgess breaking the gain line and giving Ponty good field position. Ponty continued to dominate the possession and territory with Ben Kondella and “The Ox” Adam Morris causing lots of problems for the Pencoed defence with their dynamic power in the pack. Ponty had a line out and after a good catch by Daniel Griffiths it was “The Ox” who again took the ball up the guts to produce good ball for the backs to use and after slick passing from the backs little Jamie Chapman evaded a couple of tackles before finally being tackled into touch. 

Despite all the pressure being exerted by Ponty it was brave Pencoed tackling which kept Ponty at bay. Several times Ponty broke through the first line of defence only to be stopped by the second line of Pencoed tacklers and despite all the pressure Ponty could not turn pressure into points to get the win.

Full Time: Pontypridd 7 Penceod 7 

Scorers: Tries: Adam Morris Conversion: Lewis Allen

Man of the Match: Adam Morris

Team: Lloyd Harris (c), Ben Kondella, Adam Morris, Jasper Powell, Daniel Griffiths, Rhys Grainger, Lewis Allen, Adam Ashford, Jamie Chapman, Morgan Burgess. Sub; Callum Pearce

This was another exceptional game of rugby where the roles were reversed from the first game with Ponty having the lion’s share of possession and territory but were unable to come away with what would have been a great victory. The coaches were pleased with both the commitment and attitude shown in both games against what is arguably the strongest team on the fixture list.

In the second game although there were a number of good performances one player stood out to receive the Man of the Match award and that was Adam “The Ox” Morris. These two games will hopefully help the team’s spirit before next week’s district tournament…

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