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Page 1 of 2 Pontypridd U9’S 55 Brecon 0 It’s not often that the boys get to play their home games at the ‘House of Pain’, but when they do the excitement felt by both players and spectators is magnified, and today, amidst glorious sunshine and bright blue skies, was no exception. The opponents were Brecon, no doubt with revenge on their mind as last season this team had produced probably their finest ever combination of individual skill and teamwork in winning the 9 team Brecon tournament. Certainly the Brecon coach was in a positive mood offering to have two games as he had a ‘strong squad’, a challenge readily and eagerly accepted by the Ponty team!
Lloyd Owens led out his team, the boys chosen to play full of confidence, those awaiting the second game cheering on their team mates from the sidelines. There was a noticeable feeling the boys were together as a team today, not just a collection of players, and that something special might just be on the cards….or was the sunshine (and a South African victory) just giving everyone a feel good factor? Ponty kicked off and straight away the sheer physicality of their defence and their tackling saw Brecon pushed further and further back towards their own try-line. After only 2 minutes, Owain Morris, destined to have probably his finest game yet for Ponty bulldozed his way over for the first of his two tries. The tone of the game had already been set, Brecon shell-shocked, had no answer for the power and dynamism of the Ponty team. Rhodri Smith on 4 minutes, Owain Morris again on 6 minutes, Lloyd Owens on 8 and Rhodri Smith for his second on 10 minutes reflected the superiority of the Ponty team. Brecon had failed to get into the Ponty half at all so far, and had met a Ponty team on fire, their teamwork, ball retention, passing and movement off the ball the best seen so far this season. Ironically, the finest passage of play in the half saw Ponty move the ball from one wing to the other and back, fluidly, efficiently and with pace only for Carl Blacker to be denied by the touchline inches from the tryline a la England!! Jay ‘The Battleship’ Jones and Owain Morris kept the Ponty team driving forward, sucking in Brecon defenders en masse and providing their teammates with the opportunity to spread the ball and exploit the holes that appeared time and again in the Brecon defence. Half time brought some respite for the Brecon team, albeit briefly, as the start of the second half saw Ponty again remorselessly pile on the pressure, forcing Brecon back at every opportunity. To their credit, Brecon tackled bravely and determinedly held their line, until Callum ‘Tucker’ Hall, like the Chieftain Tank he is, powered his way over on 13 minutes. Immediately after, the power was replaced by finesse, as Rhodri Smith showed his deft footwork, pace and sidestepping skills with a fine individual try to complete his hat trick. Brecon now decided that a second game would not be played and the Ponty coaches hurriedly made wholesale changes to ensure all the players would be involved. The personnel may have changed but the attitude, the skill and pace of the side remained intact. Ponty stubbornly refused their visitors any space, their tackling exemplary, their rucking ferocious, their desire and passion to win inspirational. The game finished with a flourish as Keillan Mahoney, Griff ‘Greased Lightning’ Lloyd (twice) and Loyd Owens crossed before the final whistle to ensure victory and wrap up a thoroughly enjoyable morning of rugby. The game had as usual been full of endeavour and bravery from both teams, Brecon had played their hearts out to the end but had simply been overwhelmed. In past games Ponty had shown flashes of inspirational teamwork, all to often then discarded in favour of individual glory, today, the inspiration came in long rolling waves and proved totally irresistible. All the players without exception had played with flair, intelligence and discipline, by far their finest display so far this season and next week they will need to step up another notch as they face the mighty Bridgend team, whom this group of players have never beaten, hopefully they are peeking at just the right time!
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