Pontypridd v Treorchy

In their first match the boys were up against their old rivals Treorchy which they knew would be a tough opener. The game started with Treorchy kicking off and they were immediately on the front foot with a scrum from a Ponty knock on. A quick heel from the scrum saw Treorchy run hard at Ponty but Ponty’s well drilled defence held firm. A good box kick from Adam Ashford saw Ponty get out of their half and after a great chase Ponty managed to turn the ball over and were awarded a penalty after hands in the ruck.

Ponty took a quick tap and good hands from the Ponty back line saw the ball in Lucas Hickman’s hands who pinned his ears back and sped down the line like roadrunner only to be tackled into touch 10 meters out. From a scrum close to the Treorchy line, scrum half Adam Ashford saw some space on the blind and fed Lucas again but strong defensive tackling from the Treorchy winger stopped him in his tracks and forced him into touch.

With the last play of the first half Treorchy kicked up field but Ponty’s playmaker Shaun Bowditch had read their intentions and was ready, he caught the ball and sliced through the Treorchy defence but with the line beckoning a great try saving tackle kept him out. Half Time – Pontypridd 0 Treorchy 0

Ponty started the second half still wondering how they hadn’t contrived to cross the Treorchy whitewash. A good restart and chase kept Treorchy pinned in their own half and strong tackling by the forwards ensured that Treorchy would have to work hard to move the ball up field.

Ponty kept the pressure on their opposition with sterling work by the Ponty forwards creating good ball for the backs to use, quick ball saw Callum Pearce have a strong run but again he found a wall of black shirts blocking his path to the line. Ponty continued to dominate territory and possession but dogged defence from Treorchy stopped Ponty crossing the line.

With time running out a great drive by the forwards set up quick ball for the backs who showed slick passing and got the ball out to wing Lewis Allen who went agonisingly close but was adjudged in touch when diving for the try. Full Time Pontypridd 0 Treorchy

Pontypridd v Nottingham B

After the disappointment of only drawing their first game the boys were determined to convert their chances against their opponents from over the bridge. Ponty started the game the same way as they had ended their last with strong powerful play from both backs and forwards keeping Nottingham B penned deep in their own half.

From a scrum 10 meters out a planned move by Ponty saw Shaun Bowditch cross for Ponty’s first try of the tournament. The relief could be seen on all the players faces that after all the grafting and knocking on the door a try had finally come. From the restart a good kick saw Ponty deep in their own half but a good kick and chase relieved pressure.

From a scrum Ponty got quick ball and a good run by Jamie Chapman saw him make valuable yards before being tackled but managed to offload the ball to Lucas Hickman who had made his way over from the opposite line but a good tackle saw him stopped just short, but Ponty’s forwards were there quickly to secure the ball but were unable to get the ball out quickly and were instead awarded an attacking scrum.

From the scrum the ever alert scrum half Adam Ashford saw a small gap and took it crashing over for Ponty’s second try. Half Time: Pontypridd 10 Nottingham ‘B’ 0

Ponty started the second half full of confidence and a great restart from Adam Ashford saw Shaun Bowditch collect the ball and ship it out quickly to Lucas Hickman who ran strong but was tackled, however the forwards got there quickly with some great work from the Ponty front row Gregor McCain, Adam ‘Ox’ Morris and Ben Kondella cleared out every thing in front of them leaving clean ball for the backs to use, good quick hands again from the backs saw acres of space for Callum Pearce to score.

Nottingham came back in to the game and put pressure on Ponty but the determination was there to see that the boys were not going to yield a try. From a line out deep in their own half a good catch by Daniel Griffiths released Ponty’s exciting backs who’s only intention was to run saw Callum Pearce jink his way almost the length of the field before being tackled but had good presence to pop the ball to the supporting Shaun Bowditch who unselfishly drew the last defender before passing to Morgan Burgess who crossed for Ponty’s forth try.

From the kick off Callum Pearce was at it again jinking and swerving passed the Nottingham defence before offloading to Morgan Burgess who scored his second try in as many minutes. Full Time: Pontypridd 35 Nottingham ‘B’ 0

Pontypridd under 10’s v Rhydfelen under 10’s

Ponty’s third match was against local rivals Rhydfelen and the boys were eager to get going as it had been a long wait since their last game. Rhydfelen started the game and Ponty immediately went on the attack, after a strong rolling maul great work by Daniel Griffiths saw him break free and attack the opposition and although he was well tackled the forwards arrived on mass clearing the ball for scrum half Adam Ashford to pick up and break down the blind side to score the opening try.

Ponty continued to pressure but good defensive work by Rhydfelen kept them from increasing their lead. From a defensive line out Ponty showed their willingness to attack from deep with Lucas Hickman breaking down the touchline and making good ground before being bundled into touch. Rhydfelen came back into the game with strong running from both backs and forwards and were awarded a penalty 10 meters from the Ponty try line.

A well rehearsed move saw them breach the Ponty defence and crash over to level the scores. Half Time: Pontypridd 5 Rhydfelen 5

After a strong half time team talk Ponty came out fired up and immediately got their opposition on the back foot knocking them backwards in every tackle and challenging for any loose ball. The ball was amongst a body of players who were all fighting to gain possession when out of nowhere Jasper Powell broke free with ball in hand and dived over to give Ponty the lead. 

With only a few minutes to go the Ponty boys knew that their opposition would come at them hard and true to form they threw the kitchen sink at Ponty’s try line but excellent tackling by the Ponty boys kept them out and forced them into touch. With moments to go and only 5 meters from their own try line the ball was won in the line out but as they had done all tournament instead of kicking the ball up field they showed their flair and ran from deep with first Jasper Powell and then Lewis Allen gaining good yards and as the hooter went for full time Lewis used his rugby brain and dived into touch to end the game. Full Time: Pontypridd 10 Rhydfelen 5

Pontypridd under 10’s v Nottingham ‘A’ under 10’s

After a long and gruelling season it came down to the last game of the season to see if the Ponty boys could round it all off by winning their own tournament for the second year running. Their opposition in the final game came from across the border in the shape of Nottingham ‘A’ who were unbeaten thus far. The Ponty boys knew that they would need their A game to come out on top. 

Ponty won the toss and Captain Gregor McCain decided to kick off. Nottingham started strong with powerful runs up the middle but strong tackling from Ponty led by Rhys Grainger stopped them from getting an early score. The pressure increased on the Ponty line but again the boys tackled as if their lives depended on it.

Ponty then came back into the game and showed great character driving the bigger Nottingham boys back but could not manage to cross the whitewash. Half Time: Pontypridd 0 Nottingham ‘A’ 0

Nottingham started the second half with a long kick downfield which was fielded by Shaun Bowditch who ran back strong only to be tackled on the half way line but the forwards got there quickly and done enough to ensure that Ponty were awarded the put in at the scrum. From the scrum another sharp break down the blind side by Adam Ashford created a two on one and after drawing the man popped the pass to Morgan Burgess who dived over in the corner to the delight of the players and the screaming parents.

Nottingham knew that if they didn’t score their dreams of taking the trophy back home would be gone; they came back strong and after being camped on the Ponty line for some time they managed to force the ball over the try line to level the scores thus giving them the advantage in the tournament. It was then Ponty’s turn to realise that only a win would give them the silverware and champions title and they threw the kitchen sink at the Nottingham line with powerful runs and strong rucking and mauling but to Nottingham’s credit their defensive tackling was up to the challenge.

With only a matter of minutes to go Ponty created a rolling maul dragging in the Nottingham defenders before releasing Morgan Burgess who with only 5 meters to go looked destined to score and although ha crossed the line the referee deemed that he had been held up and awarded a 5 meter scrum to Ponty. Despite the disappointment Ponty again got quick ball and slick passing along the backs saw Lewis Allen crash through the Nottingham defender on the line and looked as if he had scored the winning try.

With the crowd going wild the referee again deemed that the ball had not been grounded and awarded another 5 meter scrum but before the scrum could be formed the hooter went to end the game. Full Time Pontypridd 5 Nottingham ‘A’ 5

Despite this heartbreaking result and although a video ref would probably awarded the last two decisions it was great to see the sportsmanship shown by all the boys in congratulating the Nottingham boys at the end of the game and then they followed this with a lap of the field to which they received rapturous applause. Although not losing a single game the Ponty boys had to settle for runners up spot.

Squad for the day: Gregor McCain, Adam ‘Ox’ Morris, Ben Kondella, Daniel Griffiths, Jasper Powell, Adam Ashford, Shaun Bowditch, Rhys Grainger, Jamie Chapman, Lucas Hickman, Callum Pearce, Morgan Burgess, Lewis Allen, Harley Jones, Lloyd Harris.

Well done to all the boys for a great season, enjoy the break and come back fitter and stronger next season.

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