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Page 1 of 2 The boys arrived at Brecon in good spirits eagerly anticipating a tough tournament. They were drawn in pool A along with hosts Brecon, Builth Wells, Abertillery & Abercrave. This would be a tough group and also a bit of an unknown quantity as they had only played against the host Brecon previously.
PONTY v BUILTH WELLS Ponty’s first pool match was against Builth Wells who looked a much bigger side. As soon as the game started it was evident that although the smaller side of the two Ponty’s speed and technical ability was superior. In a one sided game Ponty dominated in all phases and their speed to the breakdown to recycle quick ball allowed the backs to show off their skills and run in 5 tries. 3 tries were scored by winger Lucas Hickman and 2 by outside half Shaun Bowditch. All 5 tries were converted by Adam Ashford. Full Time Pontypridd: 35 Builth Wells 0 PONTY v ABERTILLERY After the success of the first game the boys were chomping at the bit to start their second game against Abertillery. The game started with Ponty kicking off and a good chase forced their opponents to knock on. From the scrum a blind side break from Adam Ashford saw him release Lucas Hickman who after his success in the first game was hungry for more but a good tackle from the Abertillery winger forced him into touch just short of the line. Ponty kept up the pressure knocking Abertillery back with some fierce tackling eventually forcing a turn over and with the forwards producing quick ball the ball was passed to Rhys Grainger who crashed over the line for the first try of the game. Converted by Adam Ashford. From the restart a good catch by Shaun Bowditch saw him run strongly and gain good ground before being bundled into touch. Ponty continued to dominate both territory and possession and were awarded a penalty which they took quickly catching the opposition off guard only for the ball to be knocked on with the line beckoning. Half Time: Pontypridd 7 Abertillery 0 Abertillery started the second half and Ponty were again on the offensive with strong running from Ben Kondella and Rhys Grainger but unfortunately the ball was spilled and possession lost. From the scrum a good rush defence forced a turn over and quick ball saw Lucas Hickman go almost the length of the field to score. Abertillery to their credit never gave up despite having little ball and tackled manfully but were met with wave after wave of Ponty attackers. Adam Ashford received a ball from a kick and with determination written all over his face ran at the Abertillery defence and after breaking several tackles and jinking back and forth (his feet moving faster than Michael Flattely!!) passed the ball out to Lewis Allen who sidestepped inside only to be met with a big tackle, despite this he laid the ball back for the forwards to ruck over but in their eagerness to get ball in hand it was knocked on. Abertillery tried to run at the Ponty defence but aggressive tackling saw Ponty yet again turn the ball over but were held up over the line. With the last play of the game quick ball from the 5 meter scrum released the backs but with the try line inches away over eagerness to score saw the ball knocked on. Full Time: Pontypridd 12 Abertillery 0 PONTY v BRECON After a 100% record and without conceding a try the Ponty boys were pumped up for this game against the tournament hosts. Having drawn against them in their last encounter at home if Ponty managed to go one better they would almost certainly guarantee a place in the semi finals. The game was started by Brecon and as is the norm Ponty collected the kick off and immediately took the game to their opponents with some strong running by Adam Ashford and Jasper Powell but Brecon were also up for the challenge and met fire with fire managing to get the Ponty maul driven into touch. A scrum on the half way line saw Ponty deploy their newly rehearsed move bringing Rhys Grainger on the crash ball (ala Ray Gravell in is hay day) but again the Brecon defence held firm. Brecon then got some possession and after a good driving maul they broke on the open side and managed to crash over in the corner. Half Time: Pontypridd 0 Brecon 5 After a brief talk at the break Ponty came out full of determination and were on the offensive keeping Brecon penned in to their own half but give credit to Brecon they managed to keep possession and eventually marched up field before being stopped by good defensive tackling from Ponty. Ponty were awarded a penalty on the half way line after the Brecon scrum half was caught offside. A quick tap by Adam Ashford saw the ball moved quickly to Lewis Allen on the outside only to be squeezed out inches from the line by some good cover defence. With only a few minutes to go Ponty realised that this was their best chance to win the game and from the line out good spoiling work by Greggor McCain and Daniel Griffiths made life hard for the Brecon scrum half but his forwards managed to regroup and secure the ball and when everyone thought they would kick to relieve pressure the Brecon boys showed some initiative and ran from their own line catching Ponty on the hop but a good tackle from Morgan Burgess stopped the move just short of the try line. With the last move of the match Brecon had a scrum 5 meters out from the Ponty line and the Brecon scrum half was clever enough to know that as soon as the ball went dead the game was over so instead of risking a knock on or interception pass he picked up the ball from the base of the scrum and ran into touch. Full Time Pontypridd 0 Brecon 5 PONTY v ABERCRAVE After the disappointment of the last game the boys had to pick themselves up for their final crucial pool match which they had to win to have any chance of progressing to the semi final stage. Ponty started the game and after a good chase gained good field position but after turning the ball over could not capitalise. Knowing that this was a must win game the Ponty boys gave their all and after several phases of play and being camped on the Abercrave line they were awarded a 5 meter scrum after being held up over the line. From the scrum a blind side break by scrum half Callum Pearce was stopped short but the forwards managed to get there quickly and with good work being done by Adam ‘Ox’ Morris the ball was recycled for Callum Pearce to use ‘The Ox’ as a shield and crash over for the games first try. Converted by Adam Ashford. Half Time Pontypridd 7 Abercrave 0 Abercrave started the second half with a good kick which found its way into touch 10 meters from the Ponty line. From the line out the Ponty forwards secured the ball and a great driving maul saw them advance down field before allowing the ball to come back for the backs to use their quick hands to release Lucas Hickman to score in the corner. Straight from the restart Adam Ashford collected the ball and went on one of his jinking runs (I think he was trying to side step every player twice!!). Despite finally being tackled he served the ball up an a plate for the backs again to show their stuff and with a three to one overlap Morgan Burgess strolled over for Ponty’s third try. Converted by Adam Ashford. Ponty continued to dominate all phases but credit had to be given to Abercrave who never stopped trying and tackled their hearts out. Full Time: Pontypridd 19 Abercrave 0 SEMI FINAL PONTY v YSTRADGYNLAIS After an anxious wait it was confirmed that Ponty finished runners up in pool A and would meet the winners of pool B who were Ystradgynlais. This was going to be a difficult game for Ponty as Ystradgynlais were unbeaten in their pool and looked a very well organised team. Ystrad started the game and Ponty as they had done all tournament ran at the opposition but were met with strong aggressive tackling from Ystradgynlais. Both sides played an open and attractive running game but it was Ystrad who started to come out on top and after some good forward play set the ball up for their exciting backs to attack and despite good defensive tackling from Ponty managed to get over in the corner for the games first try which they also converted. From the restart Ystrad again attacked and a slick move from their backs released their winger who went half the length of the field to score and with a successful conversion doubled their lead. Half Time: Pontypridd 0 Ystradgynlais 14 Although not out of the game the Ponty boys knew that with each half only lasting 7 minutes they would need to strike early in the second half. They decided to kick long off the restart to gain good field position but Ystradgynlais were in no mood to relinquish their lead and cleared the ball up field but a good catch by Jasper Powell saw him take Ponty back on the offensive and with good support from Lloyd Harris and Harley Jones managed to give Ponty quick ball which was shipped out to Lucas Hickman on the wing but Ystrad’s defence held up and managed to force him into touch. In the final minute of the match with Ponty knocking on the Ystrad line a good kick up field and a great chase by the Ystrad forwards saw them gather possession and set up quick ball for their backs to run over in the corner for the games final try. Full Time: Pontypridd 0 Ystradgynlais 19 Pontypridd squad for the tournament: Greggor McCain, Ben Kondella, Adam Morris, Jasper Powell, Daniel Griffiths, Lloyd Harris, Harley Jones, Callum Pearce, Shaun Bowditch, Morgan Burgess, Lewis Allen, Adam Ashford, Lucas Hickman, Jamie Chapman. Although failing to reach the final the boys can be proud of the attitude and commitment shown throughout the day and despite being disappointed they held their head up high after the semi final to do a lap of the pitch to acclaim the congratulations of all the spectators for their hard work. Well done boys and good luck for next Sunday’s tournament in Coventry (Barkers Butts)
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