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Page 1 of 2 PONTYPRIDD v YNYSBWL 14th OCTOBER 2007Ponty turned up at the ‘Bwl’ in fine spirits on a grey damp autumnal day, many of the players from both sides share friendships in the local schools and the banter between them up to this point had been jovial and friendly, with everyone looking forward to a hard but enjoyable local derby.
Pontypridd U9’s 20 Ynysbwl U9’s 5 This week Ponty showed none of the pre-match complacency evident last week, as England had once again demonstrated against France, that the team with the greatest heart and desire could overcome a team with more natural talent. Josh Barnes led his team out and straight from the kick off Ponty immediately showed their driving defence was back to it’s best as they held the ‘Bwl’ surge and relentlessly harried and pushed them back towards their own line. Their teamwork in the rucks and mauls was the finest they had shown this season, and it was of little surprise when Rhys ‘Little’ Britton powered through the defence from short range to set Ponty on their way after 3 minutes. The tone of the match appeared to be set, Ynysybwl have some big players, but try as hard as they could, the Ponty defence stopped them in their tracks, and drove them back in the rucks. Grufydd ‘Greased Lightning’ Lloyd, a pillar of strength in defence showed his pace and power on 7 minutes with a fine run to put Ponty 10 points ahead. The jovial banter had stopped, replaced by a palpable air of grim determination. Like England, Ponty pride themselves on their defence, and thus it was a shock when from the kick off the ‘Bwl’ ran half the length of the pitch, dancing through some half hearted tackling to bring themselves right back into the game. Unlike England though, Ponty have an attack to match their normally ferocious defence, and immediately up stepped the ‘Pocket Battleship’ Jay Jones, a scything power packed run from inside his own half restoring the two try advantage just before half time. The second half saw Ynysybwl gamely trying to respond, their players charging at the Ponty defence, their ball retention improved from the first half showing they could string a number of phases together, all to no avail, the Ponty defence standing firm and resolute, before Carl Blacker left the ‘Bwl’ defenders flatfooted to score Ponty’s fourth, and the games last try on 14 minutes. The boys have always tried to play an attacking open game and this match was no exception, as good as their teamwork was in defence, at times it was lacking in attack, a number of opportunities squandered by their failure to pass the ball through the hands and utilise the pace they have out wide. First game then went to Ponty, could they now secure the bragging rights by repeating the feat in the second game? Pontypridd U9’s 25 Ynysybwl U9’s 5 The sides lined up for the start of the second half, captain Keelan Mahoney urging his players to show the passion of the first game and keep Ponty’s success going, Ynysybwl, smarting from their defeat anxious to make amends, the supporters looking forward to another entertainment packed match. Just as in the first game, both sides demonstrated desire and determination, and as in the first game, Ponty’s defence was immense, repulsing the Ynysybwl attacks before they could get started then driving them backwards at every opportunity. The ‘Pocket Battleship’ Jay Jones breaking the deadlock with a well timed interception try after 2 minutes. A minute later and Lloyd Owens with a fine outside arcing run left the ‘Bwl’ players trailing in his wake to put Ponty 10 points up. Owain Morris then completed the scoring minutes before half time when he bulldozed his way through the defence from 10 yards giving Ponty a comfortable half time lead. The sheer physical effort by both sides had been exemplary, and again Ynysybyl came back in the second half scampering through a maul to score a fine try and show they had not given up hope yet. Dafydd Smith capped an outstanding all round performance with his try on 14 minutes, and it was clear the intensity of the game had increased yet again, both teams flying into the tackles, Callum’Tucker’ Hall making some surging runs, whilst Rhys ‘Little’ Britton bravely tackled anything that moved. The cohesion of the Ponty team matched it’s passion and determination not to let in another try, and finally with almost the last move of the match Lloyd Owens again showed his pace to score his second and Ponty’s fifth try of the match. During the two games all the squad had played their part, and it was clear yet again that whilst Ponty have some outstanding individual players their success is due to their teamwork and the sheer determination they all share not to be beaten. Every single player showed his commitment and desire to play for the team which was proudly appreciated by the watching supporters.
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