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Page 1 of 2 Let the good times roll...Pontypridd Under 9’s entered the Pontypridd Tournament on the back of a couple of wins. In what can be described as and indifferent season that has seen Ponty lose quite a few games, a good training session last Wednesday put the boys in a good frame of mind.
First up was St Albands, a well respect rugby club with a bit of a reputation for playing the game hard but fair. Ponty were rally fired up for this one with bone crunching tackles leading to a turn over straight away. Mason Pritchard put in a cross-field kick, which bounced nicely into winger Adam Ashford’s hands only for an St Albands play to collide with him stopping a certain try. A maul that St Albands set up was quickly destroyed for Jasper Powell to pick up and run in a try. Nerves settle Ponty picked up the pace and played some cracking rugby for Jasper to score his second, third and fourth try. Lucas Hickman made the game safe with a typical bob weave and jink to the line leave a host of defenders clutching at thin air. Several changes were made and Adam The Ox Morris picked up from 20 meters out and drove forward. Legs pumping and face full of determination he was held up short only for his team mates to push him the remainder of the way to make it 30-0. The game now opened up with Callum’s Williams and Pearce making breaks. Mason Pritchard caught a lose pass and with 7 men in front of him threw the most outrageous dummy sending 4 of them one way and 3 the other. Now only 2 full backs to beat his dummied again and sent the defenders the wrong way. With the score being 35-0 the ref called time early on leaving Ponty with what was a fantastic start. Pontypridd Under 9’s 35 - St Albands 0 Scorers: Jasper Powell (4) Mason Pritchard, Adam Morris and Lucas Hickman. Next Up Treorchy... Ponty went in to the Treorchy game full of confidence but knowing the their game had to be raised. We had lost 20-10 at Treorchy earlier that year and knew all about what they were capable of. Our defence in this game was awesome. Lead by Callum Pearce they were knocking players down and forcing turnovers. Our trusted Fiji move almost brought a try but we lost possession at the last minute. Treorchy tried to run out of defence only to be halted by Callum Pearce who drove a Treorchy player back 10 meters over his own line. The ball was awarded to Ponty and Mason Pritchard used his bulk to barge over the line from 5m. Ponty continued to tackle well and pegged Treorchy back on their own line for the whole of the first half. Treorchy tried to play rugby but time after time they were knocked back. Lloyd Harries made a couple of telling tackles and saved some tries as well as offering himself in attack, you’d think this boy had been playing rugby for years not weeks. In the second half Treorchy tried to kick out of defence but only found the arms of Liam Morton who rounded 3 defenders to score on the corner, a fantastic sole effort. At 10-0 up substitutions were made by Ponty to slow the game down. Harley Jones used all his experience to hold the ball in the mauls and did a fantastic job in the tight helped by Daniel Griffiths and Greggor Mackay. Callum Williams showed his class with his skill full running and offloading keeping Treorchy gussing all of the time. Adam the Ox Morris provided the bulk we needed to stuffle out Treorchy drives and sent them backwards numerous times. Mason Pritchard cleared from his own line for the ball to go on and on before for Japer Powell beat the defender for pace and jumped on the ball for a try securing Ponty’s victory, however, Treorchy never gave up and scored a fantastic try right at the end. In a great game of rugby high in entertainment, controversy and commitment the moved of the day was carried out by Gethin Llewellyn. He caught the ball beat a defender and the when tackled fell to the floor and laid the ball back perfectly. If this game had been videoed then this move could have been sent off and placed in every coaching video there is. Having won the game 15-0 Ponty now faced one more game against Abercynon to secure 1st place. Pontypridd Under 9’s 15 - Treorchy 5 Scorers: Jasper Powell, Liam Morton and Mason Pritchard. A game to far – or maybe not? The final game for Ponty was brought forward a little and after a light warm up session the players were briefed as to what they had to do. No sterling team talk was needed, no shouting or speeches. Just looking at Rhys Grainger with his eyes in the back of his head said everything. If we won we are champions, if Abercynon won or drew it was theirs. The game kicked off and opened at a fantastic pace. Ponty put phase after phase together with Greggor Mackay, Daniel Griffiths, Harley Jones and Rhys Grainger wining ruck after ruck for our backs to attack. Abercynon had the better of the game and a kick by Mason Pritchard bounced up for a 50/50 ball, unfortunately it bounced Abercynons way for their winger to go over in the corner. Ponty now had it all to do and spurred on by the vocal crowd on the sidelines attacks were made by Callum Pearce, Adam Ashford and Lucas Hickman. Liam Morton and Mason Pritchard bossed the game from 9 and 10 respectively. Greggor Mackay made sure all ball on the floor was Ponty’s taking kick after kick but getting on with it. Eventually Japer Powell broke away from a maul, again, and scored a try to level the scores. At half time it was 5-5 and all to play for but the players looked worn out and they were asked if they were fit for the second half. Daniel Griffiths, to his credit, revealed he was injured and losing someone of Daniels ability was a blow but knowing we had Ben Kondella coming on with fresh legs give us some hope. Daniel showed great attitude and commitment to the squad by revealing what was wrong and I thank him for his honesty. Rhys Grainger started the second half with his usual barn storming runs with good support and running from his teammates. Ben Kondella took the game to Abercynon but time after time they managed to stop us. Abercynon then came at us but each time we stopped them allowing Mason Pritchard to put in massive reliving kicks that Lucas Hickman could chase thus turning defence into attack. By now Adam Ashford was on fire taking the game to Abercynon with magical running, time after time he popped up in attack to beat the first man but we could not break them down. With about 2 minutes to go Lucas Hickman beat a man, our forwards rucked over, Liam Morton passed to Jasper Powell who ran down the wing and was just caught short. Greggor Mackay was the first man there again and held the ball up. Liam again spun the ball out to Callum Pearce who gave a great take and give to Lewis Allen. Beating the first man with a side step two defenders jumped on him but showing great strength and determination he just made the line to put Ponty in front 10-5. Ponty lined up knowing that they had to tackle well to secure the victory and that they did. Lewis Allen made tackle after tackle, Greggor won us every ruck and maul, how does he do it? Rhys and Ben did not stop running, Mason and Liam controlled the game while Callum Pearce showed super human strength to take the ball up the centre time after time, shaking men off and keeping possession. Adam and Lucas held the wings well dumping anyone who dared go near them into touch while Jasper was like a man possessed, poaching for tries, tackling, leading the defence, you name it he was there. The referee called last play and it was Ponty who had the ball. We were in the middle of the pitch and new we had to get the ball out of play. Greggor set up a maul and Ponty tried to drive him over the touch line to get him out, strangely Abercynon got on the other side of him and pushed him back into play. Somehow the maul broke up and at the ruck Abercynon won the ball and launched an attack. Our defence stood firm and drove them to the touchline. Once over the line the final whistle blew and Ponty were champions. The scenes were amazing with parents, coaches and players celebrating an amazing day of rugby. Pontypridd Under 9’s 10 Abercynon 5 Scorers: Jasper Powell and Lewis Allen. As head coach of the Under 9’s I would like to thank all of the players for their efforts on the day. Some of the rugby was breathtaking, the commitment and attitude was awesome. Thanks also to the coaching team Darren, Mark and Toby, you worked so hard on the day I hoped you had a good drink to wind down after woods. Thanks to all of the parents for helping out on the day and for you full support we could not have done it with out you. Thanks to Marc Wakeman, the referee, for helping out. Marc you have been a lifesaver this year and hoped you have enjoyed yourself. Thanks to Richard Voyle Mortgages for his continued support. As a coach of young children the winning does not matter to me but more the performance and development. Each of the players in my squad played rugby today of such a high standard it shocked me. I was so proud of you all and look forward to coaching you next year. Your desire to play well for Pontypridd really shone through and you were a credit to the Club your represent. Please keep it up and I’m sure over the next 9 years we’ll have more good days, more fun and more winner’s trophies. You are all stars and I’m pleased that at last you have won something that shows that we can be a force to be reckoned with. I’ve always believed you are winners and now you have proved it. Let the good times role!!!! Dean Price
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Nice one Deano. Good write-up. I agree - the boys were first class and had a well deserved trophy. Here's to next season !
