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Page 1 of 2 UNDER 9’s Pontypridd 35 - 0 Treorchy A bright, but cold morning greeted us as we arrived at Treorchy, the supporters in an understandably gloomy mood, despite the magnificent scenery surrounding us, debating and dissecting the failure of the Welsh team the day before.
The players warmed up, their youthful exuberance oblivious to the hangover their parents were feeling from the previous day (and night) and followed their captain Iwan Cavill onto the pitch full of enthusiasm and confidence for the challenge ahead. Treorchy kicked off deep into the Ponty half and from the opening moment it was clear Ponty wanted to play an expansive and attractive game. A series of fine individual runs and well timed passes saw Ponty quickly move to within striking distance of their opponents try line. Treorchy tackled and defended bravely holding the Ponty surge at bay time and time again, but unable to gain possession. All the supporters were fully engrossed appreciating the endeavour of both teams, when in the fourth minute the pressure finally told and yet again Jay the ‘Pocket Battleship’ Jones powered his way through several tackles from close range to score the opening try, a feat he quickly repeated 2 minutes later for his second. The game continued with Ponty looking to run and pass the ball along the line, their support play, offloading and teamwork a notch up from their performance last week as Treorchy doggedly tackled and tried to hold Ponty back. The match was proving to be open and expansive as the Treorchy referee handled the game in a sympathetic and encouraging way, fully utilising the advantage rule to ensure the game flowed and was as attractive as possible… Well-done ref! The boys have been working hard on their defence; they move up quickly on their opponents and smothered any attacking moves before they could start with tenacity and determined tackling. The pressure they exerted prevented Treorchy from escaping their own half and eventually Rhodri Smith showed fine individual skills to cross for Ponty’s third try on eight minutes. Within a minute the relentless tackling again drove Treorchy back and Griff ‘Greased Lightning’ Lloyd surged over the line for another Ponty try just before half time break. The second half saw much the same pattern …Ponty’s ‘offensive-defense’ driving back Treorchy at every opportunity, Rhodri Smith again pouncing on a turnover ball to score his second, his hat trick followed only three minutes later. The gloom of the previous day was now a distant memory as the supporters cheered the efforts of both teams. Ponty powered forward remorselessly and scored their final try on sixteen minutes when Callum ‘Tucker’ Hall celebrating the birth of his new baby brother, crossed the line after a fine flowing move that saw the ball moved quickly through the hands almost the full width of the pitch. Treorchy who tackled their hearts out throughout the game, showing determination and resolve as strong at the end as at the beginning and thoroughly deserved the applause at the end of the match for their part. Ponty now look to next week and the challenge of Aberdare, it seems like preparation for the 2019 Rugby World Cup has already started! TRY Scorers: Jay Jones (2), Rhodri Smith (3), Griff Lloyd and Callum Hall.
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