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Page 1 of 2 Under 12’s Llantrisant 7 – 49 Pontypridd. In a game of breathtaking rugby along with incredible passing and movement, Pontypridd showed just what they are capable of…
Due to injuries and illness, Llantrisant were struggling for a full squad, so it was agreed that they would borrow a couple of Pontypridd players to cover for the absences. The game started with Pontypridd under pressure as they failed to clear their lines from kick off. The impressive Llantrisant forwards and midfield kept Ponty pinned in their own half for the first ten minutes. Eventually the pressure told and our very own Alex Logan dived under the post to claim a try for Llantrisant that was dully converted. This seemed to be the catalyst for a display of attacking rugby and flair that the Pontypridd players have been threatening to do throughout the season. With quick ball from the forwards and unbelievable swift passing in midfield, new player Kubilay Han Aytac was put into space to score a deserved try on his debut.
From the restart Pontypridd recycled the ball and fed their huge prop Michael Connor who showed unbelievable pace to race forty yards and score a fantastic try despite the close attention of several Llantrisant defenders. Then it was the turn of Pontypridd District player Joshua Whiles-Pritchard who scored a superb hatrick in just five minutes to show why he’s selected on the wing for the district. Josh showed fantastic pace and excellent finishing skills to round the Llantrisant defence on each occasion, but praise should also go to his team mates who’s quick handling and passing created the gaps out wide for him to exploit. With the ever-present Joel Raikes converting Josh’s last try, the half time score stood at 27 – 7 to Pontypridd.
Impressive in the first half were forwards Will Thomas with his abrasive play, Nathan Payne who continually stole opposition ball, workhorse Steffan Jenkins and enthusiastic Gareth Cleaver who wanted to be involved in every play. In the backs Joshua Whiles-Pritchard was on fire with his hatrick, Joel Raikes was again in inspiring form, Liam Williams yet again showed why he has impressed the coaches enough to be put forward to the districts, debutant Kubilay Han Aytac looked impressive and quick, whilst scrum half Chris Jones was the catalyst for the team with his quick, slick passing and was a close runner for man of the match.
The second half started as the first had ended with Pontypridd’s quick handling skills continually stretching Llantrisant from one touchline to the other. After some excellent work by the forwards, fly half Dale Hughes broke clear to score an excellent team try that was successfully converted by Joel Raikes. From the restart Pontypridd’s awesome pack drove Llantrisant back towards their try line for flanker Nathan Payne to show great skill and a fantastic body angle to force his way over besides the close attention of the entire Llantrisant pack. By this time Pontypridd were completely dominant and Llantrisant’s heads appeared to have dropped, that was until Pontypridd’s prop Michael Conner broke free to charge thirty yards before being brought down just short of the try line by some fantastic determined tackling by the Llantrisant backs. This seemed to galvanise Llantrisant, who for the last ten minutes gave it their all, but were unfortunate to concede two more tries. The first try saw some excellent defence by Llantrisant to hold the dominant Pontypridd pack up on the line, but from the huddle an outstretched arm carefully placed the ball down on the try line; with the culprit being a beaming Gareth Cleaver. Some good work by the forwards from the restart saw quick ball for Dale Hughes to go on one of his trademark runs, ghosting in and out of the Llantrisant defenders to score unopposed under the posts as the final whistle was about to blow.
Impressive up front in the second half were the busy hooker Jordan Jevons, the new flying ‘wing’ Michael Connor, the aggressive Dan Williams, the keen Alex Knowles and the returning Ryan Jones. In the backs it was good to see the elusive Dale Hughes running at defences, Alex Logan’s performance more than made up for him having scored for the opposition earlier in the match, Mickey Jones typically put himself around the field and created many of the breaks for his team mates to exploit, Morgan Rees’s tackling was way above his stature and Garin Rossiter did everything asked of him.
This was very much a team performance and every players should be proud of their efforts. If the boys can play like this regularly there is no reason why they cannot go the rest of the season undefeated...
Llantrisant Try Scorer: Alex Logan Pontypridd Try scorers: Joshua Whiles-Pritchard (3), Dale Hughes (2), Kubilay Han Aytac, Michael Connor, Nathan Payne and Gareth Cleaver. Joel Raikes kicked two conversions.
Tonyrefail Upholstery Man of the Match: Gareth Cleaver www.tonyrefailupholstery.co.uk The coaches would like to especially thank Alex Logan, Ryan Jones, Will Thomas and Kubilay Han Aytac who in turn represented Llantrisant RFC to make up for their missing players. Pontypridd Squad: 1. Will Thomas, 2. Jordan Jevons, 3. Michael Connor, 4. Dan Williams, 5. Alex Knowles, 6. Nathan Payne, 7. Steffan Jenkins, 9. Chris Jones, 10. Dale Hughes, 12. Mickey Jones, 13. Morgan Rees, 11. Liam Williams, 14. Kubilay Han Aytac, 15. Garin Rossiter. Subs: Alex Logan, Ryan Jones, Joel Raikes, Joshua Whiles-Pritchard and Gareth Cleaver.
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