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Page 2 of 2 Worcester Academy 6 - 22 Pontypridd RFC Under 16's
Worcester Academy 7 - 36 Pontypridd RFC Under 16's
Sunday 11 December 2005 saw Pontypridd under 16's travel away to Worcester with only 17 fit players, where they played two huge matches against the previously unbeaten Worcester Academy's squad of 50 development players.
Pontypridd under 16's arrived at Worcester on Sunday 11 December. Worcesters multi million pound complex was an inspiring sight for our young lads. There are nine playing fields orbiting the sanctum, with the wealth of the English Academy structure was more than apparent. The Ponty Under 16's took the full squad up to Worcester before Christmas to play a series of games against the Worcester Warriors academy under 16's. Two games were arranged on the day, with the Ponty Squad facing both the Academy first and second teams. The first team game was a very close affair during the first half. The Worcester boys were very skilfull, but didn't seem to have the aggresive "valley dog" exhibited by the Ponty boys, were were ferocious at ruck and maul, regularly turning over Worcester posession at the breakdown. Ponty dominated posession during the first half, limiting the much fancied Worcester team to two long range penalty goals, however Ponty failed to take advantage of their dominance and for all their dominance only managed to score two unconverted tries to lead 10 - 6 at the interval. In the second half Ponty were quick to re exert their dominance, and the Worcester side were starved of posession, regularly losing their own line out's and scrums, and being completely outplayed in the loose. It was only a matter of time before Ponty added to their scores, and after some excellent driving forward play, the Ponty backs cut loose scoring three more tries, two converted to win the match 29 points to 6. It must of been heartbreaking for the Worcester 2nd's to see their team mates completely outplayed and they seemed to be a beaten side even before taking the field for the second match. The Ponty seconds were eager to show the coaches what they were capable of and set about their Worcester opponents in similar fashion. Once again Ponty were comtely dominantand Worcester had no answer for the driving play of the Ponty forwards or pace or power of the backs. Ponty led 19 points to nil at half time, from three tries and two conversions, the pick of the tries canme from wing Owen Kingsbury who collected a brilliant cross field kick from fly half Rhys Simms to score in the corner. The second half was a similar affair with Ponty adding a further two tries and a conversion, before Worcester scored a late consolation try to take the final score to 31-7 This was a magnificent effort from the whole squad,with all players showing the type of form that won them their European trophy last year. Captain Dean Maissey and Vice Captain Jarod Scaplehorn were inspirational for their leadership both on the field and in encouraging the seconds, and it was great to see a return to form for big lock Nathaniel Williams, Flanker Alun Thomas, speedy wing Lewis Williams and scrum half Rhys Ashman Fifty Worcester academy players awaited the contest, with coaches in their colours looking at and expecting a no contest. They had a bit of a shock when the game began and ended with the opposition mainly arguing amongst themselves wondering what had arrived as Pontypridd walked off the field having won 22 - 6. Apparently they were unbeaten for some time, as were Widden when their under 16's visited Sardis. But their record was destroyed at the hands of an excellent Pontypridd team. Twenty minutes later another academy 15 lined up (they dont call them 1st and 2nds}, our same lads put back on their colours and took to the field. this time the win was even more comprehensive with Pontypridd coming off 36 - 7 winners. They were clearly suprised to lose and apparently are not too keen on a rematch, though the club would love to invite them to Sardis for the opportunity to try and gain revenge.
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