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Page 1 of 2 PONTYPRIDD YOUTH 59 – 0 YSTRAD RHONDDA YOUTHPonty youth kicked off their Taff Rhondda League campaign for 2006/07 with a thumping win over Ystrad Rhondda in their first ever league match. Match Photo's
Once again this very young youth side were a number of key players short, and were forced into playing a many players out of position, including flanker Alun Thomas at Fullback, prop Dale Pugh at Lock along with wing Ben Troake at inside centre. Ponty started at a ferocious pace, with a huge tackle from Dale Pugh following the kick off forcing Ystrad to concede a lineout 15 metres from their try line. Hooker Sam Oliver called a set lineout move involving giant prop James Sullivan who was held up just short, but his prop partner Marc Jones was on hand to cross for the opening try with less than 2 minutes played. In the absence of regular kicker Rhys Simms, Captain Lewis Smith took over the kicking duties for the day and superbly converted a difficult kick from wide out. Within minutes Ponty had extended their lead, when an excellent break from outstanding centre Dan Deardon resulted in a try for stand in winger Max Padfield, again the kick was successfully converted by Smith. Things went from bad to worse for Ystrad when they lost a player to the sin bin and during his absence Ponty struck for two further tries. The first was a brilliant solo effort from the flying openside Dafydd Gristock, who showed fantastic speed to burst from a ruck and sprint 40 metres for a try under the posts that was again converted by Smith. The second was another excellent try wide out for the impressive Lewis Smith after some fantastic handling by his team-mates. It was Pontypridd's turn next to lose a player to the sin-bin for constant infringement, but although they were a man short Ponty continued with their ferocious assault and crossed for another try when prop Sullivan powered over. The try was a result of an impressive one-two between Sullivan and the fly-half Smith, some excellent inside running from set Sullivan on his way. Smith narrowly missed with the conversion, leaving the half time score Pontypridd 33 – 0 Ystrad Rhondda. The second half saw no respite for Ystrad, with Ponty centre Dan Deardon producing another brilliant solo break and this time he needed no assistance; bursting through the final tackle for a well deserved try that was converted by Smith. Ponty were now in unforgiving mood and another clever line out move involving Oliver along with stand in number 8 Mike Davies, saw the hard grafting blindside Jonathan Reid burst through the cover defence and sprint 20 metres to cross wide out for a well worked try. Flyhalf Lewis Smith was having the game of his life and was giving a test book exhibition of his undoubted skills. After launching a clever move near the half way, he was on hand to demonstrate he has strength as well as skill and drove through three attempted tackles to score his second try that he again converted. In fairness to Ystrad they continued to battle bravely and were causing Ponty problems in the scrum. However Ponty were rampant in the loose and when Ystrad were penalised in their own 22, powerhouse lock Nathaniel Williams smashed over from a quick penalty for another try that was just rewards for his awesome performance in both the tight and loose. Smith was again on target with the kick to take his personal tally for the day to 24 points from two tries and 7 conversions. Final score was 59 - nil to Pontypridd Youth in what was their best performance of the Season to date. Once again flyhalf Smith more than demonstrated his ability to play senior Rugby at a high level, as did centre and man of the match Dan Deardon, who is another who should be wearing the senior black and white shirt in the not too distant future. The Pack were also very impressive, with the back row of Dafydd Gristock, Jon Reid and Mike Davies in outstanding form. It's fair to say that all 17 players used by Ponty showed excellent form and more than made up for the below par performance against Tondu a week earlier. Well Done. TRY Scorers were Marc Jones, Max Padfield, Dafydd Gristock, Lewis Smith (2), James Sullivan, Dan Deardon, Jonathan Reid and Nathaniel Williams. Lewis Smith kicked 7 excellent conversions.
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