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Page 1 of 2 YOUTH RUGBY: Pontyclun 15 - 14 PontypriddAn injury depleted Pontypridd were unlucky to lose this tight match against a strong first division Pontyclun youth side...
The fall out of the narrow cup defeat for Ponty against Ystrad Rhondda, proved far worse than initially thought, with outstanding full back Rhys Simms being diagnosed with a broken hand, centres Dan Deardon (Knee) and Lewis Egal (shoulder) joining Dean Maissey, Dafydd Gristock, Drew Evans, Lewis Williams and Stephen Parker on the long term injury list. As a result a patched up Ponty travelled to Pontyclun for a friendly with the dressing room looking more like a scene from casualty than a rugby team. Once again Tom Newberry was forced into covering second row, and Ben Miles again featured out of position on the wing. Ponty were lucky enough to get some reinforcements with promising Blues back rower Sam Studley completing his transfer to the club, where he hopes to switch to scrum half on the advice of the Blues. In addition thanks to Ponty stalwart Joe Smith, the youth have been lucky enough to get two young South African students on permit until the end of January. These two young boks are flyhalf Johannes Pretorius and hooker Steyn de Vos, both were able to make their debuts at Pontyclun. With the injury problems, Johannes started at inside centre, with fellow newcomer Sam Studley at scrum half, so Steyn was on the bench. Pontypridd started brightly, but were unlucky when Pontyclun opened the scoring with a well struck penalty after a dubious penalty for jackling? Ponty were quickly back on the attack after an excellent break by Lewis Smith, with South African Pretorius just halted 15 metres from the Pontyclun try-line. As Pontypridd were gaining momentum, play was halted for some time after Pontypridd no. 8 Alun "Beefy" Thomas sustained a fractured hip during a ruck. Thomas was replaced by Steyn de Vos, in an unfamiliar role, however with no other forward cover available there was little choice. Once again Ponty struggled without any recognised specialist line out jumpers, and first phase possession was difficult to obtain. Under sustained pressure it was odds on the Ponty defence would eventually crack, however after all their brave defensive work, the try when it came was a soft score. Pontyclun were attacking close to the Ponty line when the ball carrier appeared to spill the ball forward, Ponty appealed for the knock on, but the referee waived play on as a Pontyclun player dived on the loose ball for a simple score that was well converted to finish the half Pontyclun 10 Pontypridd 0. After a brief discussion at half time, it was a fired up Pontypridd who returned to the field. It wasn't long before confident running by the backs saw Pontypridd awarded another penalty chance that was unfortunately missed once again due to the injury absence of their regular goal kicker. Pontypridd weren't going to let this disappoint them and after a long period of pressure in the Pontyclun half, fly half Smith linked with Pretorius whose inside ball found his fellow countryman making a powerful run from deep. Steyn de Vos, powered through the first tackle and sprinted away under the posts, using brute strength to clatter the full back who made a desperate attempt at a last ditch tackle. Pretorius asked if he could take over the kicking duties and duly converted to take the score to 10-7. Pontypridd were now getting on top and were growing in confidence as the Ponty back row turned over Pontyclun ball deep in the Pontypridd half. Lewis Smith spotted some front row forwards in the defensive line and punished them mercilessly. Using Pretorius as a decoy Lewis glided between the two props, sprinted the length of the field, outpaced the covering full back and wing to cross in the corner. Pontypridd needed the conversion to take the lead and the debutant Pretorius kicked a magnificent conversion from the touch line to take the score to Pontyclun 10 Pontypridd 14. With the game drawing to a close, it appeared that Pontypridd would hold on for a win against their first division neighbours; however the impressive Pretorius aggravated a knee injury and was forced off the field with three minutes to go. Pontypridd with very few fit players left, were forced into a reshuffle with a wing and scrum half now making up the centre three quarter line. This left a weakness that was exploited by the home team as a slip in midfield saw Pontyclun suddenly have a man advantage in the backs and they clinically used the overlap to cross for an injury time try that though unconverted, won them the match. Final score Pontyclun Youth 15 Pontypridd Youth 14. TRY scorers for Pontypridd: Steyn de Vos and Lewis Smith. Johannes Pretorius kicked two conversions. Match sponsors Man of the match: Lewis Smith. On Saturday 30th Pontypridd travel away to Treherbert for a league fixture, kick off 2.30pm against the division leaders, with Ponty hoping to welcome back lock forward Drew Evans after a long standing injury problem, to give them a much needed boost at the line out.
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