Pontypridd 32-21 Bargoed – Match Report

Bargoed made their second trip to the House of Pain within a week following their narrow cup semi final loss to Merthyr the previous Saturday and again had to depart empty-handed following a 32pts to 21 league defeat against Pontypridd.

The visitors pressed into the home twenty-two early on, following up with an attacking five metre scrum, but rebuffed by a solid Ponty defence who won a penalty at the breakdown to clear. Ponty then launched a dynamic counter instigated by a neat chip kick from Logan Jones and playing a penalty advantage, advanced further from a line-out drive, working through the phases to put hooker Louis Tovey over from close range, his try converted from a wide angle by Rhodri Smith.  Back rower Joe Miles then seized the initiative by picking up and charging forwards, providing a scoring pass to winger Joe Davies with Smith once more adding the extras. The home team were aggressive in defence, battling for turnovers to keep on the front foot to the end of the first quarter.

It was Bargoed next up on the attack, and duly rewarded as full back Dylan Williams sliced through in midfield to claim a try which Josh Prosser converted. Ponty were kicking effectively for territory and then saw a big driving maul gain ground but a scoring opportunity thwarted by a forward pass, reflecting a scrappy period of play. The home team persevered in attempting to inject urgency into their play and finally achieved a breakthrough as Joe Davies spearheaded a midfield foray with centre Tom Morgan up in support to score, the try converted by Smith from in front of the posts. Bargoed however responded with a late period of pressure, full back Williams barging over for his second touchdown, Prosser’s conversion registering an interval scoreline of 21pts to 14.

HALF TIME: Pontypridd 21-14 Bargoed

The second period resumed, evenly balanced with Bargoed continuing to cautiously advance only for a stern Ponty defence to hold out, stealing line-out ball to clear. There were periods of attack, turnovers and counter attacks before Ponty put themselves under unwanted pressure from a charged down clearance. The visitors were enjoying a greater share of possession to edge the contest and turned pressure into points as winger Ashley Norton burst through a couple of tackles to score in the corner, with Prosser converting to level the scores. Bargoed went close again following an opportunist kick and rush foray but the game by now settling into a stalemate, a stop start affair due to injury delays, errors and indiscretions. Given the opportunity, Ponty elected to put points on the board as Rhodri Smith kicked two mid-distance penalties in quick succession.

The referee’s whistle was a prominent feature with Bargoed serially penalised but Ponty in turn unable to seize their opportunities with errors committed. Going into its final ten minutes the game was struggling to ignite before Bargoed took a quick tap penalty to advance only for Ponty to wrestle a turnover and gain a penalty award to relieve the pressure. The visitors continued to advance, looking for a winning score but Ponty holding out grimly in defence, pinned right back on their own try-line. There was a dramatic climax in store as Ponty worked their way upfield during a fast and loose phase of play, then launched a last gasp wide attack for centre Stuart Floyd-Ellis to cross in the corner to secure an unlikely bonus point, nailing a 32pts to 21 victory from a hard fought contest.

FULL TIME: Pontypridd 32-21 Bargoed

PONTYPRIDD:

15.Rhodri Smith. 14.Joe Davies. 13.Stuart Floyd-Ellis. 12.Tom Morgan. 11.George Thorrington (Iwan Griffith). 10.Logan Jones. 9.Joel Raikes.

1.Ben Drew (Dan Cotterell). 2.Louis Tovey (Aneurin James). 3.Kian Mattravers (Finian Murray). 4.Lloyd Riley (Connah Hughes). 5.Joe Miles (Jordan Coxley). 6.Cai James. 7.Cally James (c). 8.Iestyn Harris (Mitch Barnard).

Subs: 16.Connah Hughes. 17.Dan Cotterell. 18.Finian Murray. 19.Mitch Barnard. 20.Jordan Coxley. 21.Aneurin James. 22.Lloyd Dennett. 23.Iwan Griffith.

Tries: Louis Tovey (11); Joe Davies (14); Tom Morgan (35); Stuart Floyd-Ellis (79)

Cons: Rhodri Smith (11, 14, 36)

Pens: Rhodri Smith (57, 59)                                                                                                                                            

BARGOED:

15.Dylan Williams (Matthew Flanagan). 14.Ashley Norton. 13.Logan Yendle. 12.Jordan Howells. 11.Dai Evans (Rhys Thomas). 10.Josh Prosser (c). 9.James Leadbeater.

1.Kieran Brown (Keagan Bale). 2.Morgan Edwards. 3.Codi Purnell (Josh Parry). 4.Geraint Edmunds (James Locke). 5.Morgan Thomas (Will Gregory). 6.Lewis Johnson. 7.Owain Cooper. 8.Lewis Robley.

Subs: 16.Louis Jones. 17.Keagan Bale. 18.Josh Parry. 19.James Locke. 20.Will Gregory. 21.Keaton Davies. 22.Matthew Flanagan. 23.Rhys Thomas.

Tries: Dylan Williams (24, 39); Ashley Norton (48)

Cons:  Josh Prosser (24, 40, 49)                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Referee:   Amber Stamp-Dunstan              AR3:  Peter Mortimer

Golden Bob Man of the Match: Iestyn Harris

Rhondda Motor Company Man of the Match: Tommy Morgan

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