PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP

PONTYPRIDD .............. 22 ABERAVON .................. 11

DESPITE Pontypridd enjoying a wealth of early possession it was an eighth-minute penalty by outside half James Garland that gave the visitors an early lead.

With no real threat to either tryline during an evenly balanced first quarter, the scores were levelled as Ceri Sweeney opted to kick an easy penalty for the home side.

On the half hour mark, the Wizards manufactured the first try of the match following a wide attack when centre Rheon James broke a tackle to score out wide.

With half time approaching a break by Wizards’ livewire wing Jay Baker created havoc in the home defence, who had Dale Stuckey sin binned for an alleged deliberate knock, allowing James Garland to kick a penalty in front of the posts.

The Valley Commandos however refused to lie down and from the restart a midfield thrust by captain Dafydd Lockyer was supported by lock Chris Dicomidis who crossed at the side of the posts, the conversion from Sweeney cutting his side’s deficit at the interval to just one point – 10-11.

A scrappy and low tempo start to the second half became a distant memory on 55 minutes as Sweeney’s amazing behind-the-back pass found Daf Lockyer who shipped on to full back Gary Williams to cross in the corner.

With Aberavon failing to clear their lines with a box kick, Ponty went on the attack out wide with Cameron Lewis tackled just short. Persistence paid for the home team who were forcing turnovers and going through the phases, flanker Rhys Shellard easing through a gap to score with Ceri Sweeney converting from out wide.

Ponty were now full of confidence and playing some excellent rugby, winger Cameron Lewis the main beneficiary but unlucky to put his foot in touch as he tried to ground the ball.

On the rare occasions the Wizards ventured close to the home tryline late on, a solid defence and a steady set piece by Pontypridd repelled them during a tense finale to a competitive game. Ponty themselves went in search of a bonus-point score but running out of time and settling for a well deserved 22-11 victory.