Ponty lacking fizz as Bargoed taste victory

FOSTER’S CHALLENGE CUP

taining if riddled with errors, but remaining scoreless.

The visitors were finally rewarded for their dominance following a lineout drive as back rower Lee Beach powered over for a try which full back Calum Jones converted from a wide angle.

Ponty finally made headway into their opponents’ 22 with winger Joe Davies initiating a dynamic break, but their efforts were thwarted as the referee’s decisions went mostly against them.

Persistence paid off following a wide counter attack as centre Jarrad Rees crossed for a try which Callum Hall converted.

Still getting short shrift from the referee, Ponty had prop Dan Matthews dispatched to the sin bin, going in at the interval level 7-7.

The visitors applied the early second-half pressure, going close in the corner, but flanker Lee Beach was then yellow carded for a high tackle.

The game by now was low key, interspersed by only occasional flashes of inspiration, mostly from an attack-minded Bargoed side.

Continuing to press, Bargoed followed up a chip and chase with a series of drives, lock Lewis Weyman barging over for a try which Jones converted.

The game was creeping into its final quarter, its momentum further impeded by a raft of substitutions made by both sides.

An Alex Webber break gave Ponty some much needed impetus, but their efforts coming to nothing with costly handling errors committed.

The home team continued to advance, impressive full back Joe Williams rounding off with a try which Hall converted to level the scores.

Bargoed responded with a drive to the home line, settling for a penalty kicked by full back Jones.

Ponty were now down to 14 with replacement Joel Raikes forced off injured, but threw everything into a last-ditch attempt to salvage a result. Their efforts came to nothing, going down to a 14-17 defeat.