MERTHYR HAVE THE EDGE OVER PONTY

FOSTER’S CHALLENGE CUP PONTYPRIDD .............. 26 MERTHYR .................... 36

PONTYPRIDD enjoyed plenty of possession in the early stages which paid off after the forwards set up an attacking platform, the ball then worked wide for winger Joe Davies to cross in the corner.

It didn’t take long for the visitors to hit back and take the lead when scrum half Adam Hoskins gathered a kick and chase to pounce over the line, with centre Matthew Jarvis converting the score.

The home side conceded a penalty in their own 22 which gave the visitors an opportunity to apply pressure, which paid off when wing Alex Howman wrestled his way over at the side of the posts with Jarvis again converting.

Ponty were battling for turnovers to pose a threat in attack but Merthyr’s Jarvis then kicking a long range penalty to extend his side’s advantage. The scoreboard kept ticking over in the visitors’ favour as outside half Dean Gunter broke away to score out wide, the dependable Jarvis converting from the touchline to register an interval scoreline of 5-24.

The Valley Commandos started the second half on the attack and when the Ironmen conceded back-to-back penalties it enabled Ponty to kick to the corner, setting up a lineout drive from which captain for the night Jake Thomas powered over for a try which Callum Hall converted.

The Ponty comeback was however thwarted as Merthyr wing Alex Howman scored his second try of the night from the restart. With the Ironmen upping the pressure and breaking at ease, home winger Lewis Williams was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on at a ruck.

The visitors wasted no time in taking advantage of the extra man as Dean Gunter cut through for his second try with Jarvis again converting.

On the hour Merthyr lock Ruan Ludick was sin-binned as a result of his side’s tendency to infringe at the breakdown. Ponty now looked to narrow their deficit and from another lineout drive replacement prop Mitch Auger barged over for a try which Callum Hall converted.

The home team struck in quick succession as Declan Williams supported a Ceri Sweeney interception to touch down under the posts with Hall again converting to set up a competitive finale to the game.

Despite Ponty’s best efforts there was no further breakthrough with Merthyr claiming a 26-36 victory.