WIZARDS’ MAGIC IS TOO MUCH FOR PONTY
ABERAVON .................. 35 PONTYPRIDD .............. 20
PONTYPRIDD failed to cleanly gather the kick-off and Aberavon did not waste the opportunity as the ball was worked wide to wing Stef Andrews who raced round under the posts, with outside half James Garland converting the score.
After a lengthy stoppage due to an injury to Aberavon full back Joe Gage, the visitors hit back during their first visit to the home 22 when winger Dale Stuckey broke several tackles to dab down a fine individual try which outside half Ben Jones converted.
As with the Wizards first try, Ponty again failed to gather the re-start and replacement Matthew Jenkins scored out wide with Garland again converting the score. The visitors then narrowed the deficit courtesy of a Ben Jones penalty.
The match was becoming scrappy with stoppages for injuries and errors from both teams before livewire home winger Jay Baker stepped his way through for a try, James Garland continuing his excellent form with the boot to kick the conversion. It was Ponty’s turn to strike back immediately as the ball was worked wide to Dale Stuckey who chipped and re-gathered to score out wide.
Deep into first half stoppage time and with the home side laying siege to their opponents’ line, Ponty No 8 Hemi Barnes was sin-binned for infringing at the breakdown. Garland uncharacteristically missed the penalty to send the teams in at the interval with Aberavon holding a 21-15 advantage.
A scrappy start to the second half was compounded for the visitors when centre Garyn Smith was sin-binned for another offence at the breakdown. With the Valley Commandos again down to 14 men, Jay Baker crossed for his second and Aberavon’s bonus-point try after he supported a break by fellow wing Stef Andrews. James Garland again added the easy conversion.
Ponty in turn pressed for try of their own but Bradley Coombes failing to gather a chip to the corner.
As with the first half, the referee’s whistle and injury stoppages meant that neither side could build any momentum or patterns of play. Ponty finally got the try their efforts deserved when full back Gary Williams barged over out wide, but Ben Jones missing the crucial conversion.
The home team finished strongly and in the last phase of play winger Jay Baker completed his hat-trick of tries with Garland again converting to see the Wizards claim a deserved victory by 35-20.