Ponty pipped to the post as RGC win historic final
PONTYPRIDD ............. 11 RYGBI GOGLEDD CYMRU ........................ 15
RGC dominated the early set pieces and nearly scored as scrum half Alex Schwarz knocked on over the line.
Ponty then spent the next ten minutes camped on their opponents’ line but could not breach the defence, scrum half Wayne Evans going close followed by flanker Alun Lawrence in the opposite corner.
On the twenty minute mark Ponty outside half Ben Jones had the opportunity to break the deadlock but pulled a penalty from distance just wide.
The scoreboard finally saw some action when Jones’ opposite number Jacob Botica kicked a long range penalty to give RGC the lead.
With Ponty failing to clear the ball upfield, RGC capitalised and scored a try when centre Tiaan Loots crashed over under the posts with Botica easily converting the score.
With half time approaching, the game sprang into life.
First, Ponty’s outside half Ben Jones kicked a penalty to finally get the Valley Commandos on the scoreboard, then RGC wing Rhys Williams was sin binned for a late tackle off the ball.
Ponty immediately took advantage of the extra man as winger Lewis Williams took a quick throw then scorched down the touchline, playing a one-two with Wayne Evans to cross for a try in the corner, Ben Jones missing the conversion to see his team go in at the break trailing by 8pts to 10.
Ponty started the second half well and RGC were further reduced in numbers when prop Phil John was sin binned for infringing at the breakdown. Ben Jones kicked the penalty to see the Valley Commandos lead for the first time in the match.
Despite still being down to fourteen men, with the help of a lengthy TMO referral, RGC were awarded a try after prop Ross Davies just got the ball down from close range.
The second half was turning into a tense affair, with regular interruptions for injury and the referee’s whistle prominent. Ponty’s scrambling defence on numerous occasions held out the RGC forwards’ concerted charges.
Going into the last five minutes Ponty maintained good field position, striving hard for the try that would win the cup, a dynamic break by centre Cameron Lewis giving them further impetus.
A resolute RGC defence however held firm and when Jacob Botica kicked the ball out of play to bring an end to the match it was the North Walians who narrowly triumphed by 11pts to 15.