PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP

Bonus-point win for Ponty

PONTYPRIDD .............. 36 NEWPORT .................... 12

NEWPORT struck early after a quick tap penalty 30m out saw their flanker Rhodri Jones barge over in the corner.

The lead lasted all of four minutes as Ponty centre Bradley Coombes intercepted on the halfway line to race unopposed under the posts, with outside half Callum Hall converting the score.

Ponty further extended their lead when Callum Hall slotted an easy penalty on 13 minutes.

Another intercepted pass by the home team gifted them their second try as Dafydd Lockyer passed on to winger Alex Webber to score in the corner, with Hall expertly converting from the touchline.

The home side dominated possession for the remainder of a largely stop-start first half, play- ing some enterprising rugby and scoring again when lock Hemi Barnes charged down a clearance kick and regathered to score at the side of the posts. Hall again converted to see the Valley Commandos go in at the break 24-5 ahead.

The Black and Ambers started the second period strongly and when Ponty hooker Ashleigh James was sent to the sin bin for an infringement at the breakdown, they capitalised on having the extra man as full back Geraint O’Driscoll scored out wide with replacement Matt O’Brien converting from the touchline.

The referee’s whistle was becoming more prominent and that in turn made for a scrappy and ill-tempered period of play going into the closing stages of the match. The visitors were reduced to 14 men when Geraint O’Driscoll was sin binned for taking out replacement Cameron Lewis in the air.

The bonus try for Ponty finally came as winger Alex Webber strolled over in the corner following a lineout drive, Hall again converting from the touchline with the help of an upright.

Fellow winger Joe Davies scored the home team’s final try of the match when he supported Dane Blacker from a turnover down the blind side to slide in by the corner flag. Hall this time failed with the conversion but it mattered not as Pontypridd ran out deserved winners.