Ponty put the boot in
PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP PONTYPRIDD .............. 31 CROSS KEYS ............... 22
DURING a cautious start to the game, played out in the no-man’s land each side of half way, Ponty broke the deadlock courtesy of a long-range penalty kicked by debutant outside half Ben Jones.
Keys struck back emphatically as winger Matthew Powell sliced through a static home defence to score a try wide out.
The visitors were edging the contest territorially, converting pressure into points as Josh Prosser planted a penalty between the posts. The game was fast and furious, some- times feisty with a physical edge, with the home side struggling to break out of their own half.
The Ponty breakthrough came as centre Bradley Coombes charged upfield, finding scrum half Dane Blacker in support to cruise in for a try between the posts which Jones converted.
The home team were holding their own in the set pieces, and able to steal opposition lineout ball to create a platform, adding a midfield cutting edge with Lockyer and Coombes to the fore. Another long-range penalty converted by Ben Jones extended Ponty’s lead coming up to the halfhour mark.
The pattern of the game was for Ponty to apply pressure, although with their opponents looking dangerous on the counter, but two further penalties from Jones, prior to one of which Keys centre Leon Andrews was yellow carded, extending the home advantage to 19-8 at the interval.
Cross Keys began the second period in earnest, putting pressure on a hard working home defence, but Ponty striking back with a snap offensive down the flank with Ben Jones squeezing in for a try by the corner flag. The Valley Commandos maintained momentum with full back Gary Williams leading the line, Dane Blacker again up in support to arc in for a try out wide which Jones converted.
A shell shocked Cross Keys regrouped and went on to apply concerted pressure in the home 22, finally getting their reward as Phil Williams barged over for a try which replacement James Thomas converted.
The game was by now being played exclusively in the home half as the Keys finished strongly, Ponty able to relieve the siege for a while during a frenetic period of open play, but the visitors powering their way back upfield with flanker Rhys Fitzgerald going over from close range, his try converted at the death by Thomas.
That score proved to be a consolation as Pontypridd claimed a deserved victory by 31-22.