PONTYPRIDD SEEK REVENGE OVER BEDWAS

Ponty take points with power play

PONTYPRIDD failed to cleanly gather the kick off and as a result Bedwas applied early pressure which was soon turned into points courtesy of a long range Steffan Jones penalty.

The visitors wasted no time in levelling the scores as they worked the ball up field and when Bedwas conceded a penalty under the posts outside half Diggy Bird easily slotted the ball between the uprights.

The home side’s set piece started to falter and when Ponty won scrum ball against the head, it was quickly worked wide to full back Lloyd Rowlands who dived under the posts for the first try of the afternoon. Outside half Diggy Bird converted the score.

After the open and fast start to the game, the rest of the half showed signs that the recent two week break was having a negative effect as both teams were guilty of inaccurate passes and were failing to build any momentum or phases of play.

Bedwas failed to finish off a counter attack from deep inside their own half and Ponty wasted two opportunities from line-outs in attacking positions and as result it was the visitors who went in at half time 3pts to 10 ahead.

Ponty now had the strong wind at their backs and took advantage when Diggy Bird kicked an early penalty to extend their lead.

With the wind in Ponty’s sails, winger Alex Webber broke up the middle of the field to find full back Lloyd Rowlands up in support to dive over for his second try of the match with Diggy Bird again converting the score.

The home side responded with their first try of the afternoon when centre Ross Wardle charged over next to the posts allowing outside half Steffan Jones an easy conversion.

From the re-start Bedwas conceded a penalty and again Diggy Bird slotted it between the posts to continue his excellent afternoon with the boot.

Ponty’s next try came after centre Aled Summerhill stepped through the Bedwas defence and when he was finally halted found fellow centre Dafydd Lockyer on his shoulder to finish off an excellent move. Diggy Bird again converted the score.

The deserved bonus point try for Ponty soon followed after a Rhys Shellard break set up a good attacking platform and when the ball was passed wide, wing Alex Webber had the easy job of finishing off another exceptional passage of play. This time it was replacement outside half Ceri Sweeney who converted the try from a wide angle.

Going into the final minutes Ponty flanker Shane Lewis-Hughes was sin binned for infringing at the breakdown and Bedwas took the opportunity to claim the final try of the match when replacement Chris Budgen barged over from close range.

The conversation was missed and no time was left for any further scores so it was Ponty who took all the points from their visit with a well earned 15pts to 37 win.