PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP WHITES GIVE SURVIVAL BID A HUGE LIFT
PONTYPRIDD remain in touch with Merthyr at the top after a thumping win over Bargoed at Sardis Road, and the manner of it pleased head coach Justin Burnell.
After a lethargic first-half display, Ponty stepped up to the plate in the second half with some scintillating rugby.
“We’re still second, but it was a fantastic win and it keeps our momentum going, which is really important,” said Burnell.
“The brand of rugby we play is fantastic.
“We try to challenge teams with ball in hand, and even though the game was not played in the best conditions, we still tried to do the same.”
It took until the 30-minute mark until the first points were kicked by home fly-half Ceri Sweeney.
The Valley Commandos were over for their first try four minutes later, finished off by full-back Dale Stuckey and converted by Sweeney.
Centre Darren Humphries replied with a try for Bargoed just before the break, converted by flyhalf Josh Prosser, before a second Sweeney penalty.
That lead was extended further four minutes after the restart with two tries by No. 8 Alun Lawrence.
Rhys Shellard bagged the bonus point for Ponty with their fourth try before Bargoed replied through scrum-half James Leadbeater.
Alex Webber went over for a converted try before two more tries in the closing moments from Huw Rees and Stuckey.
Burnell added: “I think we are 10 tries clear of every other team, which is a big statement to the division.”
– Tries: D Stuckey (2), A Lawrence (2), R Shellard, A Webber, H Rees. Cons: C Sweeney (5). Pens: C Sweeney (2).
– Tries: D Humphries, J Leadbeater. Cons: J Prosser (2). home side were awarded a penalty after J Rhys Williams was tackled without the ball. Aubrey chipped to the corner, but the move came to nothing thanks to a mistake at the line-out.
On the stroke of half-time Aubrey kicked his side into a 20-0 lead with a penalty after the visitors crept offside in midfield.
Bedwas registered their first points courtesy of a Joseph Scrivens penalty after the Whites stepped offside at the breakdown.
Jordan Rees was shown a yellow card for a professional foul, giving the Whites another attacking platform. It almost led to a fourth try for the home side, but Chris Morgans was bundled into touch a metre short of the line.
The Swansea pack were penalised for collapsing a maul and from the line-out Dale Rogers powered over for a try to give the visitors a lifeline.
But the home side were soon back on the attack through Jon Vaughan and Morgans. Ryan Griffiths was brought down just short of the line, before Morris charged over to earn a bonus point.
Swansea clinched a hard-fought victory when the forwards powered towards the line and Morgans got quick ball out wide for Thomas to score his second try.