PACK HELP PONTY FINISH ON A HIGH
PONTYPRIDD ended one of their most miserable seasons on a comparative high as they notched their first win on the pitch since January 28 with a bonus-point triumph over fellow strugglers Swansea.
While the top four sides in the Indigo Premiership were playing off for home advantage in the play-offs, these two teams were battling to finish one off the bottom – just ahead of the Llanelli side that folded before the end of the campaign.
The visitors mounted the first attack of the match through James Davies, but a calamitous pass was intercepted by Niko Matawalu just eight metres out from the line, with the winger racing the length of the field for a try.
A chip and chase by Matawulu put Swansea under pressure and a poor error by Dale Ford gifted Pontypridd attacking ball. Joel Raikes thought he was in for a try, but Chris Dicomidis was penalised for obstructing the Whites’ defence.
Dicomidis took a lineout inside the opposing 22 and Jake Baker illegally brought down the maul, earning a yellow card in the process. Joseph Scrivens tried to chip ahead, but Ford dealt with the danger, allowing the visitors to clear.
James Davies found touch on the Pontypridd 22 with a penalty and a superb move involving Gareth O Rees and Baker forced the home side offside. James Davies kicked the three pointer on the stroke of half time.
Early in the second half Jordan Howells came close to collecting a Scrivens chip ahead, but the ball beat him over the dead ball line. Instead, referee Mike English brought play back for a penalty, which Scrivens converted.
With a clear supremacy up front, the home side opted for a scrum, but a better set piece by the All Whites forced play into touch. Dicomidis took the lineout though and the Pontypridd pack mauled Nathan Huish over for a try.
The home side began to run riot and, following a good run by Iestyn Griffiths, a missed tackle saw Aled Ward race 20 metres upfield, before he was tackled a metre short, although Kristian Parker was on hand to pick up and score.
A long stoppage followed with replacement Tommy Morgan attended to by medics for a prolonged period for a nasty looking injury. A close range scrum followed with the home pack dominating, allowing Ward to stroll over for a bonus point try.
The visitors earned a rare penalty at the scrum with Joe Thomas wasting no time to get his side on the front foot and Gareth O Rees profited when he took a pass in midfield to score a well taken consolation try.