By Webmaster
April 21 2003

A terrible Ponty performance led to their thrid defeat of the season and their first in the Welsh Premiership. For a full match report read on

Pontypridd 6 - 10 Ebbw Vale

    In a poor match, Pontypridd narrowly lost to an Ebbw Vale side who have failed to win from home this season until now. Lynn Howells didn't select his strongest fifteen and as a result he paid the price.

    In the first half, there was very little excitement which reflected in the half time score 3 - 3. It was Ebbw Vale who took the lead through a Brian Shelbourne penalty but Pontypridd had a number of penalty chances however, Brett Davey could only convert one of them in the dying minutes of the half.

    The second half wasn't much better although Ponty were more creative and did appear to be the better team. Brett Davey slotted over his second penalty and Ponty were in control of the game however it was evident that Lynn Howells would have to make some changes if his team were to get over the Ebbw Vale tryline. Eventually he did change things yet there will be question marks over his decision to substitute Nick Kelly for Richard Parks when Parks, would have fitted naturally into the number seven position which was occupied by Kingsley Jones who wasn't having the best of games.

    With ten minutes remaining, Pontypridd were 6 - 3 up when Ebbw Vale made a rare trip into the Ponty 22 and scored a try through Scott Mitchell. Brian Shelbourne added the conversion and despite immense pressure on the Ebbw Vale try line in the final minutes, Ponty were unable to get through which resulted in Ebbw Vale winning 10 - 6 and taking all three points.

    Overall, Ponty were poor and despite the referee not having the best of afternoons, Ponty can only blame themselves for this result.

Pontypridd team: Davey, Wyatt, Parker, J Lewis, E Lewis, Sweeney, Baber (C), G Jenkins, Rees, Bell, MacIntosh (Owen), Cockbain, Kelly (Parks), K Jones, G Lewis.

Pontypridd scorers: Davey (2 pens from 5 attempts)