By Zippy
September 18 2006

Review of the action in the Principality Welsh Premiership from Saturday 9th September. Bridgend defeated Cross Keys but Ponty took a battering at Neath. For details read on.

Bridgend 35 Cross Keys 13

The Western Mail

A Nicky Griffiths try double sparked a much improved Ravens performance as the struggling Gwent men were sunk by a five try salvo.

It was a better outcome for Ravens' fans after the frustration of an opening day defeat at the hands of Ebbw Vale.

'It was much better from us, although there was not much wrong with what we did in our first game,' said Ravens' coach Chris Stephens.

'The difference was a better attitude and more ball from a dominant display by our forwards.'

Young Osprey Griffiths was partnered by backs coach Paul Williams, brought in to bring composure to Bridgend's attacking game and the pair duly conspired to unlock the Keys' defence.

The Ravens were 14 points up at the end of the opening quarter, live-wire Griffiths plunging over for converted touch downs following good approach play by back-row duo Andrew Williams and skipper Adam Whitney.

Second-half tries for Darren Simpson, Richard Radford and Mike Powell, all converted by UWIC student Roger Davies, completed a good afternoon's work from the Brewery Field men.

'We are in no way the finished article, but we're getting there,' concluded Stephens.

Bridgend: R Davies; S Davies, D Simpson, C Tossell, R Radford; P Williams, N Griffiths; C Voisey, A Joy, G Long, P Clapham, M Powell, M Tiball, A Williams, A Whitney (capt).

Cross Keys: J Williams; G Williams, J Hill, D Dark, J Norris; N Hopkins, O Jones; J Price, R Miller, D Evans, G Wilson, W Thomas (capt), B Watkins, R Williams, T Lampard.

Bridgend	35 - 13 (14 - 0)	Cross Keys
Tries: N Griffiths 2, M Powell., D Simpson, R Radford		Tries: G Williams
		Pens: G Williams 2
Cons: R Davies 5		Cons: G Williams

Neath 57 Pontypridd 17

By www.PontypriddRFC.co.uk - Rygbi Pontypridd - Official Website / Y Wefan Swyddogol - The Valleys' Premier Team.

Pontypridd made a lively start to the game, a neat break from outside half Dylan Jones creating space to attack, but without the penetration to score. As Neath responded with a concerted period of pressure, instigated by a powerful driving maul, Ponty worked hard in defence, but conceding a scrambled try claimed by home prop Cai Griffiths. After a long range penalty attempt from Dylan Jones fell just short, Ponty full back Kristian Baller instigated an attack at pace, the visitors trying hard to impose themselves on the game.

Although holding a territorial advantage, Ponty were struggling to set up a line out platform, and posing no real threat. A key moment then occurred as Ponty no 8 Nathan Strong was red carded for a short arm tackle, and Neath seizing on the opportunity to forge upfield, a powerful run from winger Kevin James breaking through a number of tackles for a try. Ponty were now very much on the back foot, under pressure in the scrums and just holding out on their own twenty-two. Tempers were simmering away in a highly physical encounter, and with Ponty making advances into the home half, as the referee’s decisions went mainly their way. Pressure finally told as Ponty outside half Dylan Jones competently stroked over a penalty from twenty-four metres out.

With Lee Pearce coming on for the injured Leighton Davies, Ponty set off on another attack, instigated by Baller, only for Neath to break away on a counter offensive to challenge the visitors’ cover defence. Again losing their own line out ball, Ponty conceded territory, and were pinned back deep in their own twenty-two, soaking up a good deal of pressure. As Chris Dicomidis came on for Lee Evans, Neath continued to press, a line out and drive sending prop Nicky Downes over for a try, converted from a wide angle by centre Aled Bevan.

As Ponty tried gamely to launch another attack, Neath intercepted to send Aled Bevan away on a long range cruise to the line, the centre converting his own try to bring up an interval scoreline of Neath 24 – Pontypridd 3.

Having seen outside half Jones just fail with another penalty attempt, Ponty conceded turnover ball, giving Neath the impetus to storm onwards to the visitors’ twenty-two. Already under pressure, Ponty continued to make mistakes, the home team taking full advantage by moving the ball along the back line for full back Gareth King to score, the try converted by Aled Bevan. With Ryan Harries now on for Tom Dickens, Ponty responded with some well worked phases of attack , mainly through a series of short forward drives. A faltering line out still impeded Ponty’s progress, but now at last stoking up the fire in their bellies to contest the game. Another spate of forward drives took Ponty over the home line, the try claimed by prop Rhys James and converted by Kristian Baller.

Neath responded by launching a fluent attack, the ball shipped out for winger Steve Thomas to claim a corner-flag try, well converted by Aled Bevan. A series of substitutions saw Sam Hobbs coming on for Rhys James and Paul Matthews for Gavin Dacey, followed by Darren Jones in place of Dale McIntosh. Despite the scoreline, Ponty were still competitive, spending time in the home half. Neath however again took up the initiative, another powerful forward drive culminating in a try for no 8 Hywel Jenkins, an excellent wide angle conversion to follow from Aled Bevan.

As Nick Eaves came on for Stuart Williams, Ponty continued on the back foot, defending against wave after wave of All Black attacks, and conceding points to another try scored by flanker Chris Davies, taking Neath over the half century mark. Shunted back mercilessly in the scrums, Ponty were chasing a game already long lost, but chase they did, and set up a position for centre Dafydd Lockyer to burst through for a try, converted by Baller.

The home team were however not yet finished, a power surge from their pack sending Ponty hurtling back to their own line, out-muscled in set piece and loose. Typical of a dismal afternoon for Ponty, as they attempted to spread the ball wide, Neath seized possession and sent Gareth James over for a simple try, the conversion from in front of the posts by Aled Bevan racking up a comprehensive victory for the All Blacks by 57 pts to 17.

Neath	57 - 17 (24 - 3)	Pontypridd
Tries: C Griffiths, K James, N Downes, A Bevan, G King, S Thomas, H Jenkins, C Davies, G James		Tries: R James, D Lockyear
		Pens: D Jones
Cons: A Bevan 6		Cons: K Baller 2

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
1	Swansea	2	2	0	0	69	59	6
2	Aberavon	2	2	0	0	51	29	6
3	Neath	2	1	0	1	87	50	3
4	Cardiff	2	1	0	1	66	60	3
5	Glamorgan Wanderers	2	1	0	1	62	63	3
6	Llanelli	2	1	0	1	41	52	3
7	Bridgend	2	1	0	1	42	29	3
8	Llandovery	2	1	0	1	46	45	3
9	Maesteg	2	1	0	1	45	32	3
10	Ebbw Vale	2	1	0	1	23	19	3
11	Bedwas	2	1	0	1	33	32	3
12	Pontypridd	2	0	0	2	30	90	0
13	Newport	1	0	0	1	16	19	0
14	Cross Keys	2	0	0	2	16	53	0