By Webmaster
August 17 2002

Today saw Ponty take on English side Coventry at Sardis Road. For all the news from the match including team, scorers, match review and match pics then read on.

Pontypridd: 45 (31)

Coventry: 5 (0)

On a sunny afternoon in Sardis Road, Ponty run out easy winners in a stop start match. Pleasing news for Ponty fans was that Duncan Bell started the match, possibly ending speculation about a move to Bath.

Ponty began brightly with Gareth Wyatt crossing for the first try after only 5 minutes with tries following for Geraint Lewis, John Bryant, another one for Wyatt and Paul John. After cruising into a strong lead Ponty began to experiment bringing on a host of new faces and they ended the half 31 points in front.

After the break Coventry came to life but found it hard to turn pressure into points. As Coventry tired Ponty took full advantage with second half tries from Gethin Jenkins and John Bryant before Coventry finally got onto the scoresheet near the end.

Overall it was a pleasing performance from Pontys point of view with the forwards dominating in the scrums and line outs for much of the game. Also impressive were John Bryant and Matthew Nuthall and Phil Edwards showed some promising play when he came on late in the second half. However, the thing that pleased the crowd the most was seeing Duncan Bell take to the field for Ponty.

The starting 15 for Ponty were:

Match pictures can be found below.

Cockbain challenging from the restart

John putting in at the scrum

 

Ponty boys hitting Nigel Simpson

Coventry try to make use of the ball