By Webmaster
September 21 2002

Pontypridd went into this match resting a number of players and quietly confident that they were going to win. However, the Borders didn't come down to Sardis Road to be heavily defeated. For the full report on the match which ended "Pontypridd 28 - 27 Scottish Borders" read on.

Ponty scrape past Borders

Pontypridd 28 - 27 Scottish Borders

    In a tough contest against a much improved Borders side, Pontypridd managed to do enough to get the win. Ponty didn't have it all their own way though, being outscored 3 - 1 on tries. However, the match could well have been lost if it wasn't for the referee seeming to blow up immediately on 80 minutes???

    Ponty started brightly with some good passages of play but only being rewarded with 6 points from the boot of Neil Jenkins. The Borders then hit two penalties of their own leaving the scores at 6 - 6. Jenkins then added a further penalty before the Ponty crowd were stunned by a drive from the Borders forwards which led to a try being scored. The conversion was good and the  score stood at 13 - 9 to the Borders. It was Ponty however, who were to go in at th interval in front. Thanks to two more top class kicks from Neil Jenkins Ponty ended the half leading 15 - 13.

    After the break Ponty attacked once more but failed to turn pressure into serious points. Then the Borders crafted a try of their own through Gregor Townsend which was converted to give them a 20 - 18 lead. 

    This made Ponty more determined to win and when they were awarded a penalty just outside the 22,  the quick thinking from Neil Jenkins to take a tap paid off with Michael Owen eventually going over for the try. The conversion sailed through the uprights and Ponty had a 5 point lead. However, they knew that this would not be enough and so they dug in once more and got a vital penalty which was successful to give them a 28 - 20 lead. 

    Ponty seemingly had done enough to win but once more the Borders made the most of their opportunities and scored a third try in the corner which was superbly converted. Could this have spurred them on to go and get the win? No-one knows because to everyone's surprise, as soon as the flags were raised to signal the conversion going over, the referee called the game to an end and Ponty came away with a 28 - 27 win.

   The win leaves Ponty third in Pool B on 12 points although this could change after Leinster meet Cardiff tonight.

 

Pontypridd team: Davey, Wyatt, Prker, Bryant, E Lewis, N Jenkins, Baber, G Jenkins, Rees, Bell, Mcintosh, Sidoli, Owen, Parks, G Lewis. Subs used: Davies, Cockbain, O'Connor.

Pontypridd     Try: Owen    Con: Jenkins    Pens: Jenkins (6)    Drop Goal: Jenkins