By Zippy
September 24 2004

Match Reports from the 16th September, A mixed set of results Llanharan defeated a disappointing Bridgend but Ponty had there 1st victory at Caerphiily

Llanharan 24 Bridgend 23

Match Report - The Western Mail (16/09/04)

DRAMATIC injury-time penalty by full-back Marc Davies gave Llanharan their first victory in the Welsh Premiership - made all the sweeter by being over neighbours Bridgend.

The Dairymen had never led in the entire game and were grateful to Bridgend who wasted far too many chances.

The Ravens had much the better of the first-half and led 13-3 at half-time through a smart try by centre Chris Tossell, converted by wing Grant Epton, who also landed two penalties.

Davies kicked a penalty for Llanharan's only points of the half.

An early second-half penalty by Davies was quickly cancelled out when scrum-half James Donovan broke and fed Bridgend captain Mike Powell who sprinted 40 metres for a try converted by Epton.

Steffan Edwards scored a pushover try for Llanharan, converted by Davies, who also added a penalty after Ebdon had kicked his third for Bridgend.

A dreadful mistake by Tossell let in Nikki Allen for a Llanharan try which made it 23-21 to Bridgend, but Llanharan's desire was greater than their neighbours' allowing Davies to kick the all-important penalty.

Llanharan: Tries - S Edwards, N Allen. Con - M Davies. Pens - M Davies (4).

Bridgend: Tries - C Tossell, M Powell. Cons - G Epton (2). Pens - Epton (3).

Caerphilly 31-34 Pontypridd

Match Report - The Western Mail

PONTYPRIDD continued their remarkable record of never having lost to Caerphilly in league or cup action as they picked up their first points of the Welsh Premiership campaign.

The resourcefulness and skill of their backs had kept them in it for much of the first half at Virgina Park.

Caerphilly should have been well up during an exciting encounter but mistakes galore behind had coach Mark Ring tearing his hair out as they fell to their third straight defeat to prop up the table.

Former Wales international Ring, the great entertainer, is sponsored by Crimestoppers. And, after this second-half display, he might be tempted to see if he can use the television programme to name and shame his guilty players.

The match turned decisively Pontypridd's way in the 37th minute. Ironically, the sin-binning of Grant Harrington for foul play prompted a major change in fortunes. While the lock was off they scored 13 points without conceding any.

Pontypridd grew in confidence and proceeded to charge into a 34-17 lead, only to nearly throw it away as full-time approached, Caerphilly flanker Andy Edwards grabbing two tries to add to his earlier effort during a ferocious finish.

Caerphilly had strengthened their team with Dragons pair, Wales back-row cap Rhys Oakley and Wales sevens winger Ben Breeze.

Both sides had lost their opening two games of the campaign, Caerphilly going down 31-13 to Newport last weekend and Pontypridd being defeated 23-0 at home by Carmarthen Quins.

It was the first time since they were beaten 12-0 by Newbridge in 1988 that Ponty had failed to register a point.

They were first off the mark last night with full-back Jason Pocock landing a 12th minute penalty.

Caerphilly took the lead in the 17th minute by using their pack to power Edwards over the try-line after opting to bang a penalty into the corner. Centre Stuart Thomas converted.

However, their advantage was slashed to a point when Pocock fired over a long-range effort in the 21st minute.

Ponty didn't have an answer to Caerphilly's rolling maul, hooker Gareth McCarthy being driven over for their second try to make it 14-6.

Then came Harrington's temporary banishment. They upped the ante, breaking away for centre Tom Riley, a name for the future, to dive over.

And they capitalised on Caerphilly kicking possession away to cross for the second time in four minutes. Outside-half Richard Langmead put in a clever cross-kick and left-wing Darren Berry had the speed to easily outstrip covering forward Edwards to give them the lead a second time.

Pocock missed the conversion but nailed a 45th minute penalty to put them 19-14 up.

Harrington's return coincided with Caerphilly lock Neil Watkins being shown the yellow card for killing the ball and Pocock striking his fourth successful penalty.

Caerphilly hit back with a Thomas penalty but Riley sprinted over in the corner to send the couple hundred of Pontypridd fans present into jubilant song.

The Table (BBC Online)

Welsh Premiership September 16, 2004
		P	W	D	L	PTS
1	Carmarthen	3	3	0	0	9
2	Newport	3	3	0	0	9
3	Neath	2	2	0	0	6
4	Llanelli	3	2	0	1	6
5	Swansea	3	2	0	1	6
6	Cross Keys	2	2	0	0	6
7	Bedwas	3	1	0	2	3
8	Newbridge	2	1	0	1	3
9	Bridgend	2	1	0	1	3
10	Aberavon	2	1	0	1	3
11	Cardiff	3	1	0	2	3
12	Llanharan	3	1	0	2	3
13	Pontypridd	3	1	0	2	3
14	Llandovery	3	1	0	2	3
15	Caerphilly	3	0	0	3	0
16	Pontypool	2	0	0	2	0
17	Ebbw Vale	2	0	0	2	0

Zippy Verdict

1st off congratulations to Ponty on the win in Caerphilly, a great result that should lead to many more victories.

Bridgend need to be less than pleased, the decision to rest some key personnel in a local derby was a bad one and Llanharan can be proud of the passion they showed.

Many former Warriors attended the game and its good to see, shame bout the result.