By Zippy
April 3 2006

Review of the action from Saturday in the Konica Minolta Welsh Cup. Pontypridd went into the semis after a narrow win at plucky Builth Wells.

Builth Wells 20 Pontypridd 28

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

Fired up by a large vocal support, Builth Wells got off to a good start, driving with intent into the home twenty-two. Having weathered a relative early storm, Ponty forged their way upfield, playing through many phases, and finally creating an overlap for flanker Adam Powell to cross for a try in the corner.

Undaunted, Builth set up a power surge to the home line, but denied a points return as the ball haplessly blew over during a penalty attempt. Builth were getting by far the better of exchanges in a highly physical encounter, as Chris Martenko departed with a head wound, temporarily replaced by Grant Harrington. The Bulls continued to apply a huge amount of pressure, asking serious questions of the home defence, and finally rewarded as centre Rob Lloyd struck over a successful penalty kick.

Going into the second quarter, Ponty showed up well in the scrums, but still struggling to break out of their own half. At last upping the tempo of their game, the home team shipped the ball out along the back line, making steady advances into opposition territory. Utilising their solid set piece platform, Ponty set up a neat midfield switch, winger Chris Clayton darting in for a try which Dai Flanagan converted. A snap kick and chase attack from Builth sent Ponty back tracking into their own twenty-two, once more defending against the Bulls’ fierce onslaughts. A turnover and drive from the Builth pack set up a good position, the ball fed out to a three man overlap, for full back George Jenkins to cross for a try, the conversion from Rob Lloyd narrowing the interval scoreline to 12 pts to 10.

Ponty set off on an early second half attack, a chip and chase almost gifting a try to Matthew Nuthall. Home pressure paid off however as Dai Flanagan nonchalantly drilled over a low angle drop goal. Ponty now maintained their momentum with a fluent passing move along the line, but their chances foiled by a knock on. Any thoughts of the home team dominating were soon dispelled as Builth struck back on a counter offensive down the wing and rounded off with a try for lock Wayne Morris, tying the scores at 15 pts apiece.

Chris Dicomidis now came off the bench in place of Adam Powell, joining a forceful Ponty maul which advanced a quarter of the length of the field. A good combination of forward drives and neat passes along the back line took Ponty right up to their opponents’ line, but held up by an aggressive Builth defence. Grant Harrington re-appeared as replacement for Chris Martenko as the home team threw everything into attack, laying siege to the visitors’ line. An overlap attack looked good for a score, but the ball again spilled at a crucial moment, leaving Ponty unable to seize the initiative with just twelve minutes remaining of an intense cup tie.

With Gerald Cox coming on for Stuart Williams and Ben Phillips for Leighton Davies, Ponty set up a series of concerted drives, sending prop Scott Roberts on a charge to the line for a crucial score, converted by Flanagan. The home team now played for field position, in the meantime counting down the clock, and were relieved to see outside half Flanagan hoisting over a penalty to increase their lead. The game remained competitive to the very end, Builth driving hard into the home twenty-two, as Ryan Harris came on in place of Tom Dickens. A counter offensive from Ponty once more earned a points return as Dai Flanagan converted another penalty.

Going into injury time, Ponty brought on Richard Langmead for Dai Flanagan and Ian Poley for Scott Roberts, having to retreat in the face of another concerted Builth attack. A series of forward charges from the visitors culminated in a well deserved try claimed by no 8 Ben Duggan, fittingly giving the Bulls the final word in a full blooded cup contest. Emerging as victors by 28 pts to 20 to advance into the semi final round of the tournament, Ponty certainly knew that they had been in a game.

Pontypridd

15.Jason Pocock  14.Chris Clayton  13.Tom Riley  12.Paul Matthews  11.Matthew Nuthall  10.Dai Flanagan (Richard Langmead) 9.Tom Dickens (Ryan Harris)

1.Stuart Williams (Gerald Cox) 2.Leighton Davies  (Ben Phillips) 3.Scott Roberts  (Ian Poley) 4.Dale McIntosh – cpt  5.Chris Martenko (Grant Harrington)   6.Adam Powell  (Chris Dicomidis)  7.Wayne O’Connor 8.Nathan Strong