By Zippy
October 2 2006

A review of the action in the Principality Welsh Premiership from Saturday 30th September. Ponty won the derby game against Cardiff and Bridgend bounced back to hammer Glamorgan Wanderers, for details read on.

Pontypridd 20 Cardiff 18

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

Ponty made a bright start to the game, securing clean line out possession to set their backs in motion. Pressure was applied on the visitors’ line, Ponty prop Ian Poley scrambling over for a try which was at first allowed, but then disallowed by referee James Jones. Ponty were recycling effectively, and then punching holes in the midfield gain line, but the referee’s decisions mainly going against them. A delightful break from centre Gavin Dacey kept Ponty on the front foot, outside half Neil Burnett then intercepting to race clear for a certain try, but again called back by the referee.

Ponty were by now frankly being whistled out of contention, but Cardiff failing to capitalise as their outside half Craig Evans pulled wide a kickable penalty. Still benefiting from the referee’s decisions, Cardiff launched an attack from which scrum half Darren Allinson broke through some indifferent tackling to claim a try. A huge cheer erupted from the crowd as the referee finally awarded Pontypridd a penalty, which was coolly converted by full back Jason Pocock.

With Damian Welch a towering presence in the line outs, Ponty had a platform to attack, and forging some fine support play in midfield for centre Dafydd Lockyer to cut through for a try which Pocock converted. Cardiff’s repost was immediate, pulling in the home cover defence to create an overlap try for full  back Leon Andrews, with twenty-five minutes gone. The home forwards were doggedly scrapping for possession, setting up the opportunity for outside half Neil Burnett to create a foray up the flank, but Pocock pulling wide an ensuing penalty attempt.

Neil Burnett was kicking effectively down the line, keeping Ponty up in their opponents’ half, with hooker Leighton Davies and centre Dafydd Lockyer then combining well in attack. Another burst down the flank saw Ponty lock Grant Harrington going agonisingly close to scoring, but Ponty having to settle for an interval scoreline of 10pts apiece.

Wayne Evans came out for the second half in place of Gareth Jones, Ponty advancing into opposition territory, but Cardiff then responding in kind to put pressure on the home line. Ponty then launched an opportunist foray up the wing instigated by scrum half Evans, carried on by Gareth John and rounded off with a try for Evans. Cardiff responded with a snap attack, sending winger Nick Gill over for a try close to the corner flag. The game was evenly balanced, the scores level, and all indications that a close fought finish was in the offing.

With Tu Tamarua coming on for Lee Evans, Ponty pressed hard  into the visitors’ twenty-two, only for Cardiff once more to respond on the counter. Going into the final quarter of the match there was little to separate two committed teams, with all still to play for. Ponty’s attacking line outs were now a problem, yielding possession and back-tracking into their own half. The game seemed to notch down a gear, by now a scrappy affair, dominated by the referee’s whistle, as Chris Dicomidis came on in place of Grant Harrington.

Winning top of the line ball, Ponty again generated the impetus to attack, Chris Clayton launching a foray up the wing, before Richard Emms came on for Leighton Davies. The home team by now looked far more potent in attack, creating an overlap only for Jason Pocock to knock the ball on. Going into the final ten minutes of a tense derby match, Nick Eaves was introduced in place of Ryan Harford, and then Dale McIntosh in place of Damian Welch, with Ponty holding a territorial advantage, piling into their opponents’ twenty-two. Recycling well to keep up the pressure, Ponty sent centre Dafydd Lockyer crashing through for a crucial try. With skipper Rhys Shellard forced off injured, Ponty brought on Dylan Jones to an unfamiliar flanker’s role, but conceding points as Cardiff full back Leon Andrews slotted over a penalty.

Ponty, defending a slender two point lead, set up a series of short forward charges to keep play up in the visitors’ twenty-two, and then showing sheer aggression in the tackle area as Cardiff tried hard to claw their way back into contention. There were bodies falling all over the place, an indication of the sheer physical commitment by the players involved to a hard fought encounter. Ponty however were finishing the stronger, and as the final whistle blew, were fully deserving of their victory by 20 pts to 18.

Pontypridd

15.Jason Pocock  14.Chris Clayton  13.Gavin Dacey  12.Dafydd Lockyer  11.Gareth John  10.Neil Burnett  9.Gareth Jones (Wayne Evans)

1.Ian Poley  2.Leighton Davies (Richard Emms) 3.Ryan Harford (Nick Eaves) 4.Damian Welch  (Dale McIntosh) 5.Grant Harrington (Chris Dicomidis)  6.Lee Evans (Tu Tamarua) 7.Rhys Shellard – cpt  (Dylan Jones) 8.Adam Powell

Pontypridd	20 - 18 (10 - 10)	Cardiff
Tries: D Lockyear 2, W Evans		Tries: D Allinson, L Andrews, N Gill
Pens: J Pocock		Pens: L Andrews
Cons: J Pocock

Bridgend 37 Glamorgan Wanderers 12

From the Western Mail

GARETH DAVID'S 17 points in his first match back from New Zealand lifted the Ravens to victory after successive defeats at Cardiff and Newport, writes George Williams.

The smooth-working fly-half, who spent six months with North Otago, converted all Bridgend's four tries and landed three of his four penalties.

Ravens, with second-half wind advantage, rubbed out a 12-10 interval deficit with the same crisp support play that Wanderers produced in the first period.

Asked what he had said to Ravens at half-time to produce the difference, coach Chris Stephens smiled, "That stays behind closed doors.

"We came good after two successive league defeats, but credit to Wanderers who might have been 10points ahead by half-time."

But there was no hiding their delight after Ravens' highest league score this season.

Wanderers' wing Lenny Woodard shouted as he charged Mark David's first conversion that went wide.

The referee ordered a re-take and David made no mistake at the second time of asking.

Lock Mike Powell, after an early yellow card for a high tackle, and No 8 Andrew Williams, set a mobile standard up front for Bridgend who scored four tries through Williams, Nick Griffiths, Adam Whitney and Will Kershaw-Naylor.

A five-man move brought Wanderers their first try by flanker Craig Morris with Gareth Knight adding a second.

Off the pitch, Ravens' chairman Derrick Kings said, "I understand a winding-up order against Bridgend RFC, sought by the Inland Revenue, was due to be heard on October 4, but has now been postponed.

"I emphasise the order has nothing to do with Bridgend Ravens Ltd, formed in August 2005, and who in fact, made a small profit last season."

Bridgend	37 - 12 (37 - 12)	Glamorgan Wanderers
Tries: A Williams, N Griffiths, A Whitney, W Kershaw-Naylor		Tries: C Morris, G Knight.
Pens: G David 3
Cons: G David 4		Cons: L Ford.

Welsh Premiership table

30 September 2006   Team P W D L F A PTS 1 Aberavon 5 4 0 1 112 101 12 2 Newport 5 4 0 1 121 64 12 3 Neath 5 3 1 1 176 114 10 4 Pontypridd 5 3 0 2 123 135 9 5 Llandovery 5 3 0 2 112 106 9 6 Ebbw Vale 5 2 1 2 84 90 7 7 Cardiff 5 2 0 3 129 131 6 8 Glamorgan Wanderers 5 2 0 3 124 150 6 9 Swansea 5 2 0 3 128 174 6 10 Bridgend 5 2 0 3 111 94 6 11 Cross Keys 5 2 0 3 102 110 6 12 Maesteg 5 2 0 3 118 111 6 13 Bedwas 5 2 0 3 87 112 6 14 Llanelli 5 1 0 4 87 122 3