By Zippy
October 11 2004

Review of this weekends action in the Welsh Premiership, Bridgend defeated Cardiff but Pontypridd lost narrowly to Neath. For reports read on

Pontypridd 16 Neath 20

By www.Pontypriddrfc.co.uk

Both teams showed a resolve to run the ball early on, generating a flowing game despite the frequent interference of the referee’s whistle. It was Neath who broke loose, moving the ball wide for full back Gareth Morris to cross for a try, converted by outside half James Hook. The All Blacks now maintained the upper hand, putting pressure on Ponty in all phases of play, and securing a territorial dominance.

Generating some forward drives, Ponty crept into the visitors’ half, but full back Jason Pocock just wide with a long range penalty attempt. Slowly but surely Ponty were making an impact on the game, edging further into opposition territory albeit without threatening a score. An intelligent chip and chase from centre Tom Riley sent Ponty scurrying away on a counter attack, setting up a good position in the Neath twenty-two. Spreading the ball wide, winger Richard Fussell hoisted an up and under which Tom Riley athletically gathered to notch up an opportunist score, the try converted by Pocock.

Putting on a good shunt in the scrum, Ponty once more made a concerted advance into the visitors’ twenty-two, Jason Pocock stepping up to slot over a penalty with a half hour gone. Neath in turn responded with some barging forays into the home half, the Ponty defence grafting hard to keep them at bay. Poaching possession in the loose, Ponty broke out of defence, their dogged determination rewarded with another successful penalty kicked by Jason Pocock. An injury time offensive by Neath was again blocked by the home defence, Ponty maintaining an interval lead of 13pts to 7.

The second half commenced, an evenly balanced affair and a real dogfight for possession with neither side dominant. A neat interception by winger Chris Clayton sent Ponty off on a run into the visitors’ twenty-two, but failing to capitalise on their position, only for Neath to break away on a counter attack, stopped only by a try saving tackle from Richard Fussell.

Neath continued to press strongly with a series of forward shunts, the ball then released for centre Wayne Mitchell to cross for a try wide out. Wayne O’Connor now came on in place of Rhys Long as Ponty grafted hard to secure field position. Gradually edging their way up to the visitors’ twenty-two, Ponty secured a penalty opportunity which full back Pocock duly converted. With Stuart Williams on for Gerald Cox, the home team kept hold of possession, just maintaining an edge in an evenly balanced period of play, with the game going into its final quarter.

There was sense of frustration creeping into Neath’s game, often penalised for their indiscretions as Ponty kept pressing forwards, with Ryan Harford now coming on for Geraint Liddon. Against the run of play, an intelligent chip and gather by outsid half James Hook sent Neath racing away on a counter attack, rounded off with a try for winger Richard Johnston, edging the All Blacks into a one point lead. Dangerous use of the boot by Neath prop Paul Jones saw him dispatched to the sin bin, but Jason Pocock crucially pulling wide the ensuing penalty. Neath immediately struck back with a penalty opportunity of their own, securely converted by Hook, extending their lead with little over five minutes remaining.

Playing against the clock as much as their opponents, Ponty put in plenty of effort in attack, but industrious flanker Lee Evans forced off injured, replaced by Ben Phillips. All of the home team’s efforts proved to be in vain, going down to defeat by 16pts to 20, but after a fully competitive encounter.

Pontypridd		(13)16-20(7)		Neath	FT
Tries: Riley				Tries: Johnston Morris Mitchell
Cons: Pocock				Cons: Hook
Pens: Pocock 3				Pens: Hook

Bridgend 31 Cardiff 16

From IC Wales

THE Warriors may not be gracing the Brewery Field any more but the Bridgend Welsh Premiership side showed that rugby in the region is alive and kicking with a fine victory over Cardiff in another exciting game between the two old rivals, writes Ron Chalmers.

Both sides had a refreshing attacking policy in a game well refereed by Wayne Barnes but Bridgend's better teamwork won the day.

They out-scrummaged and out-mauled Cardiff when it mattered and three of their four tries came from that superiority, the other from a cracking blindside thrust by their dangerous backs.

Lock Mike Powell led the Ravens' forwards by example and had great allies in Gareth Williams and Dean Fitzgerald, while rugby league international Nathan Strong gave a truly outstanding display in every facet of the game.

Behind the scrum, young Gareth David was a cool controller to bring the best out of Bridgend's dangerous runners and keep his pack going forward.

Cardiff had individuals who performed very well in Heino Senekal, James Goode, skipper Jonathon Edwards and James Malpas up front.

And Liam Roberts was excellent behind, eventually creating Cardiff's try for Chris Czekaj.

But by that time the Ravens had established a 28-9 lead which they were never going to relinquish.

They led 20-9 at half-time with tries by Powell, David and Williams backed up by David's kicking.

The best try of the game was scored by Grant Epton after great approach work by David, Osprey Dave Tiueti and Anthony Carter.

And although Cardiff then rallied, Bridgend's defence never allowed them a second chance.

Bridgend		(20)31-16(9)		Cardiff	FT
Tries: Williams Epton David Powell				Tries: Czekaj
Cons: David				Cons: Anderson
Pens: David 3				Pens: Anderson 3

 

League table

Welsh Premiership October 11, 2004
		P	W	D	L	PTS
1	Neath	6	6	0	0	18
2	Carmarthen	8	6	0	2	18
3	Newport	7	6	0	1	18
4	Llanelli	8	6	0	2	18
5	Swansea	8	5	0	3	15
6	Bridgend	7	5	0	2	15
7	Cross Keys	7	5	0	2	15
8	Pontypridd	8	4	0	4	12
9	Aberavon	6	4	0	2	12
10	Llandovery	8	3	0	5	9
11	Llanharan	8	2	0	6	6
12	Newbridge	7	2	0	5	6
13	Bedwas	7	2	0	5	6
14	Cardiff	7	2	0	5	6
15	Ebbw Vale	7	2	0	5	6
16	Pontypool	7	2	0	5	6
17	Caerphilly	7	0	0	7	0

Bridgend in 6th with a game in hand and Ponty in 8th, Ponty have lost 2 games in a row at home, they must be kicking themselves as they were by a cumulative total of just 5 points.