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

An incisive break from centre Tom Riley set Ponty off on the first meaningful attack of the game, the visitors starting off in creative mood. Using back rowers Strong and Evans as their battering rams, Ponty continued on the offensive, and were rewarded as outside half Dai Flanagan stroked over a penalty with five minutes gone. Some swift recycling and good support work kept Ponty in the ascendancy, driving into the home twenty-two. With the ball kept in play for long periods, Ponty remained the dominant force, but as yet unable to threaten the home try line.

Aberavon put together a big forward shunt to make advances upfield, but outside half Jamie Davies pulling wide a penalty attempt. The home team were by now far more competitive, working off a strong scrummage, and gaining a points return as Davies put over a successful penalty kick. Ponty were meanwhile struggling for any meaningful possession, and with the penalty count rising steadily against them. Aberavon showed a willingness to run at their opponents, winger Richard Carter going close to scoring in the corner. A big scrum by the home pack resulted in the awarding of a penalty try, which Jamie Davies duly converted. Ponty tried desperately to launch counter attacks from deep, utilising the pace of Nuthall and Stoddart, but too often penalised to maintain any momentum.

Living off scraps of possession, the visitors were pinned back in their own half, suffering a torrid end to the first period. Bossed about in the loose and failing to achieve a platform in the set pieces, Ponty were under the cosh. The referee’s arm continued to favour the home team, and with Ponty lock Dale McIntosh sin binned for handling on the floor. A concerted drive from the home pack culminated in a try claimed by hooker Chris Wells, and again converted by Davies, consigning Ponty to an interval deficit of 17 pts to 3.

With Leighton Davies coming on in place of Ben Phillips, Ponty just edged the early exchanges of the second half, but Dai Flanagan well short with a long range penalty attempt. The visitors were now far more vigorous in contesting loose ball, putting some width on their game, but Matthew Nuthall knocking on when freed on the overlap. The Wizards in turn were forceful on the counter offensive, kicking effectively for field position. Ponty now sent on the cavalry, Daniel Hitchings replacing Morgan Stoddart, Stuart Williams for Ian Poley and Grant Harrington for Chris Martenko.

Aberavon still laid claim to the greater share of possession, pounding relentlessly at the gain line, and finally working centre Paul Bamsey over for a try in the corner, with fifty-eight minutes gone. With Adam Powell coming on for Lee Evans, and Ian Poley returning to the fray for the injured Gerald Cox, Ponty were still intent on playing a wide game, but failing to do so without a forward platform. Yet another substitution saw scrum half Ryan Harris coming on for Gareth Jones as Ponty gamely kept plugging away in attack, centre Tom Riley bursting through in midfield but yet again denied by a knock on.

It was a dynamic break from Dafydd Lockyer which finally gave Ponty impetus over the gain line, winger Matthew Nuthall up in support to cruise in for a try, which Dai Flanagan converted. Into the final ten minutes of the game, Ponty were now chasing an unlikely win, but looking ever more dangerous with the ball in hand. A well judged cross kick from Flanagan was fielded by Dan Hitchings , who fed a scoring pass to Matthew Nuthall, with the conversion to follow from Flanagan. Incredibly, Ponty had fought their way back into contention, setting up a thrilling climax to the game. Throwing everything into attack, Ponty were stung by a snap Aberavon counter offensive, the home team claiming vital points through a Jamie Davies penalty. The contest remained highly competitive into injury time, but the result sealed in Aberavon’s favour, by a margin of 25 pts to 17.

Bedwas 22 Bridgend 29

The Western Mail

RAVENS' coach Chris Stephens said he gave his side, "The biggest half-time rollicking I've ever done," writes George Williams, after watching them stumble to a 16-9 interval deficit.

Perhaps it was a hangover from their recent cup and league defeats by Neath. Stephens' rallying call was, "Get your heads up - and get back to the basics."

The result was a better second half, Ravens edging ahead for the first time, 23-19, after 62 minutes.

Full-back Gareth David, an electrician, was Ravens' scoring spark with 19 points, landing all his five penalties and both conversions.

Bedwas, with about eight regulars on the casualty list, also hit five penalties - two for outside-half Andrew James and three from centre Phil Dolman. Dolman took over place-kicking from James, who retired at half-time with a head injury.

Simon Jones went on at full-back, with Lee Mullane moving to No 10. Mullane, called up originally as Leigh Hinton was on Dragons' call, showed a bold approach.

Bedwas backs' coach Steve Law said, "Considering all our injuries, this was a brave performance." Losing James was a blow, but Bedwas suffered another when hooker Dan Oselton was yellow-carded after 48 minutes.

While he was off, hooker Andrew Joy scored the first of Bridgend's two tries, and Dolman kicked a penalty. Straight after Oselton's return Bridgend wing Ryan Howells crossed to cap a fine run.