Pontypridd 27 – Bridgend 17
The game got off to a scrappy start, Pontypridd winning ample possession but getting nowhere in their early endeavours. Bridgend outside half Ryan Evans was off target with a penalty attempt before the home pack shunted its way towards the opposing try line.
Pressure eventually told as Ponty set up a line-out drive which edged over the whitewash, No8 Owen Sheppeard claiming the touchdown. The home team continued to look ill at ease with themselves, scrum half Lloyd Williams yellow carded for back chatting the referee, and then conceding points as Bridgend launched a snap offensive for full back James Dixon to cross for a try with thirteen minutes gone.
The tempo of the game was subdued, slowed down by injury delays and with the set pieces often in disarray with the home pack more often penalised by the referee. Bridgend mauled upfield and maintained pressure for winger Tom O’Flaherty to cross for a try, Evans’ conversion rebounding off the post.
Centre Dafydd Lockyer and winger Owen Jenkins both spearheaded home attacks, but Ponty too often frustrated in their efforts and going into the interval of what had been a stop start contest, trailing by 5-10.
The second half commenced with a Ponty midfield pass going astray and Bridgend pouncing on the opportunity, winger O’Flaherty winning the kick and chase to ground the ball for a try which was converted by Dixon. The Ponty scrums were still wheeling and back-tracking and any attempts to attack at pace hampered by unforced handling errors.
Bridgend were able to apply some pressure but were increasingly penalised for infringing, with lock Kyle Evans dispatched to the sin bin, and Ponty outside half Lewis Williams planting the resultant penalty between the posts. The home team now made changes off the bench, and responded by showing greater confidence and continuity.
A wide attack was rounded off with a try claimed by replacement Simon Humberstone, who improved his own score with a conversion. Ponty then won line out ball and launched a midfield foray which again paid dividends as centre Dafydd Lockyer powered over for a try, again converted by Humberstone.
The home team had turned the game around, finishing off as a more dynamic force with Bridgend now the team being penalised and punished. A long range Humberstone kick at goal hit the upright, but Ponty then striking back for a crucial injury time try as scrum half Lloyd Williams took a quick tap penalty to snipe over the line, registering an unlikely bonus point victory by 27-17.
Here is Bridgend’s viewpoint of the same match…
The Ravens headed to Sardis road in search of their first points of the season, but a late Pontypridd comeback saw Bridgend leave empty-handed.
Ryan Evans pushed an early effort on goal wide after a scrappy start to the game. With nine minutes on the clock Pontypridd powered over for their first try of the game, No.8 Owen Sheppeard touching down after a strong maul from the hosts. The conversion was missed by Lewis Williams.
Twelve minutes in, Pontypridd scrum half Lloyd Williams received a yellow card for cynically stopping an attempted quick tap penalty. The Ravens kicked to touch and James Dixon was able to get Bridgend’s first point of the match as he slid over in the corner. Ryan Evans missed with the conversion attempt.
Bridgend had the edge at scrum time and were able to force a penalty. The Ravens kicked to touch and set up a driving maul, making some hard yards. Tom Morgan made a telling break and some great work saw Thomas O’Flaherty score Bridgend’s second try of the game. The conversion was missed as half time approached.
Some excellent scramble defence late on in the half from the Ravens kept Ponty at bay as Bridgend went in at the break with a five point lead.
The Ravens raced out of the blocks to start the second half, winger Thomas O’Flaherty showed his pace as he kicked ahead and chased it down to score under the sticks 30 seconds into the half. Dixon added the extras as Bridgend looked to upset the champions.
Bridgend were playing some great rugby and went searching for a fourth try, twice coming close, before knocking on 10 metres out. From the scrum the Ravens were penalised as Pontypridd made their way from 22 to 22 very effectively. The hosts kicked the penalty to touch at the halfway line and were awarded another penalty. A consecutive kick to touch saw Ponty get to within five metres of the Ravens line and one penalty to many conceded by the Ravens resulted in Kyle Evans being shown a yellow card. Pontypridd’s Lewis Williams slotted the penalty as the hosts looked to launch a comeback.
The man advantage gave Pontypridd the opportunity to find some gaps in the Ravens defence. A territorial kick to the corner from the hosts kept the pressure on Bridgend. A faulty lineout handed possession back to Pontypridd as they looked to spread the ball wide. Some great initial cover defending saw the Ravens keep Ponty out but quick recycling and an inside ball resulted in a Simon Humberstone try. The replacement fly half added a conversion to bring the score to within two points.
Three minutes later the hosts were able to reclaim the lead as a neat lineout move saw Ponty captain Dafydd Lockyer slice through the Ravens defence and score the hosts third try of the match. Humberstone added the conversion.
With both benches emptied, the final twenty minutes of the game became scrappy and disjointed. With three minutes to play, Simon Humberstone missed a penalty from right in front of the posts, hitting the upright.
With time almost up, a chip in behind the Ravens defence sent replacement fullback Tito Tebaldi scampering back to his own try line. Tebaldi threw a speculative pass that resulted in a five metre scrum for the hosts. The Ravens were penalised and a quick tap penalty from Lloyd Williams saw the scrum half dive over the line earning the hosts a bonus point, whilst snatching a losing bonus point away from Bridgend. The conversion was missed but time was up as Pontypridd ran out 27-17 winners.
Carmarthen Quins 30 – Llanelli 26
The September weather continues to please both player and supporter, the short sleeve conditions are bringing the best out of the Quins and despite the Ryder Cup, the Park was the place to be on Saturday.
As in all their matches to date, the Quins have shown a notice of intent right from the whistle. Both sets of defence were called into action early in the game, with the Quins a shade ahead on ideas.
An 8th minute penalty from Dan Jones from 40 meters was the opening score to be registered on the new Electronic Score Board.
The Llanelli side had come to play, and it was Dan Jones who put in a try saving tackle, only to see this pressure pay off when Josh Lewis levelled the scores with a penalty.
The Quins lost a line out on their own throw in and the Llanelli backs were quick to seize this chance to create an overlap for Josh Adams to cross in the corner. Lewis added the conversion from the touch line taking the visitors into double figures.
Back came the Quins and with play forced into the Llanelli 22, the ball was worked left for, find of the season, Gavin Thomas to crash through two tackles to go in under the posts, Dan Jones kept the score board busy with the conversion.
Within minutes the Visitors were ahead when Lewis put over his second penalty to be followed soon after with his third success.
The Quins were quick to respond and only a wrong decision with an overlap begging prevented a score. From this pressure the home side were able to develop an overlap for Dylan Morgan to score in the corner. Dan Jones showed his ever improving temperament with the touch line conversion.Right on half time he put over his third penalty, giving the Quins a 7 point interval lead.
Llanelli came out with all guns blazing which brought out the best in the Quins defence and another last ditch tackle by Gavin Thomas stopped a certain try for the visitors.
Enterprising play by both sides produced many attacks and counter attacks which pleased the big crowd.
Craig Evans had joined the match and when play was taken into the Llanelli 22, he showed all his talent when he moved to his right and put over an accurate kick for Gavin Thomas to run onto and score a brilliant try in the Vicarage corner. Dan Jones capped a fine afternoon with his second touchline conversion to put the Quins 30 points to 19 ahead. This should have put the final nail in the coffin, but the promising Jordan Williams was put in possession and his dazzling run saw him cross under the posts. He added the conversion himself and set a nervous final four minutes.
This is when the Quins character comes into its own and their defence sealed up any cracks and their controlled possession saw game out, and with it the league points which keeps then in second place just one point behind the leaders Pontypridd.
The Llanelli side had clearly come for the points as several of their side have worn the Scarlet Jersey this season, but reputations mean nothing when it comes to the Park.
Here’s the Llanelli verdict…
What a good advert for the Principality Premiership this Regional ‘derby’ turned out to be at Carmarthen Park.
Llanelli, playing their third away game in succession, were first out of the blocks winning and maintaining lots of early possession.
But it was the Quins who opened the scoring from the impressive Dan Jones on 9 minutes, which was cancelled out by Josh Lewis five minutes later who was also in fine form after a long-term injury.
Good continuity play created space for wing Josh Adams and he finished the move with Josh Lewis converting from near the touchline.
Quins then started to control proceedings for long periods and a good gain line break from Rhys Williams saw excellent support from wing GavinThomas to touch down under the posts which Jones converted.
Two fine penalties from Lewis and one from Jones kept the new electronic scoreboard turning but further Quins pressure, as the first half came to an end, saw them rewarded with a well worked try from former Llanelli player Iolo Evans who touched down in the right hand corner which Jones duly converted. Jones then added another penalty for a Quins 23-16 half time lead.
The second half remained evenly balanced with both defences being continually tested and the half was scoreless until 10 minutes from the end when things really sparked. Scarlets full back Jordan Williams reduced the Quins lead with a penalty then the sponsors man of the match GavinThomas scored his second try for the home team, again converted by Jones.
Jordan Williams ended the scoring with a brilliant individual try from half -way which will surely be a strong contender for the Principality Premiership try of the season, Jordan converted and the Quins held out the last couple of minutes for a deserved victory.
Bedwas 24 – Aberavon 31
A late Bedwas rally earned a losing bonus point but could not prevent Aberavon holding on for a deserved first victory of the season.
The opening stages were even as both side’s goal kickers – Richard Powell and Nic Damjanovic – exchanged penalties.
Aberavon second row Ben Davies’s try put his side ahead after he exploited a gap in the Bedwas midfield, Damjanovic adding the extras. Bedwas hit back within three minutes and good hands across the line put Matthew John in for a try, Powell converting to tie up the scores.
Damjanovic added two penalties and an unconverted try from right wing Kristian Corbisiero put Aberavon 21-10 ahead at the interval.
Shortly after half time Morgan Williams’s boot put Aberavon further ahead. It could have been worse for Bedwas as a wild pass was intercepted but the intercepting Aberavon player contrived to drop the ball when clear for a run on goal.
Bedwas clearly didn’t pick up the warning signs as a few minutes later Powell’s rash pass was picked off by Damjanovic who raced through for try he converted himself.
Bedwas made a raft of changes around the 55-58 minutes mark and were rewarded when Phill Rees was on the end of a pass out wide, replacement outside half Jack Maynard converting. Two minutes later and a great break from their own half saw Luke Crane cross for a Bedwas try, converted again by Maynard. The deficit was reduced to 7 points and the home supporters began to wonder if the comeback was on.
Aberavon then made a raft of substitutions which effectively broke up any momentum Bedwas were building. Morgan Williams attempted two very long range penalty goals which helped run the clock down as Aberavon finished the game on the front foot with Bedwas pinned on their own try line.
Here’s Aberavon’s take on the result…
Aberavon gained their first league win of the season despite seeing Bedwas come back from 10-31 to close the gap to seven points.
The Wizards led 21-10 at the interval including tries by flanker Nathan Brown and wing Kristian Corbisiero
while the Bedwas try was by wing Matthew John.
Fly half Nic Damjanovic then gained an interception try and added 13 points from three penalties and two conversions, while young full back Morgan Williams kicked a penalty from halfway.
Bedwas, for whom Richard Powell had kicked a conversion and penalty, added tries from lock Phil Rees and replacement scrum half Luke Crane. Replacement fly half Jack Maynard goaled both to set up a thrilling last 17 minutes.
No further try came though Williams twice was inches out with penalties from his own half.
Aberavon coach Jason Hyatt, said: “To the neutral it was a splendid game of rugby, but for us it showed we had good character as Bedwas showed they never quit.
“The rugby was excellent and we learned a lot from the last ten minutes especially. It put the Premiership in a good light and proved how one small mistake can be turned into tries. I was delighted with the team today.”
