Cardiff’s disciplinary record has cost them dearly again at Sardis Road.
Forwards Rob Appleyard and Peter Rogers both spent time in the sin-bin, and veteran Pontypridd goal-kicker Neil Jenkins took full advantage with four penalty goals to give the Valley Commandoes their second win over Cardiff at Sardis Road this season.
The match was played in miserable conditions, with constant rain falling on an already flooded Sardis Road ground.
Jenkins opened the scoring a simple shot at goal, before Appleyard turned attack into defence when he punched opposite number Richard Parks at a scrum 5 metres from the Pontypridd line. To make matters worse, Appleyard complained to referee Nigel Owens about the call at the next lineout and was shown a yellow card for his troubles.
The last time these two sides played, props Rogers (yellow) and Ken Fourie (red) got disciplinary cards and Appleyard’s outburst simply enhanced Cardiff’s reputation as the least-disciplined side in Wales.
On the positive side, Cardiff players who get yellow-carded receive a £50 fine. At the rate they’re going, they could pay off the WRU’s debt in one season.
Two more infringements allowed Jenkins to treble the score to 9-0 before Cardiff’s Canadian lock Jonh Tait brought the visitors back into the match. He broke clear from a rolling maul inside his own half and ran 45 metres before being brought down. The ball was sent wide to centre Matt Allen, who fed fullback Rhys Williams. The speedster was ankle-tapped short, but slid over the line to score. Harris’ conversion brought his side back to 7-9.
Pontypridd’s dominance up front began to take its toll on the visiting pack in the second half and Fourie was penalised to give Jenkins his fourth penalty goal of the evening.
And then Rogers, already being closely watched after constant infringing, pushed a Pontypridd player out of a maul in front of referee Owens, and he was shown a yellow card.
Williams’ decision to take a shot at goal instead of going for a try seven minutes from time narrowed the score to 10-12 but proved costly. Cardiff never got back into a scoring position, and Pontypridd held firm to take the three League points.
Pontypridd: Pens – N Jenkins 4.
Cardiff: Try – R Williams; Pen – I Harris; Con – I Harris. Halftime: Pontypridd 9-7.
Teams:
Pontypridd: B Davey; G Wyatt, S Parker, J Bryant, E Lewis; N Jenkins, P John; G Jenkins, M Davies (capt), D Bell, B Cockbain, R Sidoli, R Parks, W O’Conner, M Owen.
Cardiff: R Williams; A Sullivan, J Robinson, M Allen, C Morgan; I Harris, R Smith; P Rogers, L Collins, K Fourie, H Senekal, J Tait, R Appleyard (T Payne 69), M Williams (capt). D Baugh (E Lewis 55).
Referee: N Owens (Pontyberem)
