Fixture

Match Report - Sunday 6 January 2019 - Pontypridd v Caerphilly @ Cilfynydd 

It was an overcast Winter morning, and a large well drilled Pontypridd pack that welcomed the visitors to Cilfynydd this morning. Ponty were keen to do the double over the visitors having secured a convincing 12-29 win at Caerphilly in November.

It was clear from the opening exchanges however, that Caerphilly were ready for the big pack this time and a great turnover tackle by Ioan hill saw the ball moved to Scott Pritchard who made good ground before a deft chip forward.

The first 20 or so minutes saw a good “ebb and flow” to the encounter, with two equally matched teams - Danny Richards seems to be in the clear but he is caught just short of the line - then some outstanding tackles by Louis Bellamy at centre stems the tide.

From the resultant penalty, Ioan Hill thinks on his feet and with the Ponty backs turned he takes a quick tap and makes good ground before a wonderful offload to the fast-moving Eli Weekes who runs in from half way to score the first try of the match 5-0. 

The score seems to galvanise the Ponty forward pack however and after some direct running they eventually win a penalty on the 22. From the resultant line out, they drive over to bring the scores level at 5-5, despite some great tackling.

The Ponty pack were now well and truly on the front foot. The home team win a turnover but their kick ahead is taken neatly by full back Ellis Hughes who side steps the winger before a kick ahead of his own, forcing back Ponty for a drop out 22.

An outstanding tackle by Louis Bellamy (again on their big centre !) calls a halt in play this time and best wishes go to Louis for a speedy recovery 💪🏉.

5-5 half time 

The second half starts with the Ponty pack winning a turnover from the kick off. The visitors clear, but a strong run back by Ponty results in a penalty to the home team 5 yards out. Ponty create a strong rolling maul and drive over for a 12-5 lead. 

Logan Turner, imperious at the line out, then wins a great turnover. Lewis Adams moves the ball smartly to Scott Pritchard, Sam Davies and Abhishek in close support who seems clear but is stopped on the 22 - Ponty clear their line from the penalty.

The home team had all the momentum at this point with Caer having difficulty getting any sort of possession. Then a steal at the line out sees their strong number 16 run the full length of the pitch to score for a 17-5 lead and Ponty appeared unstoppable.

The forward dominance continues and the home team drive over again from a Scrum 5 for a 22-5 lead.

The visitors were well and truly “on the ropes” at this point but then followed a great response. First it was Owen Wilding taking the ball up and setting the ball back precisely for Lewis Adams. He quickly released the ball to the galloping Abhishek who drew in further defenders before passing onto Owen Hughes who holds the ball, draws the man and makes a superbly timed pass to Tylor “turnaround” Williams who shows a great turn of pace to score under the posts and bring the score to 22-12 with 10 minutes to play !

The try seems to give the Caer XV belief and eventually they make their way back down to the Ponty 22. From a quick tap penalty Ellis Hughes sucks in the defence, before Abhishek takes the ball up again, followed by Scott Pritchard, before eventually Will Haley makes a great burst through to score and bring the game to within one score - 22-17 

Ponty then kick off and a great take from Josh Mormont under immense pressure secures possession and is secured by Ioan Hill at the ruck. Lewis Adams passes smartly from the base to Will Haley, who puts Scott Pritchard into space. Scott then makes a great pass to none other than Tylor Williams who rounds the defence to score under the posts - Will Haley converts for a 22-24 lead.

Great tackling then by whole team win a knock on and the visitors clear their lines to win the game.

An outstanding game where Caer really believed in themselves in the last 15 minutes to turnaround what seemed like a lost game against a physical Ponty pack. Well done to both teams for a great game of rugby and to Caerphilly for displaying a real “can do” approach to keep going and secure a hard-fought win in the final minutes. All best wishes to Louis Bellamy for a speedy recovery #togetherasone

Written By – Warren Lewis