Prem Review 16th March

The game got underway in difficult conditions of a swirling wind and persistent light rain, and as such was blighted by errors and dominated by kicks between the two teams. It took a full nine minutes before Swansea made the first significant advances into the visitors’ twenty-two, but still with little impact to their play. A low key affair came to life as Ponty launched a speculative kick and chase upfield, flanker Rhys Shellard just missing out on a touchdown. Ponty were now beginning to look more dynamic in attack, and were rewarded as outside half Richard Langmead launched a penalty between the posts from twenty-four metres out.

With the wind behind them, Ponty were booting their way upfield, but finding it difficult to keep the ball in hand, the game degenerating into an undignified scramble for possession in the loose. The All Whites launched a phase of attack, the most fluent of the evening so far, and reaped their reward as outside half Luke Richards put over a successful penalty kick. Ponty’s response was immediate, a long range penalty from Langmead restoring their lead, with twenty-nine minutes gone. The home team were striving to be creative, but over-complicating their moves, and getting short change from a hard working Ponty defence. Pressure eventually told as Luke Richards sat back to slot over a well taken drop goal for Swansea. Both teams now put together some phases of running play, attempting to up the tempo of the game, but a lacklustre first forty minutes ending with the scores level, 6 pts apiece.

Swansea made a strong start to the second half with a series of charges at the heart of the Ponty defence. The home team were playing the conditions well, keeping to tight forward drives and wind assisted field kicks. As Chris Dicomidis came on in place of Chris Martenko, with forty-seven minutes gone, Swansea kept up a concerted period of pressure, camped on the visitors’ line, but held out by the resilient Ponty defence. A counter offensive up the flank led by Dan Godfrey found Lee Evans in support, and flanker Rhys Shellard finishing off with a turbo charged race to the line to claim a fine opportunist try, which was converted by Langmead, hoisting Ponty into a 9 pts to 13 lead.

The game was now providing better entertainment value, as Greg Evans came on for James Thomas, soon followed by Craig Hughes in place of Lee Evans. Ponty continued to soak up the home team’s persistent pressure, and made use of their bench to provide fresh impetus, as Dai Flanagan came on in place of Richard Langmead. With the visitors still in defensive mode, their flanker Rhys Shellard was sin binned for impeding the flow of possession, the ensuing penalty converted by home outside half Luke Richards.

Now into the final quarter of the game, Ponty fought their way back into contention with a series of drives, with centre Dafydd Lockyear carrying the ball up well in midfield. Line out possession was however proving to be a lottery for the visitors, struggling to set up a platform from which to advance despite their workmanlike efforts. With Stuart Williams on in place of Gerald Cox, Ponty maintained their momentum with a breakout led by a strong run from Greg Evans, and setting up a penalty opportunity which Dai Flanagan duly converted. Next off the bench for Ponty was Geraint Liddon in place of Ryan Harford, as Ponty were once more forced on to the back foot, in the face of a late surge by the home team. Swansea remained camped in their opponents’ twenty-two until a break away at pace by winger Richard Fussell relieved the siege. Ponty had done enough to hold out for a well earned victory by 12 pts to 16, albeit in a contest that rarely rose to any great heights of skill or entertainment.

Pontypridd:

15.Morgan Stoddart. 14.James Thomas (Greg Evans). 13.Lloyd Warner. 12.Dafydd Lockyear. 11.Richard Fussell. 10.Richard Langmead (Dai Flanagan). 9.Gareth Jones.

1.Gerald Cox (Stuart Williams). 2.Ben Phillips. 3.Ryan Harford (Geraint Liddon). 4.Dale McIntosh – cpt. 5.Chris Martenko (Chris Dicomidis). 6.Lee Evans (Craig Hughes). 7.Rhys Shellard. 8.Dan Godfrey.

Swansea		(6)12-16(6)		Pontypridd	FT
				Tries: Shellard
				Cons: Langmead
Pens: Richards 3				Pens: Langmead 2 Flanagan
Drops: Bradley

Postponed

THERE are fresh doubts over Newbridge's future after the Gwent club failed to fulfil a Welsh Premier Division fixture for the second time this season.

Newbridge pulled out of tomorrow's fixture with Bridgend at the Brewery Field, citing personnel problems.

A call to the Bridgend team management on Monday evening saw coach Chris Stephens and his assistant Paul Williams reply with an offer to lend Newbridge two prop forwards to play against their own club.

"We would rather do that than miss the game as we don't really want a backlog of fixtures," said Williams.

"But it appears that Newbridge have trouble raising a side generally, and not just a front row.

"It's a shame as we are on a good run, but the match will have to be played later in the season."

Newbridge have parted company with coaches Mike Watkins and Keith Westwood this season, with Steve Cross and Paul Young having battled to keep them going, while secretary Graham Patterson resigned earlier in the campaign.

A club spokesman, who wished not to be named, said the reason for not playing was a long injury list and unavailability for a midweek game.