Ponty Claim the Points

Pontypridd 29 RGC 17
Saturday 16th December 2023

The homeside struck first when they moved the ball quickly and easily carved open the RGC defence, with scrum-half Joel Raikes crossing the line. The boot of Josh Phillips added the extras.

RGC were trying to force the errors from Ponty with some good line speed in defence as they shut down a couple of Ponty exit kicks.
They were rewarded when Ponty dropped the ball under pressure and Arthur Lennon calmly collected to run in for the try on his first start for RGC.  Sam Earl-Jones split the posts to level the score with the conversion.

The danger signs were visible when Ponty found space to run into, and they broke again as the pitch opened up but ended with a knock-on.
Both sides swapped kicks, some more effective than others, with the wet conditions testing the handling skills.
RGC’s defence was again opened up when Ponty regained the lead moving the ball wide and Josh Phillips attacked then Raikes collected to score again, Phillips hit the extras.

The homeside were making some good yards with the ball in hand, and RGC were having to make some crucial tackles chasing the runners.
Matters were made worse for RGC when the Ponty pack drove hard before popping the ball to centre Ryan Wilkins to score try number 3.
Errors were costing the Gog and when a pass went over Dafydd Williams head straight into touch the frustration could be felt both on and off the pitch.
With minutes remaining in the half RGC did put some pressure onto the Ponty line with a couple of driving mauls, and  a couple of penalties as a result but couldn’t put a dent in the scoreboard

RGC offloaded the bench at half-time with Pedr Jones, Dan Owen, Harri Hughes and Efan Jones all brought on to spark the side on.
There was more impetus in the carry and more yards were and ball in hand, and points arrived when Sam Earl-Jones smashed a penalty on 45 minutes.
The Gogs needed the next score but it was Ponty that claimed it, again the driving maul moved forward and Aled Ward came away with the BP try. Phillips boot was on target with the conversion

RGCs centre partnership of Delwyn Jones and Afon Bagshaw was punching holes in the homesides defence and it lead to the 2nd RGC try, when they got to the line and Pedr Jones was able to crash over. Earl-Jones added the conversion to close the score to 9 points with 15 minutes remaining on the clock.
Both sides were down to 14 men when Ilan Evans and Kristian Parker were shown the yellow card.
75 minutes in Pontypridd extended the lead with a Phillips penalty.

The error count from inaccurate kicks, missed lineouts cost RGC both possession and momentum and Ponty had the points cushion to see out the game without much worry and a BP win.