Pontypridd 28 Pontypool 21

Ponty pip Pooler in first pre-season friendly

Pontypool’s first pre-season match took them to Sardis Road to face fellow Premiership club Pontypridd on a wet August afternoon as heavy rain fell during the game, writes Ray Ruddick.

This was Pooler’s first visit to Sardis Road in almost 12 years, their last being on 5 November 2011 when the home side prevailed 32-17 and Ponty won again this time around but by a closer margin of 28-21 scoring four tries to Pooler’s three. The match was split into three periods.

Pontypool kicked off defending the clubhouse end of the ground, in their changed strip of blue jerseys. In the 9^th minute the visiting scrum was put under pressure and, after several scrums close to the Pooler line, the referee awarded a penalty try to the home side. That was the only score in the first period of the game (7-0).

In the 8^th minute of the second period Pooler were testing the home defence with play inside Ponty’s 22. The ball was released, went right and visiting centre Joel Mahoney went over for a well-worked try, 15 metres in from the right corner. This score was converted by outside half Matthew Jarvis (7-7). Nine minutes later the visitors were on the attack again inside the home 22 and, from a driving lineout following a penalty, hooker Will Griffiths scored a try, 5 metres in from touch on the right. Matthew Jarvis slotted a fine conversion (7-14). Pontypridd fought back and in the 23^rd minute from a driving maul near the Pooler line, hooker Rob Jones scored a try, 10 metres in from the right corner, converted by outside half Joseph Scrivens (14-14).

Then, in the 11^th minute of the final period, Pooler loose head prop Sam Cochrane was sin-binned for an offence at a scrum. Two minutes later the extra man told for Ponty as they scored their third try of the afternoon when centre McCauley Rowley crossed in the left corner with Joseph Scrivens adding the extras (21-14). 14 minutes later, visiting wing Amosa Nove was yellow-carded for pulling back an opponent. In the 30^th minute Ponty took a quick tap penalty inside Pooler's half and scrum half Harvey Nash scored a try near the posts which outside half Josh Phillips converted (28-14). However it was Pooler who claimed the final try of the afternoon when, after a powerful scrum near the home line, back row forward Ben Moa powered over for a try near the posts. Matthew Jarvis added the extras with the final action of an entertaining match. Final score – Pontypridd 28 Pontypool 21.

Many players from both sides were given game time so had the opportunity to catch the eye of their respective coaches. It was a good work-out for both clubs and there will be much to work on for Pontypool to get the players accustomed to the step up to play at Premiership level. Pontypool’s second and final pre-season friendly is on Friday 25 August when another Premiership outfit Merthyr visit Pontypool Park, kick-off 7.15pm.

Pontypridd starting XV: Iestyn Davies, Liam Lloyd, McCauley Rowley, Ryan Wilkins, Dale Stuckey, Josh Phillips, Joel Raikes, Tom Devine, Mitch Savage, Gary Daniel, Mitch Barnard, Chris Dicomidis, Callum Oliver, Callum James and Kristin Parker. Also played – Garin Parry, Davan Davies, Ewan Skuse, Clayton Gullis, Alex Lloyd, Will Higgins, Garyn Smith, Will Keep, Sam Hayman, Joseph Scrivens, Harvey Nash, Kian Mattravers, Rob Jones, Tom Harper, James Murphy, Macauley Cook, Cai James, Mason Hughes and Joe Miles.

Pontypool starting XV: Tom Davies, Amosa Nove, Pat Lewis, Dylan Lewis, Jermaine Chatham, Ethan Davies, Archie Lloyd, Kyan Best, Jack Gillard, Peter Lloyd, Adam Brown, Garin Price, Mike Herbert (captain), Adam Stratton and Ieuan Jones. Also played – Sam Cochrane, Will Griffiths, Ollie Drake, Ashley Sweet, Callum Davies, Ben Moa, Luke Fleming-Jones, Jake Davies, Lewis Johnson, Matthew Jarvis, Matt Bancroft, Joel Mahoney and Deon Smith.