Foster 7's Cardiff Arms Park - 25/08/2013

 

 

Ponty Champions Again

 

 

Ponty win the Foster 7's at the Cardiff Arms Park, defeating Llandovery 57 - 5.

 

 

Pontypridd Squad:

Rhys Shellard - cpt; Gavin Dacey; Dafydd Lockyer; Jake Thomas; Tom Hetherington.
Tom Williams; Lloyd Williams; Simon Humberstone; Geraint Walsh; Garyn Smith; Alex Webber; Owen Jenkins (Dai Flanagan).

Ponty player Alex Webber was nominated Player of the Tournament.

 

 

 



Merthyr and Pontypridd Training Day - 24/08/2013

 

 

 

 

Merthyr and Pontypridd Training Day - 24/08/2013

Game 3 - Pontypridd v Llandovery

 

Game 3

Pontypridd v Llandovery

17^th August 2013

Third and final friendly game was against Llandovery. The Drovers finished second in the league last year, so this game was going to be a tough one. Beautiful weather, it rained all afternoon, so the game started with Ponty kicking off.  After a few exchanges, Llandovery scored the first points of the day.

This game was a lot tougher than the previous ones and Llandovery were good in defence, but prone to slowing and killing the ball, so stopping Ponty from quick ball. Also, due to the wet conditions the ball was squirting around like a bar of soap. Both sides committed a lot of handling errors and Ponty lineout didn't function very well. The first half finished with both teams putting over a couple of penalties.

The rain got heavier in the second half and handling errors still continued, Ponty tried really hard to play running rugby but the weather was not helping, but in the last quarter of the game managed to score two tries. Final score was 21 to 9 to Ponty.

The player who stood for me was Geraint Welsh, he has a nice balance when runing and is able to come of either foot. Also, Blues player Tom Young looked a useful backrow forward.

Pontypridd:

15.Geraint Walsh. 14.Chris Clayton (Gavin Dacey). 13.Gavin Dacey (Gary Williams). 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Simon Humberstone (Dion McIntosh). 9.Lloyd Williams.

1.Scott Roberts (Lewis Jones). 2.Tom Hetherington (Carl Williams / Liam Belcher). 3.Keiron Jenkins. 4.Jordan Sieniawski (Lee Williams). 5.Chris Dicomidis - cpt. 6.Owen Sheppeard (Wayne O'Connor). 7.Thomas Young (Tom Hetherington). 8.Dan Godfrey (Owen Sheppeard).

 

Ponty New Squad Members

Ponty New Boys

Lee Williams

(lock)

Date of Birth: 19/09/83

Height: 6ft 6in

Weight: 18st 7lbs

Honours: Wales Youth; Crawshays XV

Lewis Jones

(prop)

Liam Belcher

(hooker)

Luke Crocker

(flanker)

Date of Birth:  09/10/89

Height: 6ft 2in

Weight: 16st 11lbs

Honours: Cardiff District Youth

 

Sam Edwards

(centre)



Game 2 - Pontypridd V Newbury Blues

Game 2

Pontypridd v Newbury Blues

10^th August 2013

A Saturday kick off, weather sunny and warm. This is the first time Ponty had played the Newbury Blues, not sure what division they play in England, but it was good to play a new team.

Ponty run out in their pink shirts again and the Blues in white and blue. Ponty kick off and within two minutes score their first try and after 30 minutes had scored 29 points.

At times it was like 7's rugby being played, Ponty totally blew the Blues away, after full time it was 129 to 7. I, believe this score is a club record beating the previous highest score by 20 points, I think Ponty scored 107 points against Llanharan in the SWALEC Cup game in the 90's.

The biggest cheer of the day when the Blues scored their only try and were unlucky not to score two more, but handling skills let them down. Credit must go to them for sticking in there, Ponty cut through them like butter at times.

The player who stuck out for me was Chris Clayton, put a lot of hard graft in and scored a couple of tries. Currently Ponty are really blessed with quality wingers, also, some of the young players the centre, prop and hooker played well, so we are looking a strong squad at the moment.

Next up is Llandovery in the 3^rd and final friendly to played at Sardis Road on Saturday 17^th August, I think this will be a lot tougher for Ponty.

Pontypridd:
15.Gareth Wyatt (Geraint Walsh). 14.Chris Clayton. 13.Gavin Dacey (Sam Edwards). 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Simon Humberstone (Dai Flanagan). 9.Gareth James (Lloyd Williams).
1.Lewis Jones. 2.Tom Hetherington. 3.Scott Roberts. 4.Craig Locke (Chris Dicomidis). 5.Lee Williams. 6.Luke Crocker (Dan Godfrey). 7.Jake Thomas (Liam Belcher). 8.Owen Sheppeard.

First Game of the Season - Pontypridd V Mid District XV

First Game of the Season

Pontypridd v Mid District XV

7^th August 2013

It was cloudy Wednesday night with rain in the air, took my place in the shed, recognising familiar faces and waited for the teams to run out.

There was no team announcements, didn't have a clue who was playing for the Mid District, in the Ponty team there were old faces and some new guys, again not sure who was who.

Ponty won the game 69 – nil, there was huge gap between the teams in skill and fitness. There was a bit of rustiness with Ponty, which was not unexpected, but a good start to season.

Ponty have a number friendly games coming up, next up is Newbury Blues which will be played on Saturday 10^th August.

Ponty has to hit the ground running and firing on all cylinders for the huge game against Cardiff for the BIC qualification in September.

Update:

Pontypridd:

15.Geraint Walsh (Gareth Wyatt). 14.Chris Clayton (Matthew Nuthall). 13.Sam Edwards (Gavin Dacey). 12.Dafydd Lockyer (Simon Humberstone). 11.Owen Williams. 10.Dai Flanagan (Dion McIntosh). 9.Joel Raikes (Lloyd Williams).

1.Scott Roberts (Keiron Jenkins). 2.Liam Belcher (Tom Hetherington). 3.Keiron Jenkins (Lewis Jones). 4.Lee Williams (Jordan Sieniawski)). 5.Jordan Sieniawski (Chris Dicomidis). 6.Jake Thomas (Liam Belcher). 7.Wayne O'Connor. 8.Owen Sheppeard.

The Mid District starting line up we were given:

15.Shaun Griffiths (Cilfynydd) 14.Peter Hutchins (Treorchy) 13.Luke Smalley (Bargoed) 12.Ben Grezica (Bedlinog) 11.Dale Stucky (Ynysybwl) 10.Jordan Rees (Abercwmboi) 9.Josh Hughes (Gilfach Goch). 8.Geraint Edmonds (Bedlinog) 7.Luke Ruol (Gilfach Goch) 6.Robert Jones (Ynysybwl) 5.Nick Eaves (Ystrad Rhondda) 4.Gareth Short (Bargoed) 3.Andrew Lloyd (Ynysybwl) 2.Ethan Coombs (Beddau) 1.Simon Collins (Treorchy)