Game 4 - Pontypridd v Cardiff

Game 4

Pontypridd v Cardiff

7^th September 2013

Biggest game of the season and so import to progress in the British and Irish Cup, the eliminator game was a tough one. Cardiff recruited well over the closed season and were much improved from last season and the first half was all Cardiff. Ponty were trying but were penalised at scrum and breakdown frequently, some ref decision were difficult to take and Ponty were getting frustrated.

First half finished 10 – 13 to Cardiff, very close. Second half was a bit better and Ponty scored two more trys and managed to win 22 to 19. Ponty, need to sort the line out and hookers need to relearn the art of hooking, but things will get better.

I disagree with a lot of comments on social media that the best team lost. “Yes”, Cardiff played well, but Ponty scored 3 trys to 1. The Cardiff try was a lucky bounce and they took the opportunity to score.

Wayne O’Connor made a huge difference when he came on, he is Mr Consistence, rarely has a bad game.

Now, looking forward to the away trips to London Welsh and London Scottish in the next few weeks. Hopefully we will progress out of the pool stage and go one step further than last year.

Pontypridd:

15.Adam Thomas. 14.Alex Webber. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Simon Humberstone. 9.Tom Williams (Lloyd Williams).

1.James Howe (Stuart Williams). 2.Huw Dowden (Rhys Williams). 3.Keiron Jenkins. 4.Craig Locke. 5.Chris Dicomidis - cpt. 6.Jake Thomas. 7.Rhys Shellard (Wayne O'Connor). 8.Dan Godfrey.

"Golden Bob" man of the match - Chris Dicomidis