Pontypool have to ring changes for Cardiff trip (From Free Press Series)

Pontypool have to ring changes for Cardiff trip

Old Illtydians 32 Pontypool United 19

Pontypool Utd made seven changes for their visit to Cardiff at the weekend. In came hooker Jamie June, prop Stephen Parfitt, second row Mark Parry and complete back row Mike Rosser, Jason Read and Matthew Davies.

In the backs Nathan Bowles returned at centre.

Playing with the wind in the first half Utd led by 9-3 at the interval all their points scored by full-back Darren Davies.

In the second period Old Illtydians started to turn the screw and they cruised into a 20-9 lead with two converted tries and a penalty.

Utd then brought on their subs, one of which was flank forward Stephen Jones who preceded to have an influential part on the remainder of the game. Then he charged down a kick and eventually set a try up for young scrum half Rhys Griffiths.

Old Illtydians also had their fair share of the last 20 minutes as they scored two tries, one of which they converted.

The final score was 32-19 in favour of the Cardiff side.

In midweek a Utd side lost 38-0 to Pontypool in the Tesco Challenge but on the night the real winners were the Pontypool United Youth team who received a cheque for £2,000 form Tesco's and the charity Make A Wish who received £500 donated by Pontypool RFC for winning the game.