Pontypool 48 Tondu 6 match report

PONTYPOOL RFC fans are celebrating the difference a week makes.

Last weekend Pontypool went to the Dairy Field to take on bottom-of-the-table Llanharan and, with a very disappointing performance, lost to a better team on the day. The Saturday just passed Tondu, who went to the foot of the league table after Llanharan’s victory, were the visitors to Pontypool Park with the home side in a much better frame of mind in what proved a very comfortable win this time round, writes Ray Ruddick.

Pooler conceded an early penalty near their 10-metre line in midfield but visiting outside half Paul Smithson was wide with his attempt at goal. Shortly after, Pooler were guilty of crossing in midfield 45 metres from their line, and this time Smithson landed the penalty goal (3-0). Pooler’s right wing Chris Laing made a good break on the right which took play into the Tondu half. The ball went left and as Pooler entered the visitors’ 22, Tondu’s No 8 Matthew Phillips took out a player without the ball and was yellow carded.

Pontypool applied pressure on the Tondu defence and their numerical advantage paid off when the ball went right, then left and left wing Ashley Norton crossed in the corner for an unconverted try (5-3). Sharp thinking by skipper Rob Nash took a quick throw in to Clayton Gullis near the half way line who then fed Ashley Norton who made a lovely break and linked up with Marc Thorley in support and the centre scored an unconverted try (10-3). Just before half time, Pooler were penalised at a maul inside their 22 on Tondu’s left and Smithson kicked the goal to make the half time score Pontypool 10 Tondu 6.

Early in the second period, Pooler centre Dai Davies made a great break, splitting the Waterwheelers’ defence and was brought down a few metres from the line. The ball was recycled and went left for Clayton Gullis to score a try and kicked the conversion (17-6). Lovely interpassing by Gullis and Norton resulted in the latter going over for Pooler’s bonus-point try. The conversion failed (22-6). Home scrum half Aaron Quick fielded a relieving kick just outside Tondu’s 22 and passed to Laing who found a gap and went over for a try near the posts. Gullis converted (29-6). Tight head prop Jamie “Teddy” Edwards picked up a loose ball and passed to hooker Matthew Prosser who, in turn, offloaded to Thorley and the impressive centre scored under the posts. Gullis converted (36-6).

Pontypool were now starting to click and their next try was scored by Laing after some good handling in the build up. Gullis added the extras (43-6).

After another good movement, with the ball going through several pairs of hands, Gullis scored an unconverted try in the right corner but missed the difficult conversion (48-6). Final score Pontypool 48 Tondu 6.

Pooler will be on their travels next Saturday with a trip to Pembrokeshire to take on Narberth at the Lewis Lloyd Ground. Kick-off is 2.30pm.

Pontypool: Clayton Gullis, Chris Laing, Marc Thorley, Dai Davies (replaced by Tom Hancock), Ashley Norton (replaced by Josh Hurley), Sam Mills, Aaron Quick, Jamie Jeune, Matthew Prosser (replaced by Keegan Bale), Jamie Edwards (replaced by Garin Harris), Mathew Thomas, Lee Williams, Jordan Williams, Rob Nash (captain), Richard Bromley (replaced by Elliott Goodman).

Pontypool scorers: Tries by Ashley Norton (2), Marc Thorley (2), Clayton Guillis (2), Chris Laing (2). Conversions by Clayton Gullis (4).

Tondu scorer: Penalties by Paul Smithson (2).

Referee: Mr Jason Bessant (Nantymoel)