Pontypridd 7 v 23 Whites
04 Oct 2008 - St Helens
Swansea bounced back into form with an impressive 23-7 win over Pontypridd. The Sardis Road outfit had previously won eight of the ten matches between the sides in the semi-pro era but an inspired display from man of the match Jonny Lewis and 15 points from Nicky Thomas helped the Whites to a comprehensive victory.
Pontypridd number eight Nathan Strong was lucky not to be yellow carded early for a high tackle on Rhys Jones but referee Phil Fear was in a lenient mood. Damian Karauna opened the scoring with a neatly taken drop goal from a good platform created by the Whites’ forwards.
Swansea came close to scoring the opening try after a drive by Richard Kelly almost sent in Steffan Jones at the corner, but he was tackled into touch. Further surges forward by Matthew Evans and Kelly set up Karauna who chipped to the corner, but Nicky Thomas was crowded out by the Pontypridd defence.
The visitors’ prop Sam Hobbs was carried off with a suspected knee injury after 24 minutes which resulted in a lengthy stoppage. It didn’t seem to affect them though as a good move involving Andrew Jenkins, Strong and Rhys Lloyd sent centre Mike Davies charging towards the line, only for Fear to impede him much to the annoyance of the away support.
Pontypridd continued to batter the Swansea defence with Gavin Dacey held up just short of the line. However they finally had their reward for a long spell of pressure as winger Aled Brew received a quick tap penalty to show his strength and crash over from close range. Dai Flanagan converted.
Half-Time:- Swansea 3 Pontypridd 7
The Whites almost began the second half as they did the first with a Karauna drop goal but this time he was off target. However Nicky Thomas soon added three points with a penalty after the visitors’ defence crept offside.
Flanagan almost replied for Pontypridd after Swansea were caught offside but he also missed. A knock down at the ruck by the Sardis Road men gifted Nicky Thomas another three points.
A break down the wing by Nicky Thomas forced the visitors to kill the ball but Swansea were unable to make the most of the penalty chance. Chris Clayton was then yellow carded for preventing Karauna from taking a quick penalty.
Roy Jones charged through the Pontypridd defence and set up a try scoring opportunity but Nicky Thomas failed to spot a five man overlap out wide. With the match on a knife-edge, it took a moment of inspiration by scrum half Rhodri Wells who picked up possession from the base of a ruck to dart his way over and score a well taken solo try. Nicky Thomas converted. In the closing stages, Swansea added a second try through Nicky Thomas after the forwards showed their dominance by pushing the visitors’ pack off their own ball and the ball was fed out quickly for him to score. He also converted.
The Whites’ coaching staff will undoubtedly be relieved to win a game that could have gone either way at half time. It will definitely give the side confidence as they prepare for two tricky away games against top five sides Bridgend and Newport respectively.
Full-Time:- Swansea 23 Pontypridd 7
Venue:- St. Helen’s, Swansea
Weather:- Rain, 15C
Competition:- Principality Welsh Premiership
Referee:- Phil Fear
Swansea Scorers:- Karauna (DG), N. Thomas (2 Pens, 2 Cons, Try), Wells (Try)
Pontypridd Scorers:- Brew (Try), Flanagan (Con)
Swansea Team:- 15 J. Lewis 14 Rhys Jones 13 A. Thomas 12 J. Stuart 11 N. Thomas 10 D. Karauna 9 R. Wells 1 T. Evans 2 A. Joy 3 A. Clatworthy 4 H. Alford 5 R. Kelly 6 M. Popham 7 M. Evans 8 S. Jones
By Paul Hopkins
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