**MATCH REPORT** PONTYPRIDD 47 – MERTHYR 19

As the Ponty squad lined up for a guard of honour for Ceri Sweeneys last game, the crowd showed their appreciation for Ceri’s commitment to the club. With Merthyr recently crowned Premiership champions for the second consecutive season, it was all to play for with the home side keen to get the win As the … Continued

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As the Ponty squad lined up for a guard of honour for Ceri Sweeneys last game, the crowd showed their appreciation for Ceri’s commitment to the club.

With Merthyr recently crowned Premiership champions for the second consecutive season, it was all to play for with the home side keen to get the win

As the drizzle came down, the Ponty backs started at a pace and quick hands saw the ball go to speedster Webber who  sped down the line for the first points of the evening. Converted by Sweeney.
Ponty won clean possession at the kick off but Merthyr pressure pushed play to the home sides 22 m line , Ponty were quick to regain & boot to the Merthyr half . Quick hands by the backs enabled them to punch holes in the defence and Sieniawski burst through for a try , with the conversion by Sweeney
Yellow card for Merthyr saw the visitors down to 14 men
With possession now back with ponty but lost in a tackle , Merthyr were  awarded the scrum with ponty then awarded the penalty .
Ponty maintained the upper hand in the scrum and pushed the visitors off the ball
Both sides wanting to play an expansive game , Pontys pressure paid off and Stuckey crossed for a try , conversion Sweeney . 33 Dane  off Joel on
Great ball skills ensued after Ponty pressure & Webber juggled & touched down for the try
Score 26-0
Merthyr were keen to run from their half & were awarded  a penalty taking the play to the Pontypridd 22 . Possession won & line cleared by Sweeney . Ponty looked to have scored under the posts only for it to called as a knock on & Scrum down to Merthyr
Ponty awarded scrum as Merthyr player goes back into the scrum to play the ball
Possession went back & fore as the slippery conditions played a part in the handling errors .
Ponty maintained possession & another try just on half time saw knotty go under the posts with the conversion by Sweeney
Score 33-0 half time
Second half started at a pace with the home team setting up phases , with the backs and forwards putting together great set pieces.
Quick ball by the 3/4 saw Ben jones kick ahead with the  ball gathered by the forwards pushing to the line – Knotty the try scorer , Sweeney conversion
40-0
With Merthyr pressing the home sides defence, Sweeneys interception almost saw him make it to the line
With a great effort by Jordan Pritchard , his off load to  to knotty almost resulted in a try bus was narrowly held off by Merthyr defence.
With changes being made, Gabe Davies replaced Alex Knott
Tom tank on Dowden off
Merthyr pressure paid off and they went over for a try.  Rhod jones replaces Rhys Shellard

Merthyr continued to  press for Pontys line and their patience paid off with a try from the scrum try by Craig Locke.  Gareth off Pritchard on
& conversion 40-12
Lloyd off Steff on
Morgan off for an injury to his eye but no subs left to replace.
Try Merthyr & conversion after sustained pressure Score 40-19
Great break away try by Rhod Jones resulting in a try which was swiftly converted by Sweeney
Score 47-19
Forward pass Merthyr as they tried to set up a phase in the final minutes but Pontys defence stood firm resulting in the home team long awaited win against Merthyr.
Final score 47 -19

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