Match Report

Both teams entered this fixture with excellent League records. Until the previous week Pontardulais had been unbeaten in the League and had only surrendered that record by the most slender of margins to League leaders Brynamman. Penclawdd were also in good shape having recorded seven back to back League victories.

The story of the first half centred on an outstanding display be the home pack. Penclawdd dominated the opening exchanges and were unlucky not to take the lead on a number of occasions. Luck didn’t appear to be on their side on the injury front either when they lost outside half James Ratti after twenty minutes with a facial injury. Matters were made worse moments later when flanker Richard Jones was forced to leave the field with a dislocated shoulder. The pressure paid off eventually when scrum half Paul James scrambled over following a forward drive. His try was converted by Rhys Williams who added a penalty goal shortly afterwards.

Pontardulais launched a series of attacks in the closing stages of the first half and went close to scoring on a number of occasions. However, when Penclawdd managed to turn the ball over a clearance kick was well followed up by centre Matthew Tucker who forced the Bont defenders to transgress in a tackle situation just inside their half. Rhys Williams fired over a superb fifty metre penalty goal which allowed the home team to end the first half much as they had started it.

Half Time Score Penclawdd 16 Pontardulais 0

The second half started in a similar vein and Penclawdd went further ahead when James scored his second try of the afternoon. Williams added the conversion. The visitors struck back forcibly and following some sustained passages of pressure they scored two tries both of which were converted.

Penclawdd were in no mood to be thwarted however and struck back with two further penalty goals from the boot of Rhys Williams to take them to a deserved victory.

Final Score Penclawdd 29 Pontardulais 14

Penclawdd RFC Scorers

Tries: Paul James (2)

Conversions: Rhys Williams (2)

Penalty Goals: Rhys Williams (5)

Penclawdd Man of the Match