Bargoed put in a huge defensive shift to restrict a rampant Pontypridd side to a four tries to two victory at Bargoed Park. A slick Pontypridd outfit came out of the blocks brimming with confidence following their demolition of Merthyr the previous week and played with pace, power and width but couldn’t break down a resolute Bulls defence.
Diggy Bird, the Ponty outside half put over a 40 metre penalty to take an early lead. After being under the cosh for much of the first quarter, Bargoed broke out of defence with centre Jordan Howells coming close to scoring a try for the home side following a searing run by David Evans. The wing put in a deftly weighted grubber kick which sat up nicely for Howells to gather just short of the line. The ball was recycled but Bargoed were penalised for a tackle without the ball and Ponty cleared.
Minutes later, Pontypridd punished the Bulls for not taking their opportunity with wing Alex Webber putting full back Lloyd Rowlands over in the corner. Bird converted well from the touchline to make it 0-10 after 23 minutes.
Bargoed returned to defensive duty and held out until three minutes from the break when Rhys Shellard scored Ponty’s second to make it 0-17 at half time with Bird’s conversion.
The Bulls looked more composed in the second half and benefitted from a deceptively strong breeze but still couldn’t get on the scoreboard and the experienced Ceri Sweeney, on as a sub, scored their third with virtually his first touch and converting his own try to take the score to 0-24 on the hour. The bonus point try came three minutes later with the impressive Alex Webber going over for an unconverted try.
Bargoed stuck to their task and were rewarded with a Jordan Howells interception from half way and were unlucky moments later when a Darren Humphries chargedown didn’t go to hand.
Bargoed’s second try came from a Calum Jones penalty to the Pontypridd twenty two. A clean catch and drive looked to have had enough momentum to cross the line but referee Dewi Phillips signalled a penalty advantage as the maul was stopped illegally. Bargoed played on with wing David Evans finishing off the move at the corner flag. The conversion went wide from the touchline but referee Phillips wasn’t finished and binned Ponty lock Sean Moore for bringing down the maul. That was the final score of the game Ponty victorious at 10-29.
