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Pontypridd Under 14's would like to Thank our kit sponsors for 2011/12 Newbridge Arms, Fix-a-Dent, Welsh Garden Construction Company & Fix Auto
NEWS & MATCH REPORTS
UNDER 14's Pontypridd 19 - 13 Penclawdd
TRY Scorers for Pontypridd: Owain Keane (2) & Jack Samuel. Conversions kicked by Dane Blacker. Man of the Match: Owain Keane.
Matts View...
After a scare in the forecast we managed to get the game on with Penclawdd after sadly having the game away before Xmas cancelled due to the bad weather. We all know about Penclawdd as they are one of the best teams in Wales at this age level. They are a very big team and sadly we were missing some of our regulars with Dan and Zac carrying injuries and Kieran out due to district commitments the day before so the boys had to pull together and fill some big shoes.
We started up the hill and Penclawdd put on some pressure. Both teams were intent in making this a hard game. Penclawdd have only lost once this year and on today's performance you can see why. Silly mistakes by us gave them a penalty which the outside half kicked well, then a huge break away after a good kick saw them cross for a try in the corner, the conversion was missed so we found ourselves in a very unusual position of being behind. We then upped our level and we found success after
some great pressure we had a scrum 5 meters out, Regan picked and run offloading to Owain to cross the line. 8-7 half time.
After a chat we came out and boy did we push on the forwards came into their own and put in some big hits and our scrum really upped their game. We now took control and pushed hard. A great run and pass to Jack who somehow managed to catch and take two men over the line with him, a great try and was well deserved. A huge kick by Beans two yards in from touch was awesome, we were now 14-8 up. The visitors then came back into it with a great worked try with some great play to close the gap again to 14-13 this was going to go right to the wire and Ponty now still going up a gear saw Owain retake the ball after an awesome scrum against the head and Owain was the first on it to go over in the corner.19-13. The last few mins were great with both teams putting everything into it, on the whistle we had just edged it.
I would firstly like to thank Penclawdd as you are the best team we have played this season by far. It was two excellent teams with no holds bared rugby, also your players are a credit to you all as their attitude and manners were fantastic. Secondly well done to all of my boys I'm so proud of you all and thank you from me and all my coaching team. Well done Owain our mom, but i can honestly say you all deserve a part of that. well done and onwards to next week.
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UNDER 14's Pontypridd 49 - 0 Rumney
TRY Scorers: Kieran Gay, Dane Blacker, Jack Samuel, Connor Jones, Adam
Ashford, Christian Bird & Regan Wilson. Conversions kicked by Zac Byard.
Man of the Match: Lloyd Harries.
UNDER 14's Dev. Pontypridd 15 - 0 Rumney
TRY Scorers: Kieran Gay, Daniel Griffiths & Zac Byard.
Matts View...
Today we welcomed Rumney, a team we met in the St Peters Tournament so we knew we were in for a good game as they are a well organised unit.
We started slowly today but soon found our legs, the forwards were outstanding again winning every lineout for the whole game and nearly all lineouts against the head. A special mention for todays game went to man of the match Lloyd Harries his handling and lineout work together with good running and rucking was great to see. Our backs were again good with some flowing rugby being played. Also a special mention that it was really pleasing to see some of the moves we have worked on in training coming off. The try from Regan and the try by Dan after great running by Regan and Josh was awesome.
Well done boys a really great performance.
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UNDER 14's Kenfig Hill 5 - 46 Pontypridd
TRY Scorers for Pontypridd: Regan Wilson (2), Adam Morris, Owain Keane, Josh Thomas, Josh Deane, Luke Jones & Dane Blacker. Conversions kicked by Dane Blacker (3). Man of the Match: Jack Samuel.
Matts View...
A trip down west found us against Kenfig Hill for the first time in a
few years. A dry but very cold and windy day found the game for
interesting conditions, we played into the wind and up hill in the
first half. It was a chance for some boys to get some game time today
as we were missing the district lads so the chance to impress for some.
We started slowly but took the first try, Kenfig responded before we
took the lead again with another hard working try just before half
time. The first half was very physical and demanding due to the wind
and slope but we pushed hard going in with the lead. The second half
was one way traffic, we pushed hard and the rugby started flowing, a
great team effort and we ran in several unanswered tries to kill the
game off.
A special mention for Kenfigs number 9 who was very good on
the day, also to our forwards including Josh D, The Cat, Dan and Regan,
also motm Jack put in some fantastic effort, good games also for Ox,
Jasper and Lloyd and nice return from Rhys. Fishy, Gregor and Brendan
their usual good standard. The backs as ever playing well with the
wingers Lucas and Christian flying and Conner doing well covering full
back. And well done Beans, Owain and Luke all playing unusual roles.
Adam A another solid performance.
Onwards to next week...
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UNDER 14's Bridgend Sports 0 - 49 Pontypridd
TRY Scorers: Regan Wilson (2), Alex Price, Adam Ashford, Conner Jones, Kieran Gay & Lucas Hickman. Conversions kicked by Zac Byard (6) & Dane Blacker.
Man of the Match: Regan Wilson.
UNDER 14's Dev. Pontypridd 12 - 0 Bridgend Sports
TRY Scorers: Adam Ashford & Alex. Price. Conversion kicked by Dane Blacker.
Matts View...
Firstly Happy New Year to you all. Today we faced Bridgend Sports
away, as usual we knew we would be in for a tough game as Sports are
one of the better teams of the area. Our players were really looking
forward to the game after what seems an age with no game due to weather
problems leading up to christmas. We flew out of the blocks today and
were straight into Sports, we played the game at an awesome pace and
took control from the first whistle to the last. Our forwards were
immence today not losing a single ruck all game and the work rate was
outstanding, Regan was man of the match and led from the front from
start to finish. It was really great to watch our backs were up to
their usual high standard so it was a fantastic start to the new year
for us all well done boys really proud of you after today!!
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BLUES CUP FIRST ROUND
UNDER 14's Brecon 5 - 44 Pontypridd
Try Scorers for Pontypridd: Luke Jones (2), Regan Wilson (2), Luke Prankerd, Christian Bird, Conner Jones & Zac Byard. Conversions kicked by Zac Byard.
Man of the Match: James Gay.
Away to Brecon was never going to be an easy draw in the Blues Cup, but we went into the game on a high after some great rugby last week. A overcast day but a nice pitch to play on we were really up for the challange ahead.
The game started well with the forwards using their strength and took control of the game. The game seemed to fly past as we put some fantastic rugby on display and did not let Brecon into our 22 in the first half. Second half our backs found their feet and ran in some great tries. Young Fishy was Man of the Match today after putting in some awesome tackles and covering nearly every blade of grass.
We look forward to the next round draw!
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UNDER 14's Pontypridd 55 - 7 Dunvant
TRY Scorers for Pontypridd: Regan Wilson (2), Luke Jones (2), Kieran Gay (2), Adam Ashford (2) & Christan Bird. Conversions kicked by Zac Byard.
Man of the Match: Regan Wilson.
Matts view...
After much rain this week the ground up at Glyncoch was not the best we have played on. After what seemed like weeks of not being able to train properly it was just nice to feel the mud under our feet again!
Today we faced a very good team from Dunvant who looking through their scores for this year have been playing some fantastic rugby. Sadly due to illness and injurys to some of their team we had to start the game with 13 a side.
As we all know this really suits us as per the St Peters Tournament so Dunvant were up against it from the word go. The rugby played today was some of the best we have played all season, our forwards were strong and powerfull and our backs fast and accurate, it was also very pleasing to see some of the moves we have been working hard in training worked really well accounting for two of the tries scored.
Man of the match was very hard to choose as the lads all worked hard but Regan just edged it with some fantasic commitment and hard work. Thanks go to Dunvant for making such a long journey and we look forward to seeing you in the new year as you are a great team and very polite and well mannered bunch.
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UNDER 14's Pontypridd 47 - 7 Penarth
TRY Scorers for Pontypridd: Zac Byard (2), Regan Wilson (2), Connor Jones, Kieran Gay & Alex Price. Conversions kicked by Zac Byard.
Man of the Match: Jack Samuel.
Matts view...
A much better performance today, still a bit short of where we know we can be but overall much better.
Penarth are a very good team but our efforts and patterns of play were just to much for them today. Onwards to another tough match next week against Treorcy. May I also take this oppertunity to thank Penarth today as their players are a credit to your team and are the most polite and respectfully team we have come accross this season.
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UNDER 14's Bridgend Athletic 26 - 10 Pontypridd
TRY Scorer for Pontypridd: Owain Keane. Conversion & Penalty kicked by Zac Byard. Man of the Match: Brendan Payne.
Matts view...
After a touch and go decision whether the game was going to be on we travelled to Bridgend for another tough test and spirits were high.
The game started at a great pace and Bridgend gained early control and took the lead, we battled hard but today we came up against a team who wanted this a lot more than our boys and we struggled to get any of our fluid rugby going. The game was not our best display with some of the boys looking tired and not with it. Good work as usual by Owain saw him cross the line for a deserved try but again we never pushed on and held back again. Brendan worked very hard and was my man of the match. On to the next game and try to find the form i know we are capable of and can do and push on again.
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UNDER 14's Ton Mawr 24 - 7 Pontypridd
TRY Scorer for Pontypridd: Jasper Powell. Conversion kicked by Dane Blacker.
Joint Man of the Match: Owain Keane & Alex Price.
Matts view...
Tonmawr away was never going to be an easy game but with 11 first
team players missing it was going to be more difficult than normal. But
on the other side of the coin it gave some of this seasons fringe
players an opportunity to shine and force thier way into the team.
We were down to the bare bones of the squad and only could muster one sub.
so the boys would have plenty of game time to impress. The game started well enough but went downhill fast, we were no where near the level we know we are capable of and made error after error, it was very dissapointing to watch and I felt for some of the boys who were playing out of their skins while some thought they were out for a sunday afternoon stroll in the park.
We must look at this game as one where we know we could of done a lot better but we will build on this and try to put all the negatives that arose today and turn them into positives on the training pitch. I look forward to seeing you all at training on Wednesday!
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ST PETERS TOURNAMENT 2011
Under 14's Tournament Winners Pontypridd
Today we faced our first tournament of the season the St Peter's 125 year anniversary tournament. The weather was very kind for October and all the squad were looking forward to the games ahead.
The tournament was the strongest teams in Wales, St Peters had done really well in making sure this was going to be a real test of strength, ability and fitness. teams were drawn into 4 groups, ours consisting of us, Llandaff, Penarth and Rumney.
Ponty played superb in these going through with a 100% win rate. In the qtrs we faced Pentyrch and the tempo was rasied again with some fantastic rugby being played by the boys. In the semi we face Rhiwbina and as we know these guys are a good rugby team but our boys did us proud again by winning by a great margin.
The final saw Ponty play Penallta in what was going to be a great final. Penallta opened the scoring with a very well worked try only the third we'd conceded all day , but as is the Ponty way we never give up and responded with chips going over in the corner.
Half time saw us behind for the first time all day, but the second half was one way traffic, Cory crossed the line and scored but was disallowed because the ref had blocked one of the Penallta defenders, but we saw that as our chance to go up a gear.
Some wonderfull defending and winning the ball back saw Christian open his legs and cross for the winning try with 20 seconds on the clock, a nice high restart and a knock on saw us win 10-7.
Well done to the whole squad! Im very proud of all your hard work and commitment today and look forward to our next game together.
UNDER 14's Pontypridd 32 - 0 Llandaff
TRY Scorers: Adam Ashford (2), Christian Bird, Regan Wilson, Dane Blacker &
Corry Tarrant. Conversion kicked by Zac Byard.
UNDER 14's Pontypridd 24 - 10 Penarth
TRY Scorers for Pontypridd: Luke Jones, Alex Price, Dane Blacker & Adam Ashford. Conversions kicked by Zac Byard.
UNDER 14's Pontypridd 19 - 0 Rumney
TRY Scorers: Conner Jones, Regan Wilson & Zac Byard. Conversions kicked by Zac Byard.
UNDER 14's QUARTER FINAL
Pontypridd 31 - 0 Pentyrch
TRY Scorers: Josh Deane, Jack Samuel, Owain Keane (2) & Regan Wilson. Conversions kicked by Zac Byard.
UNDER 14's SEMI-FINAL
Pontypridd 34 - 0 Rhiwbina
TRY Scorers: Zac Byard, Owain Keane, Cory Tarrant, Luke Jones, Adam Ashford & Sean Bowditch. Conversions kicked by Zac Byard.
UNDER 14's FINAL
Pontypridd 10 - 7 Penallta
TRY Scorers for Pontypridd: Luke Jones & Christian Bird.
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UNDER 14's Aberdare 5 - 41 Pontypridd
TRY Scorers for Pontypridd: Zac Byard, Kieran Gay, Christian Bird, Adam Ashford, Lucas Hickman, Alex Price & Dane Blacker. Conversions kicked by Kieran Gay (3). Man of the Match: Owain Keane.
Matt's view...
In our toughest match to date we faced a very big side in Aberdare.
on a lovely sunny afternoon in very hot conditions it was a game which
we were really looking forward to.
The game started patchy and we struggled in the heat but soon found our stride going into the break over 20 points up, the second half was much improved and was more our usual style, a big thank you to Aberdare as they gave us our best test this season so far and we wish you well for the rest of the season. Todays man of the match was Owain andI thought he was superb.
Well done boys on we go for another tough match next week!!
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UNDER 14's Beaufort 0 - 78 Pontypridd
TRY Scorers: Christian Bird (4), Luke Jones (3), Lucas Hickman (2), Zac Byard (2) & Adam Ashford. Conversions kicked by Zac Byard (8) & Dane Blacker.
Man of the Match: Luke Prankerd.
Matts View...
A sunny sunday morning saw us pitted against Beaufort again this time
away. We knew after our last game that we would be in a physical battle
and we were not wrong.
The game was played at a fantastic tempo and was very enjoyable to watch. Full credit to all the team as some of the handling was a joy to watch and the movement and hard work was there for all to see. All the squad except the injured boys managed to get some game time and everyone put in a great shift. Man of the match was Luke Prankard but there were many that could of been in for this so well done everyone.
Thank you to Beaufort for keeping going all the way to the end and for giving us a great game.
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UNDER 14's Pontypridd 58 - 15 Beaufort
TRY Scorers for Pontypridd: Luke Jones (2), Christian Bird (3), Adam Ashford (2), Owain Keane, Jack Samuel & Alex Price. Conversions kicked by Dane Blacker (4).
Man of the Match: Dane Blacker.
Today we found ourselves home against Beaufort who came to us on the
back of a very good result last week against Abertilery after scoring
10 tries against them.
We were very deplited today due to injuries and boys who could not play due to district games yesterday, so lads who had worked hard all pre season had the opportunity they had been waiting for and boy did they take it with both hands!
I thought we worked very hard against a very big team and more than matched them in most positions, there were a lot of boys who played out of there normal
positions today and I thank them for their efforts and commitment,they all did us proud.
Man of the match was young "Beans" (Dane Blacker), but I must say that there were many players who more than stepped up to the plate today, thats what I find so great at the moment is that we are not a team we are a squad and that is clear for all to see. The work rate and effort is also great to see, also the lads who could not play a big thankyou to you all for being there to support and assist your team mates by helping with water and kicking tees, well done today boys! I would also like to send our best wishes to the lad who was hurt and we all wish him a speedy recovery!
We all at Pontypridd Under 14's would like to send our best wishes to
Lloyd Bartlett of Beaufort RFC who was injured in todays match, we are
pleased to hear that Lloyd has no broken bones and wish him a very
speedy recovery from his injury.
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UNDER 14's Pontypridd 53 - 7 Rhiwbina
TRY Scorers for Pontypridd: Lucas Hickman (2), Christian Bird, Adam Morris, Kieran Gay, Regan Wilson, Zac Byard & Jasper Powell. 5 Conversions & a Penalty kicked by Zac Byard. Man of the Match: Adam Ashford.
Matt's View...
Today we faced our first big test of the season, a very tough match
against the reining Blues Cup Holders Rhiwbina.
The game was played in fantasic conditions and on a great pitch. the lineup was selected, we have been very lucky to hold on to nearly all our players and have added a few new faces to the squad.
I thought the game was played at an outstanding pace and intensity and the whole squad spirit was a joy to see. It would be wrong of me to single out any individual players as you all did yourselves and each other and all the coaches proud.
I'm really enjoying working with you all and lets hope we can push on with this spirit and commitment and team ethic and move forward toghether.
Once again thank you boys you were awsome!!
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Ponty Under 14's Fixtures
2011-12
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