Birmingham & Solihull v Pontypridd - match report
Mar
An early lead for Pontypridd courtesy of a Dean Gunter penalty
was soon cancelled out as the Bees struck back with a try scored by
flanker Adam Clayton and converted by wing Simon Hunt. An error
strewn encounter at least offered plenty of scoring opportunities,
with Ponty winger Chris Clayton going over for a well worked try in
the corner, the score converted by Gunter. As centre Lee Thorne
powered through for another touchdown, Ponty were looking good for
their 8pts to 15 advantage. The visitors were however anything but
dominant, and the Bees striking back with two tries in the run in
to half time, scored by full back Tom Foden and centre John Holtby,
both converted by Hunt to hoist the home team into an interval lead
of 21pts to 15. As another Simon Hunt penalty sailed through the
posts, an attack minded Birmingham team looked geared up for their
first British & Irish Cup win of the season. Pontypridd however
had other ideas. Ponty fought their way back into contention,
repelling all home attacks with some big hit tackles in midfield,
and exerting more pressure themselves. As lock Grant Harrington
claimed a try from a forward drive, a comeback seemed likely. With
sixty-two minutes on the clock winger Chris Clayton went over for a
close range try – his fiftieth for the club – with Dean Gunter
adding the conversion. Despite a late yellow card being issued to
Ponty lock Harrington, there was no way back for the Bees as the
visitors held out for a well earned bonus point victory by 24pts to
27. Pontypridd: Matthew Nuthall. 14.Owen Williams. 13.Adam Thomas.
12.Lee Thorne (Gary Williams). 11.Chris Clayton. 10.Dean Gunter.
9.Gavin Morris (Kristian Baller). 1.Stuart Williams (Jon Williams).
2.Tom Hetherington. 3.Ryan Harford. 4.Grant Harrington. 5.John
Barley (Dale McIntosh). 6.Ryan Savage. 7.Wayne O’Connor (Greg
Williams). 8.Chris Dicomidis.
