08 Pontypridd V Newport - 24th October 2009 Video

Newport pipped by Ponty in thriller

6:10am Monday 26th October 2009
By Iwan Davies »

THIS exciting tussle was a superb advert for the Premiership and great credit should go to both sides for an entertaining game played in dreadful conditions.

It was played in almost continuous rain on a heavy Sardis Road pitch, and the impressive 2,000 or so crowd were given real value for money.

That said, Newport head coach Sven Cronk and his men were bitterly disappointed after coming so close to taking Pontys unbeaten near-two-year home record, losing 21-20.

They were seconds away from what would have been a hard-earned and memorable victory that could really have kick-started their season.

Newport led 17-0 near the half-hour mark thanks to tries from old Sardis Road favourite Gareth Wyatt and hooker Andrew Brown, plus two conversions and a penalty from Chris Wannell.

But Pontypridd scored 18 unanswered points as they fought back valiantly after Newports stunning opening.

But the visitors went into the lead when ice-cool replacement outside-half Shaun Connors beautifully struck near-40-metre penalty sailed between the uprights and Newport looked to have nicked the game at the death.

But there was still time for Ponty to launch an attack which ended with Newport conceding a penalty nearly in front of the posts, also from around 40 metres out. Connors opposite number Dean Gunter broke Newport hearts when his handsome injury-time penalty too went in between the posts.

The home fans pleaded with referee David Bodilly to end the game but Newport were able to launch one final assault.

It was hearts-in-mouth time when they won a line-out on the home 22, but replacement hooker Mike Leamans throw-in wasnt straight and the chance was lost and Ponty went to the top of the league.

Newport had the perfect start when they scored a gorgeous try in the first minute.

Newport Gwent Dragons centre Rhodri Gomer Davies on Black and Ambers duty gave a well-timed pass to Wyatt, whose great angle saw him scythe through the Ponty defence and score. Wannells neat conversion made it 7-0.

After eight minutes Newport should have been further ahead when their hooker Andrew Brown did well to charge down a kick in the Ponty 22.

Brown chased the ball and knocked on right on the line when he went to pick it up, rather than use his feet to control the ball.

If it hadnt been for the touch judge keeping up with play he might have got away with it for Mr Bodilly seemed to have been unsighted as Brown dived over.

But Brown made up for his error when he scored Newports second try a few minutes later.

Ponty were making a host of errors and guilty of trying to play too much rugby early on.

When one of their attacks broke down on the halfway line, the ball was hacked on and then turned over before being given to Brown, who sprinted home. Wannells excellent conversion made it 14-0 after as many minutes.

Newport were on fire and Ponty didnt know what had hit them.

Wannells long-range penalty put Newport further ahead but it marked a sea change in fortunes.

Gunter also had his kicking boots on, putting over a 40-metre penalty before Ponty lock Grant Harringtons converted try after some sustained pressure brought the score back to 17-10 at half-time.

Pontys No 10 atoned for a howler just before the interval when he missed a penalty in front of the sticks, and banged over another excellent strike.

Pontypridd took the lead when their impressive scrum-half Rhys Downes pounced on the ball to touch down after chasing little winger Lewis Williams kick ahead.

Wyatt, who took out Williams, was sent for ten minutes in the sin bin.

Pontypridd: A Thomas, C Clayton, G Dacey, D Lockyer (M Nuthall 70), L Williams, D Gunter, R Downes, S Hobbs, R Williams, P Palmer (R Harford 50), G Harrington, R Savage, C DiComidis, N Strong (capt), W OConnor (C Martenko 40) Scorers: Tries G Harrington and R Downes; penalties D Gunter (3); conversion Gunter Newport: G Wyatt, M Poole, R Gomer Davies, S Williams (D James 62), N Williams, C Wannell (S Connor 40), A Walker, D Pattison (I Evans 64), A Brown (M Leaman 73), L Hunter, D Rosser, A Jones, R Dale (S Waldron 58), A Coombs (capt), P Williams Scorers: Tries G Wyatt and A Brown; penalties Wannell and Connor; conversions Wannell (2) Referee: D Bodilly (WRU) Argus star man: Rhys Downes