BRYNITHEL 12 - 18 PONTLLANFRAITH

YES YES YES!!! Pont finally got their first league win of the season when they travelled to Brynithel on Friday night. The game was dubbed the battle of the basement dwellers but both sides produced the spectacular rugby we all know they can play to finish off a tough season.

The consistent front row of Dan Welsh, Nathan Meyrick and Rob Protheroe was complemented in the second row by captain Steve Reynolds and Phil Williams. Ynysddu journeyman Kevin Price joined Vincent Welsh and centre convert Ashley Cockerill in the backrow. Songster Aaron Farmer and Fleur boy Paul Morris made up the half backs whilst Gavin Lynch and Martin Gregg formed the centre partnership. Speedsters Aaron Romanic and Pete Thomas slotted in on the wings with the utility back Chris Miles playing full back.

The nerves showed early on as both sides made mistakes and it was the boys in blue who drew first blood with a fine penalty from new fly half Morris. But the passionate Brynithel side were not going to let Pont get carried away their first points in three games and came back with fine try. Pont then failed to use the favourable wind conditions and spent the next ten minutes playing in their own half. Bynithel sent the ball blind from a scrum and went over for another try to take the score to 12-3. Pontllanfraith were now in danger of letting their heads drop and opening the flood gates. Brynithel launched another brutal attack but Pont defended well on the fringes. Then the game was suddenly turned on it’s head as the mighty Rob Protheroe turned over a Brynithel ruck which sent the ball spinning out wide for Fijian like forward Phil Williams to go over in the corner with Morris adding the two points. This was enough to get the boys playing again and five before the half time whistle, Chris Miles sent a failed touch finder down to the corner only for the flying Martin Gregg to re-gather and pop off to Pete Thomas to go over in the corner.

Pont were now in the unfamiliar position of being in front at the start of the second half and Brynithel piled on the pressure. But try as they might, they couldn’t get any foothold on the game and started to make mistakes. Pont kept their cool and around half way through the second half got a penalty and man of the match Morris once again slotted to make the score line 12 – 18. The next twenty minutes seemed to take an eternity as the Brynithel pack threw the kitchen sink at Pont’s defence but Pont were now too strong and didn’t let the ball get out of the opponents half in the dying minutes. As the ref blew up the celebrations began and finally the loyal Pont supporters had something to cheer and a good night was had by all.

Back at the club the celebrations continued into the early hours and a good night was had by all. This small victory may have been just enough ensure the club steps positively into the lower divisions and once again become a local force to be reckoned with.

Injured player coach Wayne Grimstead said, as he wiped the tears of joy from his face “Lets all pull together now, have a good few weeks rest and go into pre season with two feet running. The only way forward is forward!”