Fixture

Pontllanfraith returned to the Welfare ground for the first time this season to host Beaufort in their second league fixture. Pont made six changes to the team that beat Llandrindod Wells last week. (Speaking of which, we’ve been drawn away to Swansea based Penlan RFC in the next round to take place 28th October).

Prior to kick off, a minutes silence was held in memory of Roger Gilson. Roger was a valued and long standing member of the club, A committeeman and club officer for many years and someone instrumental  in Pontllanfraith establishing it's own clubhouse. He'll be missed greatly. 

Fraith kicked off playing uphill, Beaufort made hard work of the catch and exit with Pont winning a lineout on Beauforts 22. In both games so far this season Pont had early success with the driving lineout, but the opponents on this occasion defended the opening maul resolutely and after a few phases from Pont, the men in green won a penalty and cleared up to halfway. From the lineout Beaufort made ground down the blind side before winning a penalty on Pont’s 10m line. To much surprise, the away side’s hooker stepped up and slotted the long distance penalty between the posts.

Pont seemed to have the upper hand at the opening scrum, but the advantage was deemed illegal by the referee who awarded a penalty for Beaufort. A succession of Pont penalties allowed the visitors to kick their way into Fraith territory and Pont were pinged again for not supporting body weight while jackaling. Beaufort doubled their lead to 6-0 with another fine kick.

Superb counterucking from Greg Brown won Pont the ball back soon after the restart and debutant flanker Barrie Curtis made ground following a brutal hand off. Pont won a penalty and then the referee marched the visitors back another 10 yards for backchat. Jarrad Hook was then involved in some handbags which seemed to galvanise Pont into action. Flanker Matt Williams made a break from the back of the lineout maul to put Fraith within 5 metres of the line and multiple carries from the forwards inched Pont towards the line before captain Jake Bean crossed the line after a strong carry. Colwill missed the extras to keep the visitors in the lead.

Some good kicking from full back Beal and fly half Colwill gained Pont 40 metres of territory after the teams exchanged multiple kicks.  And after a wayward lineout from Beaufort, the pair combined again to give Pont the lead. A perfectly weighted chip from Colwill saw Beal gather the kick and score under the posts.

Beaufort looked dangerous after the restart and Josh Morrill was yellow carded for an infringement in his own half. Despite being within kicking distance, the men in green opted for the corner. Pont successfully defended two lineouts from 5 metres out and Colwill caught a wayward pass from their backline and cleared up to near halfway.

A well worked patient maul from Friath saw them creep their way 15 metres up the field and Beaufort had no option but to bring it down illegally which saw their prop yellow carded to even the numbers on the field. Pont opted for the scrum 5 metres out but a few phases later were tackled into touch. However, Beaufort failed to take their own lineout cleanly, allowing Pont backer rower Richard Meyrick-Parker to touch the ball down for Ponts third try.

Chudd and Ethan Jones then combined defensively to hold up an attacker and create a maul and turnover Beaufort when the ball was unplayable from the maul.

Half Time: Pontllanfraith 17-6 Beaufort

Shortly after the restart scrum half Andew Deneen was penalised for a dangerous tackle, however on this occasion the Beaufort kicker missed from the tee. The visitors did get the crucial opening score of the second half soon after with a well worked try. Following a trademark big tackle from Brendan Williams, Pont won a penalty in the opponent's half and Andrew Colwill split the posts from the tee to give Pont a two score lead again. Both teams being back up to 15 men was short lived as winger Carlos White was soon yellow carded for a high tackle.

Beaufort’s centre then reduced the deficit after a strong run from the edge of the 22 saw him cross for the away side's second try and shortly after the visitors were over again in the corner to give them a 3 point lead.

A clever kick from Ieaun Rhys Beal put Beaufort under pressure in their own 22 and they knocked the ball on to give Pont a scrum 5 metres out. Replacement scrum half Josh Meacham took full advantage darting over the line for Pont to retake the lead.

Into the final quarter, Ponts scrum was now dominant. Ashton Morgan and Tom Hamers fresh legs in the front row meant Beaufort were struggling to even win their own ball at scrum time and this helped Fraith relieve the pressure numerous times in the final 10 minutes. It was Pont who came closest to scoring again, but a goal line drop out was all they had to show for their efforts.

Full Time: Pontllanfraith 25-23 Beaufort

Close game in the end. Pont seemed to have the upper end in most facets of the game but were on the wrong end of the penalty count. Full credit to the visitors for their part in an entertaining game and pick up their third losing bonus point of the season.

The Pont players came off the field ultimately disappointed with the performance. But to be disappointed after a bonus point win speaks volumes of the expectation and direction of this club under coach Neil Clarke.

Also a big well done to Huw Meyrick and Carlos White for completing Sunday's Cardiff Half Marathon. Apparently Carlos’ 10 minute rest in the sin bin helped him shave minutes off his time over the 13 mile course.