Pontllanfraith hosted Malpas in a league encounter at the welfare ground. Despite being winless, Malpas would travel with a highly committed, spirited team that proved to be a difficult task for the home side.
Pont received the kick off and immediately worked their way into Malpas territory for the opening 10 minutes of the game, but the Malpas defence held strong. The visitors then opened the scoring against the run of play. From their own scrum just outside their 22, their scrum half dissected the Pont back 3 with a perfectly judged kick off the outside of his boot. The Malpas winger got the ball first and kicked the ball on again for the Malpas scrum half to touch the ball down over the line and finish the move he started. Pont re-gathered their own kick off, but every time the boys in blue got into the opponents 22, a mistake or indiscipline thwarted them. A great last ditch tackle denied Lewys Tovey a try before the pressure eventually lead to the opening try for Ieuan Rhys Beal. Straight from the restart Pont gifted Malpas a penalty but the kick at goal drifted wide. Number 8 Jake Bean then crossed from close range to put Pont in front after a dominant driving maul gave Pont good territory. After winning a scrum against the head, Pont looked set to counter attack only for Lee Butcher to throw an inception which lead to Malpas scoring under the posts.
HT: Pontllanfraith 10-12 Malpas
The second half continued in a similar fashion to the first half, with Pont’s dominant set piece allowing them the majority of territory and possession. Pont looked to have added a third when some silky skills from Beal looked to have put full back Tyler Jones over in the corner, only for him to drop the ball as he crossed the line. Captain Nathan Meyrick did eventually bag the third try moments later after a delightful no look pass from Lee Butcher (After his first half interception, we had our eyes closed aswell). The bonus point try came after Ieuan Rhys Beal produced an inch perfect kick to leave the opposition full back fielding the ball 1 meter short of his own try line and from the ensuing ruck, the ball popped out the side for Beal to scoop it up and score his second of the game. Second half substitute Luke Eatwell was then sin binned for hand bags but the remaining 15 minutes of the game was scrappy and scoreless.
FT: Pontllanfraith 20-12 Malpas
The win sees Pontllanfraith well clear of the relegation fight and firmly established in mid table. Pont travel to local rivals Hollybush next weekend with having narrowly lost the reverse fixture earlier in the season. Special mention to Andrew Deneen for making his 100th appearance for the club and hopefully the injury sustained in the second half isn’t too bad.
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