Pontypridd 43-31 Cross Keys – Match Report
Pontypridd returned to Sardis Road after two tough matches on the road and made it a happy homecoming with a bonus point win under the Friday night lights at Sardis Road, but one which was hard fought against a resilient Cross Keys side.
The game got underway in tricky conditions with a dusting of snow on the 3G pitch. Ponty worked their way to the opposition line but were held up and penalised at an ensuing line-out. The Keys responded by advancing off the back of a number of penalty awards in their favour but were themselves held up from a line-out drive. The breakthrough came for the visitors as winger Ralph Miller set off on a jinking run to cross for a try which outside half Rhys Jones converted.
Cross Keys were kicking effectively for field position and Ponty’s cause not helped by a faltering line-out. The Gwent side struck again from a wide attack as Miller arced in for a second try, converted by Jones from in front of the posts. Dominating territory, the visitors further extended their lead as Miller claimed his hat-trick of touchdowns after fielding a big cross-field kick to score out wide.
Tensions built up to a fracas between the opposing packs as the game moved into its second quarter, with Keys lock Callum Hague yellow carded for his contribution. Ponty at last built up some momentum through a line-out drive and a dynamic break from full back Dale Stuckey, the ball shipped wide for prop Morgan Bosanko to score, his try going unconverted. The home side were striving to move up a gear but too often thwarted by handling errors. A breakthrough came after a wide attack and a line-out drive culminating in centre Ioan Evans powering over for a try which outside half Jaydan Pugh converted, trimming Ponty’s deficit to 12pts to 19 at the interval.
HALF TIME – Pontypridd 12-19 Cross Keys
Pontypridd resumed on the offensive as play resumed with Jaydan Pugh making a neat half break and scrum half Lucus Welch taking a quick tap penalty but handling errors again proving costly. The Keys responded with a phase of attack but were held up short, the contest remaining close fought and sometimes fractious with tempers simmering despite the arctic conditions.
The stalemate was broken as Ponty winger Joe Davies set off on a barnstorming run to cross for a try which Jaydan Pugh converted on the hour mark. The home side struck again as replacement scrum half Joel Raikes charged down a clearance kick, centre Ioan Evans on hand to claim a touchdown with Pugh again adding the extras. A quickfire treble for Ponty was completed as Joe Davies gathered a loose bouncing ball to cross for his second try, with Pugh converting to put his side 33pts to 19 ahead. Ponty now had the bit between their teeth playing through numerous phases and were rewarded as Ioan Evans crossed for his hat-trick touchdown which was converted by Pugh.
A shell-shocked Cross Keys regrouped and shunted over from close range with lock Harvey Reader claiming a try which replacement Elliott Martin-Drew converted. Working off a strong scrum Ponty were next to advance, setting up a series of drives but eventually settling for a penalty at goal which Jaydan Pugh successfully kicked. With Ponty lock Kristian Parker dispatched to the sin-bin it was the Keys who had the last word, replacement hooker Nathan Huish burrowing over for a consolation try. The bonus point win had however already been sealed for Pontypridd by 43pts to 31.
FULL TIME – Pontypridd 43-31 Cross Keys (7/2/2025)
Match report – Guto Davies
PONTYPRIDD –
15. Dale Stuckey (Jacob Symes). 14. Joe Davies (George Thorrington). 13. Ioan Evans. 12. Sam Matthews. 11. Louis Rochefort-Shugar (Oli Shepherd). 10. Jaydan Pugh. 9. Lucus Welch (Joel Raikes).
1. Ben Stephens (Ben Drew). 2. Jeff Young (Dylan Kelly). 3. Morgan Bosanko (Kian Mattravers). 4. Mitch Barnard. 5. Ieuan Davies. 6. Kristian Parker. 7. Cally James (c) (Rhys Emmott). 8. Lloyd Riley.
Subs: 16. Dylan Kelly. 17. Ben Drew. 18. Kian Mattravers. 19. Rhys Emmott. 20. George Thorrington. 21. Joel Raikes. 22. Jacob Symes. 23. Oli Shepherd.
Tries: Morgan Bosanko, Ioan Evans x 3, Joe Davies x 2
Conversions: Jaydan Pugh x 5
Penalty: Jaydan Pugh
Yellow Card: Kristian Parker
CROSS KEYS –
15. Ben Roberts (Adam Tetley). 14. Ralph Miller. 13. Tom Sullivan. 12. Duan Thomas (Elliott Martin-Drew). 11. Lawrence Donnelly. 10. Rhys Jones (Louis Pullen). 9. Tom Bridge (Josh Harbour).
1. Jake Wisniewski. 2. Connah Vaughan (Nathan Huish). 3. Tom Burnham (Richard Cornock). 4. Callum Hague. 5. Harvey Reader. 6. Jake Davies (Sam Llewellyn). 7. Will Morgan. 8. Corey Nicholls (c).
Subs: 16. Nathan Huish. 17. Jack Lock. 18. Richard Cornock. 19. Sam Llewellyn. 20. Louis Pullen. 21. Elliott Martin-Drew. 22. Josh Harbour. 23. Adam Tetley.
Tries: Ralph Miller x 3, Harvey Reader, Nathan Huish
Conversions: Rhys Jones x 2, Elliott Martin-Drew
Yellow Card: Callum Hague
Referee: Cai Lewis
Assistant Referee/Third Official: Tony Davies
Golden Bob Man of the Match: Joe Davies
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