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CARDIFF SARACENS v PONTRHYDYFEN 17TH OCTOBER
After the diversion of the SWALEC Bowl last week, it was back to the nitty gritty of the league for the Sarries. A beautiful, autumnal afternoon greeted both teams and a decent sized crowd as they took to the field. With neither side registering a win so far this season and occupying the basement of Division 6, this match had all the cliches must win, eight pointer, season defining.
For the first period, the significance of the fixture was evident as both sides struggled to impose themselves. First blood went to Pontrhydyfen after 10 minutes, when their centre struck a beautiful penalty from 45 metres.
The next 15 minutes consisted of a battle for possession between the 22s with neither side gaining ascendancy. After this the Sarries seemed to up their game and enjoyed the majority of possession and camped in the Ponty half.
All this pressure was bound to tell and after 3 penalties conceded in their 22, in quick succession, Ponty had a man sent to the bin. From this penalty, just to the left of the posts, the Sarries elected to take the points on offer and Craig Davies bisected the uprights after 30 minutes.
The Sarries continued to enjoy the better in terms of territory for the remainder of the half but no further points were added
HALF TIME CARDIFF SARACENS 3 PONTRHYDYFEN 3
3 minutes into the second half disaster struck for the Sarries. There appeared to be nothing on as a Ponty attack meandered across the pitch around their 10 metre line. However, an injection of pace was provided from one of the Ponty centres, albeit still running across the pitch.
Missed tackles allowed him to straighten up and some slick passing allowed Ponty to cross out wide on the left. A superbly struck kick added the extras. 3 10
This stung the Sarries in to action as they poured into the Ponty half. As they turned up the heat Ponty were forced to concede a penalty on 50 minutes and Craig Davies added another 3 points. 6 10
Sarries tails were really up now and they ran straight back at Ponty from the kick off. No. 8 Martin Davey straightened the line and drew the defence to him. This freed winger Matt Vaughan on the outside and Davey passed out to him. As Vaughan steamed up the touchline Davey, as a good loose forward should, continued in support to receive the pass back inside as Vaughan off loaded just before the tackle. With 20 metres to go Davey put his head down and scored just to the left of the upright, Craig Davies adding the extras. 13 10
It was imperative that the Sarries kept the foot on the accelerator now and they did precisely this. They were aided by a yellow card on 60 minutes, for the Ponty No 8 who had run over to punch Sarries captain Paul Spunky Seaman after he had been bundled in to touch. From the resulting penalty a magnificent touchfinder from Craig Davies gave the Sarries a lineout 5 metres out. Great work from the Ponty jumpers meant the opportunity appeared to have gone as they stole the ball. However, from the resulting maul the Sarries secured a turnover and this allowed veteran warhorse and second row Martin Longman to plunge over 5 metres in from touch to increase the Sarries advantage. Despite striking the conversion attempt well, Craig Davies was, on this occasion unable to add the extra 2 points, 18 10
With the Sarries now in total control and playing something like the rugby they played last season. On the 67 minute mark, a series of rucks around halfway sucked more Ponty defends away from the touchline creating space out wide. When and opportunity like this comes along there was only one thing to do and the Sarries did it. The ball was put through hands quickly and accurately to winger Matt Vaughan. With only the covering defender to beat, it was an unfair contest as Vaughan blazed passed him to score at the posts. Craig Davies once again added the extras 25 10
With 13 minutes left the Sarries were looking for the bonuspoint try. Their cause was not helped when replacement prop Bryn Morgan was yellow carded after come around the side at a ruck 40 metres out from the Sarries line. A number of times the Sarries came close only to be pulled back for infringements.
The last meaningful action of the game saw the Ponty flanker receive a yellow card for a swinging arm. As this was his 2nd of the game, it was accompanied by red
So a win at last for the Sarries, who may be a little disappointed they did not get the bonus point. A very tough away game next week at Cambrian Welfare holders of the
Worthington Welsh Districts Cup
FINAL SCORE, CARDIFF SARACENS 25 PONTRHYDYFEN 10
TRIES Martin Davey, Martin Longman, Matt Vaughan
CON Craig Davies 2
PENS Craig Davies 2
MOTM Martin Longman
TOTM Ian Hammett
NEXT FIXTURE WRU SWALEC Division 6 Central Cambrian Welfare Away