Having been disappointed narrowly losing their first game by one score,
Gwent Under 12s had their point to prove. With a good squad attitude
developing during training everyone keen to achieve a better result an
extra training session was held prior to this game. Everyone attended
and performed well making the team selection even harder.
On the night, a cool Friday evening under lights at Tredegar, Gwent even
arriving and warming up looked the more organised and disciplined.
This continued throughout the game. Doing the majority of the attacking
in the first half Gwent were camped in the Pontypridd half. Good
defensive display when Ponty were in possession kept them pinned back.
Only twice did they get into the Gwent half.
In the second half Gwent continued to improve. Pontypridd made some
changes which disrupted their flow even more, Gwent also made changes to
give all the players a chance. However Gwent's performance didn't
suffer, Ashley Gibson was the first to profit from the changes coming on
in the second row, he went over for the first try only having been on
for about three minutes. Owain Leonard stepped up and converted for the
extra points.
Moving Owen Thomas back to his preferred 10 slot Gwent then went from
strength to strength, attacking at every opportunity, everyone making
ground at will. With good forward support and clearing out at the
breakdowns gaps opened up around the fringes.
Jermaine Taylor exploited this, picking up at the base and accelerating
through these gaps. This support play gained Jermaine two trys.
Powerful forward play in the tight saw the likes of Owen Hughes
(Captain) stealing plenty of ball. Driving through the rucks and mauls
brought Davide Rubansnaik a further two trys.
Owain Leonard coming off in the second half to give Cory Lewis a run at
scrum half surrendered the kicking duties to Ben Watkins. Ben converted
another brace of trys
A huge defensive effort prevented Pontypridd scoring. This effort was
lead by man of the match MJ Baker on his debut, stopping Ponty's no 12,
their only real attacking runner.
The game finished Gwent Under 12s 31 - 0 Pontypridd District Under 12s
We now look forward to the next game against the Heart of Wales.
