Ponty snatch win over Caerphilly

Caerphilly 15 Pontypridd 17

Pontypridd snatched a winning try in the fifth minute of injury-time of this hard-fought Welsh Premier league battle.

The never-say-die visitors forced a scrum near the home line and hooker Matthew Rees scratched from a pile of bodies to grab the vital touchdown and Neil Jenkins duly kicked a short-range conversion to break Caerphilly hearts.

But the home side could, and should, have won. Outside-half Justin Thomas failed with a simple penalty attempt in the 74th minute which would have put his team two scores in front.

Inside-half Paul John was Ponty’s other tryscorer while Jenkins also popped over another conversion and a great 50metre penalty goal.

Lock Darren Davies and full-back Ryan Davies crossed for the Caerphilly tries while Thomas kicked a penalty and a conversion.

Caerphilly, who will play in next week’s Parker Pen Shield final, were making their final appearance in the top flight before Welsh rugby is reorganised into regional teams.

They were determined to keep their noses in front of fellow basement club Ebbw Vale in the division, even if the difference was based on a superior try count.

With the wind and rain behind them from the kick-off, the Cheesemen knew they had to rattle as many points as possible before the interval but they could manage just one try.

Midway through the first half, the home side forced a line-out near the Pontypridd line and Davies powered over for an unconverted try.

They had several other opportunities just before the interval to increase their lead and they will certainly rue that Thomas penalty miss which really cost them victory.