Narberth 21-14 Pontypridd – Match Report

Pontypridd made the long trip out west with a depleted squad but in the hope of consolidating their status as Premiership leaders. They had to return home however despondent having conceded a costly defeat to hosts Narberth by 21pts to 14 following a hard fought, sometimes dour encounter.

Both sides enjoyed periods of early possession but without threatening either try line, largely cancelling each other out, with plenty of huff and puff but little sign of blowing any houses down. Ponty pressed hard into home territory, going close from a line-out drive then playing through numerous phases from an ensuing scrum but all to no avail. The visitors then launched a speculative kick and chase foray wide out, setting up camp in their opponents’ twenty-two and were finally rewarded for their persistence after taking a quick free-kick, putting full back Rhodri Smith over for a try which Jaydan Pugh converted.

Stealing opposition line-out ball, Ponty continued in the ascendancy but Narberth then, having soaked up considerable pressure, able to counter. The Otters kicked for territory and from an attacking scrum saw centre Ilan Phillips sniping over for a try which outside half Jonathan Rogers converted from in front of the posts. Ponty responded by once more patiently playing through the phases only for a stubborn home defence to wrestle a turnover to clear, the interval scoreline staying all square, 7pts apiece.

HALF TIME: Narberth 7-7 Pontypridd

The game continued into its second period, full blooded with hard carries and tackles made by both sides. Ponty were enjoying a lion’s share of possession, winger Dale Stuckey instigating a dynamic attack, then after the ball was recycled, finishing the move off with a try which Jaydan Pugh converted from the touchline. Stuckey was again prominent in claiming a high ball to keep his side on the front foot, harassing the home defence into making mistakes, but a  quick tap penalty taken by Joel Raikes coming to nothing. Narberth were able to counter from deep to relieve the pressure, kicking penalties into touch, then whipping the ball out for full back Ashley Sutton to cross from close range, the score improved by Rogers’ conversion.

The contest was once more at a stalemate going into its final quarter, morphing into a dogfight for supremacy in the murk and the mud. The home team kept a grip on  possession and were rewarded as winger Osian Hill darted over for an opportunist try which Rogers again converted. A lengthy and worrying injury delay ensued following which Ponty fly-half Jaydan Pugh was stretchered off, and as play resumed, the visitors gamely resuming on the attack, awarded a series of penalties deep in their opponents’ territory, driving hard towards the try-line but unable to break a resolute home defence. Ponty were now playing against the clock, but time again put on hold due to another lengthy injury, this time to replacement Jorge Lucey. Deep into extended injury time Ponty threw everything into a last gasp attack, replacement Lloyd Dennett crossing wide out but the score chalked off for a forward pass, allowing Narberth to hold on to their hard fought victory by 21pts to 14.

FULL TIME: Narberth 21-14  Pontypridd

Match Report – Guto Davies (10/1/2026)

NARBERTH:

15.Ashley Sutton. 14.Harry Fuller. 13.Ilan Phillips (Dean James). 12.Ryan Davies. 11.Osian Hill. 10.Jonathan Rogers. 9.Josh Thomas.

1.Tomos Richardson (George Rossiter). 2.Tom Clarke (Kyle Hamer). 3.Ryan Rees (Tom Slater). 4.Sam Martin (Caleb Salmon). 5.Gruff Evans. 6.Evan Sheldon (Kieran Allen). 7.Tom Powell (c). 8.Roy Osborn.

Subs: 16.Kyle Hamer. 17.George Rossiter. 18.Tom Slater. 19.Kieran Allen. 20.Caleb Salmon. 21.Nico Setaro. 22.Dean James. 23.Brad Cramb.

Tries: Ilan Phillips (31); Ashley Sutton (57); Osian Hill (65)

Cons: Jonathan Rogers (31, 58, 66)                                                  

PONTYPRIDD:

15.Rhodri Smith. 14.Iwan Griffith (Jorge Lucey / Stuart Floyd-Ellis). 13.Stuart Floyd-Ellis (Lloyd Dennett). 12.Cally James (c). 11.Dale Stuckey. 10.Jaydan Pugh (Charlie Hancock). 9.Joel Raikes.

1.Ben Drew (Cameron Taylor-Grocott). 2.Connah Hughes (Louis Tovey). 3.Kian Mattravers (Ellis Fackrell). 4.Mitch Barnard (Joe Buckle). 5.Lloyd Riley (Ethan Evans). 6.Cai James. 7.Jordan Coxley. 8.Joe Miles.

Subs: 16.Louis Tovey. 17.Cameron Taylor-Grocott. 18.Ellis Fackrell. 19.Joe Buckle. 20.Ethan Evans. 21.Lloyd Dennett. 22.Jorge Lucey. 23.Charlie Hancock.

Tries: Rhodri Smith (21); Dale Stuckey (45)

Cons: Jaydan Pugh (22, 46)                                              

Referee:  Matthew Leon           AR3: Gareth Daniel

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