Cardiff Met 13-29 Pontypridd – Match Report

Pontypridd travelled to Cyncoed with the aim of securing vital league points, also a first trophy of the season in the form of the John Pugh Memorial Shield. It was mission accomplished on both counts courtesy of a 13pts to 29 victory.

The visitors wrestled a turnover then scrummaged strongly to advance early on, putting width on the ball through numerous phases only to be undone by a malfunctioning line-out. Continuing to get the better of both possession and territory Ponty instigated a midfield attack, Joel Raikes providing the scoring pass to hooker Louis Tovey, whose try was converted by Rhodri Smith from in front of the posts. The Met responded with a wide attack but were forced into touch, then taking a free kick followed by a series of charges to go close to scoring. Ponty resumed in forward gear after charging down a clearance kick, a strong scrum providing the platform for Mitch Barnard to gallop ahead, Rhodri Smith up in support to cross wide out. The visitors continued to battle for turnovers with the back row trio of Harris, Miles and James all hitting the gain line, winger Louis Rochefort-Shugar then setting off on a mazy sprint to the line, the score again unconverted.

The students seized on a spilled ball to attack, with Ponty skipper Joe Miles yellow carded for offending in defence and the host team in turn profiting from a line-out drive as hooker Jamie Longyear claimed a touchdown which was improved by Ross McKay’s conversion. The Met remained in contention from a turnover, a period of pressure converted into points as McKay stroked over a mid-distance penalty. The students, with the referee’s decisions largely in their favour, were in the ascendancy but a cross kick, then a high kick foray both proving unsuccessful. It was another big scrum that finally gave Ponty momentum to advance, recycling possession and shipping the ball wide for lively back rower Cai James to cross for the bonus point try near the corner flag, registering an interval scoreline of 10pts to 22.

HALF TIME: Cardiff Met 10-22 Pontypridd

Cardiff Met saw plenty of the ball as the second period commenced, with penalty awards still going their way,  but the visitors’ defence holding firm, bundling a Met attack into touch just short of the line. Setting a solid forward platform Ponty were able to make their way back upfield only to be undone by a costly handling error, typical of a scrappy period of play with the game struggling to achieve momentum during a scoreless third quarter. It was another Ross McKay penalty that eventually broke the deadlock just past the hour mark, the contest remaining close fought and often blighted by errors.

Ponty at last injected some much needed urgency into their play with a series of back line moves, back and fore, and were duly rewarded as the livewire Joel Raikes darted over for a try which was goaled by Rhodri Smith. Despite losing their own line-out ball and with replacement Ioan Davies carrying well the visitors remained in forward gear, a hard drive held up with the try line in sight. Into the final ten minutes of play the students were next up on the attack, a line-out drive and a wide foray both going close. The Ponty defence however held firm then countered from a midfield interception, holding out for a well earned bonus point win by 13pts to 29.

FULL TIME: Cardiff Met 13-29 Pontypridd

Match Report – Guto Davies (4/4/2026)

CARDIFF MET:

15.Ryan Williams. 14.Toby Lock (Gethyn Hunter). 13.Theo Povey. 12.Adam Whalley. 11.Tom Weekley. 10.Ross McKay (Sam Berry). 9.Archie Lloyd (Carwyn Edwards).

1.Will Pearce (Dylan Barratt). 2.Jamie Longyear (Taylor Coles). 3.Alex Wakefield (Sion Hill). 4.Ryan Cozens (Alfie Blackett). 5.Charlie Bedford. 6.Sam Bryan (c). 7.Cerith Davies. 8.Ben Thrift.

Subs: 16.Taylor Coles. 17.Dylan Barratt. 18.Sion Hill. 19.Alfie Blackett. 20.Eldon Craven. 21.Carwyn Edwards. 22.Sam Berry. 23.Gethyn Hunter.

Tries: Jamie Longyear (23)

Cons: Ross McKay (24)

Pens: Ross McKay (28, 62)                                                                                                                                                   

PONTYPRIDD:

15.Rhodri Smith. 14.Louis Rochefort-Shugar. 13.Stuart Floyd-Ellis (Callum Coxley). 12.Tommy Morgan. 11.Joe Davies. 10.Jorge Lucey (Oli Shepherd). 9.Joel Raikes (Lloyd Dennett).

1.Ben Drew (Dan Cotterell). 2.Louis Tovey (Connah Hughes). 3.Kian Mattravers (Finian Murray). 4.Mitch Barnard (Ioan Davies). 5.Lloyd Riley. 6.Iestyn Harris (Ben Bora). 7.Cai James. 8.Joe Miles (c).

Subs: 16.Connah Hughes. 17.Dan Cotterell. 18.Finian Murray. 19.Ioan Davies. 20.Ben Bora. 21.Lloyd Dennett. 22.Callum Coxley. 23.Oli Shepherd.

Tries: Louis Tovey (9); Rhodri Smith (17); Louis Rochefort-Shugar (19); Cai James (39); Joel Raikes (67)

Cons: Rhodri Smith (10, 67)

Yellow Cards: Joe Miles (22)                                                                                                                         

Referee:  Paddy Bateman                AR3: Peter Mortimer

The post Cardiff Met 13-29 Pontypridd – Match Report appeared first on Pontypridd-RFC.