Ponty lose at the death in first pre-season outing
Pontypridd went down to a 27pts to 33 home defeat against Premiership rivals Newport in their first pre-season outing on Saturday 10th August, conceding the result right at the death.
Fielding a squad containing a mix of familiar names, new signings, trialists and former youth players, and making numerous changes as the game progressed, Ponty had an experimental look in facing the Black and Ambers.
The visitors took an early lead as back rower Kyle Taylor went over from close range, his try converted by Haydn Simmonds, but Ponty striking back as Morgan Sienawski crossed out wide, then early replacement Tom Rowlands claiming a score, converted by Ben Jones at the end of the first quarter.
Another converted Newport try was cancelled out as debutant centre Ryan Davies touched down, and the home lead extended to 22pts to 14 just before the interval as winger Dale Stuckey crossed following a Lloyd Rowlands break.
Seven minutes into the second period Newport reclaimed a narrow lead as winger Ryan Gardner scored an interception try, converted by Simmonds, but sustained Ponty pressure then allowing scrum half Tom Rowlands to burrow over for his second try of a windswept afternoon. The Black and Ambers seemed more composed against a much changed Ponty line-up and claimed two late scores to seal their victory, the decisive try touched down and converted by Simmonds in injury time.
Pontypridd:
15.Lloyd Rowlands / Bailey Roberts. 14.Alex Webber / Lewis Attwood. 13.Ryan Davies / Ieuan Smith. 12.Corey Sheppard / Rhys Morgan. 11.Dale Stuckey / Rhodri Smith. 10.Ben Jones / Diggy Bird / Lewis Williams. 9.Joel Raikes / Tom Rowlands.
1.Ben Stevens / Huw Owen / Tarian Emmanuel. 2.Nathan Huish / Ben Parry. 3.Curtis Hicks / Morgan Bosanko / Curtis Reynolds. 4.James Murphy / Steffan Jones. 5.Lloyd Evans / Sam Kiley. 6.Sean Moore / Rhys Shellard. 7.Morgan Sieniawski / Sion Parry. 8.Kristian Parker / Garrick Legge.
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