Pontypridd Match Report – 14-03

Ebbw ended their away trips for the season with a frustrating 14-3 loss to Pontypridd. Both teams struggled to get the game flowing with many handling errors and turnovers creating an open game from the off.

Despite a scrum that crumbled and a lineout that, for both sides, went either way at times, Ebbw got on the scoreboard first through the boot of Evan Lloyd. 

It was to be the only score of the first half that saw an electric crowd in fine voice.

The second half started to turn as Ponty applied the pressure up front. Four yellow cards for the Steelmen made it difficult to make any progress and two penalty tries as a result of a reversing scrum inside our own 22 was the major difference maker.

The result pushed Ponty up to fourth whilst Ebbw languish down in tenth with one game to play on Wednesday night against Bridgend.

Despite the result the visiting crowd made sure to show their colours and make their voices heard.

“I thought it was a poor standard, both teams were very loose and it felt like a pre-season game. Neither side were accurate and ultimately out of two poor teams their set piece won them the game,” said Jason after the game.

“You can’t do a lot about the scrums, it’s out of your control really. There’s lots of things I can control but pushing in scrums isn’t my forte. As a general pack we’ve been going well recently, but Ponty did the job on us and we need to rebuild over the summer along with other things. Without a set piece you don’t win games.

“I thought we had the three best players on the field in Alex Howe, Dan Hill and Daf Howells, but if you’re going backwards and living off scraps it doesn’t make much of a difference. We need players to be more consistent in doing their main job.”