Pontypool Utd 22 Dinas Powys 26

DINAS Powys Under-12s rugby team were on the road again last Sunday when they visited Pontypool Utd.

Dinas got off to a cracking start having received the ball from the kick off, with some powerful running from Tom Davies and James Griffiths, two props who are currently in great form.

The forwards were creating a solid platform with some impressive mauling from Ben Spears, Connor Parsons (Capt) and as usual Evan Halls, under the direction of scrum half Elias Jamieson.

The combined forward efforts led to some slick back play resulting in Ben Harding receiving the ball within his own half and galloping around the Pontypool back line to open the scoring with a try under the posts.

The conversion from Ben White made it 7-0.

Through some determined running and rucking Pontypool scored their first try under the Dinas posts.

With a successful conversion the score was levelled at 7-7. Dinas restarted and immediately responded with some excellent team work.

Forwards and backs were linking well, with second rows, Ashton Allen and Joe Davies, carrying the ball with determination into the Pontypool line and then popping it back to set up the backs.

Fly half Ben White controlled the back line attacks as usual and it wasn't long before he sent right winger, Duke Durham into some space.

With plenty of work to do, Duke took on the Pontypool defence but his pace proved too much for them, allowing him to cross the line in the corner but run unopposed to score under the posts.

Rhys Roberts converted to make it 14-7 to Dinas.

With half time fast approaching Pontypool upped the pace with some strong and direct running, eventually scoring in the corner. The half time score was 14-12 to the visitors.

With the second half of the game under way, both teams maintained the intensity.

Pontypool had the better start when they scored the first try to take the lead for the first time in the game at 17-14.

Fresh legs in the form of Caleb Rowlands proved invaluable as Dinas piled on the pressure which eventually resulted in the Pontypool centres spilling the ball, allowing Rhys Roberts to collect and run a couple of yards for the simplest of tries in the corner.

Pontypool were throwing everything at Dinas but some heroic defence from Kyle Andrews and Stefan Kadach prevented what would have been certain tries.

Lady luck was on the visitors' side especially when Sam Abbot intercepted the ball during a Pontypool backs move and he sprinted more than 40 yards before being caught by the scrambling defence just yards short of the line.

Gareth Huish, Morgan Johnston and Gruff Walton then joined the fray and their presence certainly made an impact for Dinas, as they piled on the pressure for Pontypool with their fresh legs.

This led to that man again, Ben Harding receiving the ball just inside the Pontypool half and he took on the outside defence and beat them, scoring under the posts.

His try was converted by Rhys Roberts and it was 26-17 to Dinas.

Pontypool fought back and managed to score an unconverted try which left the game delicately balanced at 26-22 with only minutes left.

Pontypool picked up the pace and were determined not to lose; they took the game to Dinas and threw everything at them. In the final minutes the home side were camped on the visitors' line; they managed to cross but were held up.

Attack after attack followed but the sheer stubbornness of the Dinas defence prevented any further scoring.

Dinas had fought out a hard earned win over an extremely tough side that hadn't lost in some time.