Bridgend XV 21 Pontypridd XV 19

Saturday April 24th

This was a very entertaining game played on a wide, hard pitch in perfect weather. Both teams fielded a mixture a mixture of A & B players; omitting their East/West Wales players.- Pontypridd's team included seven U/10's who will be available for next season.
Pontypridd had the better of the first half and led 19-7 after tries by Dylan Hughes, Dewi Matthews and Dewi Cross; two of which were converted by Dewi Cross.
Whilst the whole team put in a very good performance they were unlucky to lose to a Bridgend side that utilised their pace out wide in the second half.
There were many excellent individual performances which will give the coaches a nice selection headache before next week's semi-final match against Vale of Glamorgan.
Team; 1 Evan Holmes, 2 Liam Dando, 3 Jay Jones, 4 Liam Malkin, 5 Tyler Morgan, 6 Jack Archer, 7 Dafydd Smith, 8 Dewi Matthews, 9 Steele Quirke, 10 Dewi Cross, 11 George Harris, 12 Rhodri Smith,(captain)13 Dylan Hughes, 14 Ben Evans, 15 Dafydd LLoyd, 16 Sean Grainger, 17 Dion Mota, 18 Calyde Mullock, 19 Daniel Coles.

Pontypridd 17 Cynon Valley 0

Saturday 17th April
DC Thomas Plate Quarter Final
PSRU U/11 travelled to Abercwmboi RFC to play our near neighbours in the Plate Quarter Final. The fine weather was matched by the opulent facilities of the home club!
The game was keenly contested and much closer than the score line suggests. Despite having the majority of territory and possession in the first half, resolute defence from Cynon Valley restricted PSRU to a single try, scored by winger Ben Evans.
In the second half Pontypridd’s defence was tested time and again by the Cynon Valley team and that we protected our line under great pressure speaks volumes for the commitment of the whole team. Whilst our captain Gruffydd Lloyd once again had an outstanding game; the whole Pontypridd squad contributed to the victory, with every player tackling and pressurising their counterparts in defence.
Alun Lawrence was prominent in attack, as were our midfield quartet of Dewi Cross, Rhodri Smith, Jack Smith and Steele Quirke. Hooker Liam Beere scored our second try finishing off a sustained attack, converted by Rhodri Smith. This was followed by a late solo effort from scrum half Carl Blacker (converted by Dewi Cross)-which capped an excellent display from our East Wales number nine and sealed the victory.
The match was a great advert for U/11 District Rugby and both teams can be proud of their performances and their contribution to the game.
Pontypridd will play the winners of Bridgend and Vale of Glamorgan in the semi-final.
TEAM; 1 Liam Malkin (Liam Dando) 2 Liam Beere 3 Callum Hall 4 Alun Lawrence 5 Jack Archer (Tyler Morgan) 6 Iwan Cavil 7 Dafydd Smith (Dewi Matthews) 8 Gruffydd Lloyd 9 Carl Blacker 10 Dewi Cross 11 George Harris 12 Jac Smith 13 Rhodri Smith 14 Ben Evans (Dylan Hughes) 15 Steele Quirke
SCORERS; Tries; Ben Evans, Liam Beere & Carl Blacker. Conversions; Rhodri Smith & Dewi Cross

Pontypridd XV 7 Newport XV 41

Thursday March 27th

Both teams fielded a mixture a mixture of A & B players; leaving out their eight East Wales final triallists. With five of our A team pack in the East Wales squads, this favoured the Newport team whose pack were stronger and in the wet slippery conditions dominated the game from the start.
There was some good play individually from the home team, which included nine Year Five players, but on the whole there is much room for improvement, particularly in defence, where we allowed Newport too much time and freedom to run.
Dewi Cross was Pontypridd's only scorer when he converted his own try with the last move of the match.
Team; 1 Evan Holmes, 2 Liam Dando, 3 Sean Grainger, 4 Liam Malkin, 5 Jack Archer, 6 Dion Mota, 7 Dafydd Smith, 8 Dewi Matthews, 9 Daniel Coles, 10 Dewi Cross, 11 George Harris, 12 Jac Smith,(captain)13 Louis Baker, 14 Dylan Hughes, 15 Dafydd LLoyd, 16 Tyler Morgan, 17 Aneurin Wlaker, 18 Calyde Mullock.

South Powys 10 Pontypridd 34

Saturday 6th March
PSRU REACH SEMI-FINALS OF THE DC THOMAS PLATE COMPETITION

PSRU U/11's travelled to Brecon to take on South Powys in the Quarter Final of the DC Thomas Plate Competition.
Despite enjoying most of the early territory and possession we found ourselves 5-0 and then 10-7 down to a courageous South Powys team which had efficiently defended our attempted wide attacks and utilised their pace behind the scrum to score two break-away tries.
A change of attacking options coupled with an improved blitz defence proved to be the game winning tactics. Direct gain line breaking runs from Jac Smith, Steele Quirke and Rhodri Smith in midfield and sniping runs from scrum half Carl Blacker opened up the South Powys defence. Winger Ben Evans, scored one of our six tries, the first two of which were converted by Dewi Cross.
Whilst our backs provided the initial line breaks it was the play of the forwards led by captain Gruffydd Lloyd that clinched the tie. The whole pack can be commended for their support play, commitment and persistence. Three tries from Alun Lawrence, one from Gruff and a final try from Keillan Mahoney sealed the victory for Pontypridd.
South Powys will look forward with optimism to the Bowl Competition whilst Pontypridd await the winners of the Dinefwr/Cynon Valley tie in the semi-finals.
TEAM; 1 Callum Hall (Jack Archer) 2 Liam Beere (Liam Dando) 3 Jay Jones 4 Alun Lawrence 5 Matthew Wilmot 6 Iwan Cavil (Keillan Mahoney) 7 Dafydd Smith (Liam Malkin) 8 Gruffydd Lloyd 9 Carl Blacker 10 Rhodri Smith 11 George Harris 12 Jac Smith 13 Dewi Cross 14 Ben Evans (Dylan Hughes) 15 Steele Quirke
SCORERS Alun Lawrence 3 tries, Grufydd Lloyd, Ben Evans, Keillan Mahoney 1 try, Dewi Cross 2 conversions.

Newport 'B' 12 Pontypridd 'B'/DEVELOPMENT TEAM 5

Thursday 4th March

A depleted Pontypridd team travelled to Pil Harriers RFC to play Newport District 'B' team. Liam Malkin was the sole try scorer for Pontypridd.
Disappointingly only one of the seven selected players who failed to turn up texted Mr. Stokes and we had to borrow two home players to make our fifteen.
TEAM; 1 Shaun Grainger 2 Liam Dando 3 (A N Other) 4 Liam Malkin 5 Dion Mota 6 Jack Archer 7 Keillan Mahoney 8 (A N Other) 9 Aneurin Walker 10 Arwel Powell 11 Daniel Coles 12 Dylan Hughes 13 Louis Baker 14 Calyde Mullock 15 Dafydd Lloyd
SCORER Liam Malkin 1 try