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Two for Summerhill in Ponty romp

Two for Summerhill in Ponty romp

Premiership leaders Pontypridd maintained their impressive run of form, running in seven tries in a convincing British & Irish Cup win over Jersey on Friday night.

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With neither side able to qualify for the quarter finals which also took place last weekend, both teams made a raft of changes. 

For Pontypridd, head coach Dale McIntosh rested a number of usual starters, giving younger players the chance to impress. One of those was Blues Academy man Aled Summerhill who grabbed his chance with both hands, crossing twice in the 48-17 win.

Joel Dudley and Talite Vaoileti had crossed for two early tries for Jersey but scores from Matthew Nuthall, Jack Dando and Summerhill meant the home side led 22-10 at the break.

And McIntosh’s side pulled clear after half time as Owen Sheppeard, Gareth Wyatt, Summerhill again and Bradley Thyer all went over.

James Copsey crossed for Jersey late on but it had no impact on the final score.

Earlier, the visitors had started with a bang, sending scrum half Dudley over for an early try. Pontypridd were struggling to get going but they weren’t behind for long, winger Nuthall crossing for a try converted by outside half Dai Flanagan.

The game was free flowing and end to end, Jersey next on the offensive and putting No. 8 Vaioleti over for a try in the corner. Flanagan responded with a penalty after 22 minutes and was then on hand to convert Dando’s try.

The score seemed to release the pressure on the home side and they added another before the break, some fine phases of support play putting debutant full back Summerhill over for a corner flag try.

The scoring continued at the start of the second period, No. 8 Sheppeard breaking through for a try under the posts which Flanagan again converted. Flanker Tom Hetherington was then yellow carded but it failed to halt the momentum of the Premiership leaders.

Cory Hill broke clear and deftly off-loaded to full back Summerhill who raced in for his second while soon after Wyatt collected a Flanagan cross kick for Pontypridd’s sixth try. The fly-half converted both scores.

With the home team brimming with confidence, Flanagan hoisted up another huge cross kick, prop Thyer collecting for the final home score.

Copsey crossed for a late consolation score but Pontypridd’s winning run shows no sign of ending.

In the other British & Irish Cup pool game to take place, Bridgend were on the wrong end of a home defeat to Ulster at the Brewery Field.

Three quick scores saw the Irish side move out of sight. Tom Grabham responded for the Welsh side but Ulster led 33-7 at the break after adding two more tries.

Ashley James crossed for Bridgend after half time but the class of Ulster meant they eventually secured a 14-40 win.

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