Pontypridd Youth started the match well with their well drilled pack dominating possession. Following a sustained period of pressure Pontypridd Youth took the lead when captain Rhodri Smith, kicked a penalty.
That score broke the shackles and Bridgend Athletic Youth came into the match with a series of good combined moves. After a kick to the corner Bridgend Athletic gained their reward for some enterprising play when prop Morgan Clemett barged his way over from short range to give the Bridgend team the lead, 5-3.
The match was evenly contested and Smith kicked a second penalty that regained the lead for the Sardis Road outfit. With half time approaching and following an excellent Bridgend attack, Caine Woolerton was held up over the Ponty line to retrict their rivals to a slender 6-5 lead at half time.
Early in the second half a brilliant try by Carl Blacker gave Pontypridd an extended lead that they would not lose. Smith kicked the conversion.
A second excellent try for Pontypridd Youth by centre Ioan Evans and another Smith conversion cemented Ponty’s lead to 20-5. With another Smith penalty that lead grew further to 23-5 and Ponty looked secure.
Bridgend Athletic Youth had other ideas as they upped their game with swift No 8 Will Barraclough scoring a try under the posts which scrum half Matthew Hobby converted.
Despite straining every sinew Bridgend Athletic Youth could make no further impression on Pontypridd Youth. With their powerful pack to the fore in the closing stages captain Smith kicked two more penalties to make the final score 29-12.
Pontypridd Youth took the spoils, their scrum half Carl Blacker was man of the match and Pontypridd’s excellent captain Rhodri Smith’s last act as a Youth player was to raise the National Youth League trophy.
