AFTER more than five weeks without a game, Pontypool made the trip to the capital to face Cardiff at the Arms Park in a Super Rygbi Cymru encounter on a mild and mostly fine Saturday afternoon.

Pooler were a little rusty and their lineout struggled to function throughout the game while the Cardiff backs looked sharp and dangerous as the home side ran out worthy winners.

Cardiff kicked off attacking the clubhouse end of the ground. In the third minute Cardiff were caught offside near their 10-metre line, slightly to the right of the posts and Pooler centre Kieran Meek made no mistake with a successful shot at goal to put the visitors into an early lead (0-3).

Seven minutes later Pontypool were on the attack inside the home 22 and eventually flanker Scott Matthews powered over from close range to score a try to the right of the posts – his 50th try in league and cup matches.

This score was converted by Kieran Meek (0-10). However back came Cardiff and in the 13th minute Pontypool were penalised at a breakdown near their 10-metre line, 20 metres in from touch on Cardiff’s right and home outside half Harri Wilde slotted the kick at goal to open his side’s account (3-10).

On 24 minutes Cardiff were on the attack inside Pooler’s 22 and, after several drives to the goal line, a long pass went out to left wing Dewi Cross who managed to get the ball down in the left corner for an unconverted try (8-10).

On the half hour, the Blue-and-Blacks were penalised just inside their half, 15 metres in from touch on Pooler’ left but the attempt at goal fell just short. Five minutes before the interval Cardiff took the lead with another try by Dewi Cross, who touched down 10 metres from the corner on the right, following a break by scrum half Ethan Lloyd.

The conversion was kicked by Harri WIlde (15-10). Then, just before the break, Pontypool were guilty of a high tackle, 35 metres from their goal line in midfield, but the attempt at goal struck the right upright and Pooler cleared.

Half time score – Cardiff 15 Pontypool 10.

At the start of the second period Callum Davies replaced second row Jonathan Verrier with Davies going into the back row and Morgan Allen moving up from number eight to second row.

In the 53rd minute Cardiff increased their advantage with a try, from deep, by right wing Tom Bowen who crossed in the right corner, after a lovely break by centre Elijah Evans.

The conversion was unsuccessful (20-10). Pooler then made changes with Kyan Best replacing Sam Cochrane at loose head prop and Harry Drane taking over from Owain James at tight head prop.

Then Marcus Jones made way for Walker Price on the left wing for the visitors.

On the hour Pontypool’s young outside half Harri Ford took a nasty knock and was replaced by Amose Nove who went into the centre and Kieran Meek moved across from centre to outside half.

With just over 15 minutes to go Pontypool second row Dan Hill was shown a straight reed card for a dangerous tackle inside Pooler’ half.

From the resulting penalty, Cardiff kicked to the left corner, a driving maul ensued and the Cardiff pack drove their opponents back with hooker Alun Rees scoring his side’s bonus-point try to the left of the posts.

Harri Wilde added the extras (27-10). Towards the end of the game Pontypool made further changes as hooker Oli Burrows made way for Connor Chapman, Ryan Jones took over from flanker and captain Mike Herbert and wing Mathew Powell was replaced by Lewis Robey. Final score – Cardiff 27 Pontypool 10.

Well done to Cardiff on their win and they secured two bonus points in the process (one for scoring four tries and another for winning by 15 points or more). Despite a good start by Pontypool, going ten points up in as many minutes, they then struggled for the rest of the game.

There is no shame in losing to a better team on the day and Cardiff were exactly that. Pontypool need to re-group and try to get things back on track ready for next Saturday when they are on the road again, to last season’s double-winners, Llandovery at Church Bank, for another stern test.

Pontypool’s next home game will be on Saturday 14 December when traditional rivals Bridgend will be welcome visitors to Pontypool Park. The kick-off for both these matches will be at 2.30pm.

Cardiff: Joe Goodchild, Tom Bowen, Elijah Evans, Steffan Emanuel, Dewi Cross, Harri Wilde, Ethan Lloyd, Dany Southworth, Alun Rees, Joe Cowell, Craig Hudd, Sean Moore (captain), Aled Ward, Lucas de la Rua and Mackenzie Martin. Replacements: Gavin Parry, Marc Thomas, Tom Harper, Ethan Phillips, Benji Williams, Nathan Hudd, Sion Davies and Osian Darwin-Lewis.

Cardiff scorers: Tries by Dewi Cross (2), Tom Bowen and Alun Rees. Conversions by Harri Wilde (2). Penalty by Harri Wilde.

Pontypool: Pat Lewis, Mathew Powell (replaced by Lewis Robey), Joel Mahoney, Kieran Meek, Marcus Jones (replaced by Walker Price), Harri Ford (replaced by Amosa Nove), Owain Leonard, Sam Cochrane (replaced by Kyan Best), Oli Burrows (replaced by Connor Chapman), Owain James (replaced by Harry Drane), Jonathan Verrier (replaced by Callum Davies), Dan Hill, Scott Matthews, Mike Herbert (captain, replaced by Ryan Jones) and Morgan Allen.

Pontypool scorers: Try by Scott Matthews. Conversion by Kieran Meek. Penalty by Kieran Meek.

Referee: Mr Lucas Yendle (Nelson)