Ponty end in glory
Pontypridd 44 Edinburgh Reivers 30
May 5, 2001

Pontypridd ended their season in a blaze of glory in the Welsh/Scottish Premier Division with a convincing win over Edinburgh Reivers.

Ponty began at a cracking pace, taking the lead after three minutes with a superb try.

From a line-out, full-back Craig Williams joined the line to create an overlap that let in wing Gareth Wyatt at the corner.

After surviving intense Reivers' pressure in their 22 for a spell, Ponty struck again. A break in midfield by Michael Owen was picked up by Williams who opened a wide gap to send flanker Richard Field over near the post for Ceri Sweeney to convert.

Reivers' outside half Duncan Hodge and Sweeney exchanged penalties and within minutes the visitors cut the gap by five points with a slick touchdown from centre Graham Shiel converted by Hodge.

In the closing stages of the half Reivers edged in front with a try from wing Craig Joiner that Hodge converted.

Right on the interval the visitors increased their hold with a try from prop Craig Smith converted by Hodge.

After the restart Pontypridd cut the deficit with an early try from wing Richard Johnston after a break from Craig Williams, who joined the line at pace. Sweeney converted.

Within minutes Ponty struck again. A handling move saw the ball whipped to Williams, who smashed through the cover defence to crash over way out to put his side ahead.

With Ponty now in the driving seat, from a Reivers scrum, Paul John stole the ball and a handling move let in Gareth Wyatt for an opportunist try.

In the last quarter Reivers hit back with two penalties from replacement outside-half Gordon Ross.

In the closing minutes Ponty added a try from Sweeney that he converted and in injury time Johnston added another touchdown to put the issue beyond doubt.

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