High Jenks

Newbridge 15

Pontypridd 20

INTERNATIONAL fly-half Neil Jenkins landed five penalties to take his club tally to 296 this season as Pontypridd stormed to victory at Newbridge.

Last season's beaten Swalec Cup finalists are obviously intent on going one better this year, and with Jenkins back in top kicking form, they'll be a tough outfit to crack.

Newbridge outscored their opponents 2-1 on tries with efforts by scrum- half Richard Smith and flanker Iwan Jones while Phil Withers added a conversion and penalty.

But the afternoon belonged to Jenkins. Newbridge made frequent transgressions within kicking range and were severely punished by Jenkins.

The visitors took the lead in the 16th minute when Jenkins succeeded on his second penalty attempt with a finely-judged kick.

Newbridge fly half Withers failed to match Jenkins with a similar effort, but it wasn't long before the home side opened their account with the first try of the match.

Burst

Scrum half Richard Smith collected from a lineout to burst through for the touchdown.

A sustained period of Ponty pressure saw Newbridge concede two more penalties. Both were gratefully received by Jenkins to power Ponty to a 9-5 interval advantage.

Newbridge skipper Paul Kawulok, who was a towering presence in the line- out throughout the first half, excelled himself in the second.

Power

Rising splendidly to win possession, he led a bulldozing forward drive which ended with flanker Jones breaking clear for a well- worked try.

Withers converted to briefly give the home side the lead, but Newbridge hadn't reckoned on the staying power of that man Jenkins.

He quickly levelled with his fourth successful penalty and then booted over another to put Ponty in front.

Newbridge survived a succession of close range scrums, but they had no answer to Ponty scrum half Paul John, who made the final touchdown beneath a pile of players.

Copyright 1996 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.