Stand-in stand-off stands out

ROBERT COLE

Pontypridd 48 Bridgend 11

Those who thought Pontypridd were a one-man team have had a huge shock in the last two weeks thanks to the exhilarating form of the club's stand- in stand-off, Lee Jarvis.

The 19-year-old schoolboy international has taken over from the injured Neil Jenkins, the Wales outside-half, with such effect that he has helped himself to 38 points in successive wins over Newport and Bridgend.

The upshot has been a rise in Ponty's fortunes. They are level on points with the top two, Swansea and Cardiff, and have every chance of improving on last season's runners-up position in the First Division.

As well as kicking immaculately out of hand and at goal, Jarvis has provided a mature link between forwards and backs. The other vital link in the side is the seemingly ageless flank forward Richie Collins.

He figured twice in the move which led the home side's opening try four minutes before halftime and was consistently first for the breakdown. That proved vital for Ponty in the second half as they went in search of bonus points.

At half-time, with only one try, it seemed unlikely they would get anywhere near to a maximum three bonus points for scoring seven tries. In the end they fell just one short and picked two invaluable bonus points.

The second-half try rush was launched by Geraint Lewis with a spectacular 80-metre interception score which gave his side the breathing space and confidence to throw caution to the wind.

For their part Bridgend kept on plugging away, but were never able to win enough good possession to threaten the home team's dominance.

Further tries flowed from the back line, and a penalty try enabled Jarvis to extend his tally to 18 points with the conversion.

Pontypridd: Tries Manley 2, G Lewis 2, S Lewis J Lewis, penalty try; Conversions Jarvis 3; Penalties Jarvis 3; Drop goal Jarvis. Bridgend: Try Williams; Penalties Lewis 2.

Pontypridd: C Cormack; D Manley, J Lewis, S Lewis, G Lewis; L Jarvis, Paul John; N Bezani (capt); Phil John, A Metcalf, G Prosser, P Owen, M Lloyd, D McIntosh, R Collins.

Bridgend: C Bradshaw; P Jones, J Ball, D James, G Wilkins; M Lewis, R Jones; D Francis, I Greenslade (capt), S Gale, S Ford, G Rowlands, N Thomas, A Williams, J Forster.

Referee: G Simmonds (Cardiff)