Ponty storm to shock success

Ceri Sweeney is collared by Irish's Michael Horak

London Irish 27-33 Pontypridd

Pontypridd wrote a new chapter in the club's history with a shock Parker Pen Shield semi-final victory over London Irish at the Kassam Stadium, Oxford.

Brett Davey's 18 points put paid to the Powergen Cup holders, who were overwhelming favourites for victory.

London Irish made three changes from the side that lifted the Powergen Cup, with Mike Worsley injured, and Rob Hardwick and Naka Drotske out on rota.

Ponty were forced to field scrum-half Gareth Baber on the wing as their injury problems behind saw them withoutn Gareth Jones, Nigel Simpson and Richard Johnston.

But any worries they had about Baber's capabilities disappeared in the second minute.

Jon Bryant and Sonny Parker made the initial breaks and found Baber - the Wales Sevens skipper - in support. He took the Irish tackles and slipped the ball inside for Gareth Wyatt to stroll over.

Ponty skipper Paul John battles for possession

Brett Davey converted to give the Welsh side a shock lead.

The Exiles' rhythm was disrupted when they lost Welsh international Steve Williams with a dislocated finger, and he was replaced by Glen Delaney.

Irish, with the advantage of the wind, were struggling to cope with Ponty's pace and they fell further behind in the 20th minute.

Sweeney, Wyatt and Michael Owen all made progress before prop Gethin Jenkins appeared to burst over. Davey converted to make it 14-0.

Player-coach Brendan Venter then provided Irish with a much-needed spur by breaking through the Ponty midfield.

After a quick penalty, he appeared again to fire out a long pass and flanker Eddie Halvey went over in the corner. Barry Everitt converted.

The score only served to fire up Ponty again and, from a line-out in the corner, hooker Mefin Davies drove over for Davey to add a superb conversion.

But the ding-dong affair continued and, this time, Irish hooker Richard Kirke forced his way over for a try and Everitt converted to make it 21-14.

Ceri Sweeney tries to break through the Irish defence

In the 34th minute, the scores were level as Sweeney's kick was charged down and Venter set up Michael Horak to stride through un touched, and Everitt converted.

The breathless action continued right to the interval, and a Davey penalty was enough to give Ponty a 24-21 half-time lead.

After the break, Davey quickly added another two penalties to put Ponty clear as the two sides tightened up the game.

Everitt did pull three points back after Duncan Bell was penalised for not retreating, and it was Irish who gained the momentum.

Horak made a fine break to give his side a superb opportunity, but they were held up and then Damien Danaher was penalised for kneeing Ponty's Robert Sidoli.

For all the Irish pressure, it was Ponty who were next on the scoreboard when Davey punished a late tackle by Danaher on Wyatt.

With just five minutes left, Irish began to run everything but Everitt didn't decline a chance of a simple penalty to cut the lead to 33-27.

But the clinching score wouldn't come and Ponty celebrated a stunning success.

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London Irish: Tries: E Halvey, R Kirke, M Horak. Cons: B Everitt (3). Pens: B Everitt (2).

Pontypridd: Tries: G Wyatt, M Davies, G Jenkins. Cons: B Davey (3). Pens: B Davey (4).

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London Irish: M Horak; P Sackey, G Appleford, B Venter, J Bishop; B Everitt, H Martens; N Hatley, R Kirke, S Halford, R Strudwick (capt), S Williams, E Halvey, C Sheasby, D Danaher.
Replacements: D Edwards, J Brown, R Hoadley, J Cockle, N Droske, G Delaney, J Wheatley.

Pontypridd: B Davey; G Wyatt, S Parker, J Bryant, G Baber; C Sweeney, P John (capt); G Jenkins, M Davies, D Bell, B Cockbain, R Sidoli, N Kelly, M Owen, R Parks.
Replacements: J Lewis, A Lawson, M Rees, S Cronk, D McIntosh, R Field, G Remnant.

Referee: Rob Dickson (Scotland).