A Cold frosty but bright morning welcomed both teams to the welfare ground at Cilfynydd.
The game commenced with some tentative play exploding into a try fest as the Ponty back line allowed the ball to bounce, with the HOW back line swiftly onto the opportunity.
The ball was moved quickly along the back line for HOW to score a try by Tom Davies (Builth Wells) converted by Ethan Williams (Aberdare.)
Play was mainly centred around the half way line, although Ponty had not actually entered HOW territory at this stage at all. With pressure on the Ponty back line, a loose pass was intercepted and again HOW moved the ball well for outside half Ethan Williams to score a second try. Unfortunately he was injured during the act of scoring and required an ambulance and a visit to hospital. Rhys Bow (Merthyr) converted.
The game was severely disrupted as the referee was the father of the injured player and needed to travel in the ambulance.
Mr Steve Smith volunteered to take over as referee to ensure the fixture could be completed.
Ponty full back Huw Consitt (Pontyclun)was injured taking a high ball and had to leave the field with a severely bruised ankle.
With confidence high HOW attacked with forwards and backs and created a midfield overlap, cutting through the Ponty defence wide out for Rhys Bow to score a third unanswered try, the result of some excellent handling across the back line.
One HOW move by captain and No8 Jack James (Aberdare)was stopped by a clattering tackle from Ponty centre Garyn Smith Ponty appearing to gain confidence from Garyns effort.
Having finally stirred from their slumber the Ponty team managed to hold on to some decent possession and gained a foot hold in the HOW half. Some good interplay saw flanker and captain Ieaun Evans (Pontypridd) managed to get over for a try converted by Shane Hutchinson (Pontypridd).
At half time Ponty were fortunate not to be further points behind as the HOW were clearly far more focussed and switched on to their game plan.
Half Time
Pontypridd Under 14s District 7
Heart of Wales Under 14s District 19
A small number of changes were made to the Ponty team which appeared to make a significant difference as they started the second half brightly, utilising their normal game plan of driving forward play and off loading out of the tackle area.
The revised game plan worked as Ponty began to apply pressure to the HOW side moving play across the field probing for gaps.
Following some good inter-play, centre Sam Edwards (Pontypridd) crossed for a try to bring Ponty closer at 12 17.
HOW suffered a blow when Scott Parry (Gwernhyfed) suffered a blow to the head, followed swiftly by a neck injury and was advised to play no further part.
Slick handling between forwards and backs presented a further overlap for centre Sam Edwards to score a second try levelling the scores.
Ponty now had their tails up - prop Sam Grant (Pontyclun)and flanker Ieaun Evans had tries correctly disallowed by referee Smith, who was right on the spot to judge.
No 8 Ed Jones (Pontyclun) made a concerted drive placing the ball down, only to realise it was the football goal line and he was a couple of metres short !
Ponty continued to off load and after a serious of attacks on both sides of the field full back Shane Hutchinson crossed for a try wide out.
HOW made a last concerted effort to score Ponty managing to keep them out with some resolute defending.
Final Score
Pontypridd Under 14s District 22
Heart of Wales Under 14s District 19
An excellent advert for Future Blues and a credit to both teams.
A warm welcome was extended by the Cilfynydd RFC Club Ponty are again grateful for their support.
All at Pontypridd and Heart Wales hope that all injured players make a swift recovery and are looking forward to the return fixture.