Second half blues

Pontypool played against Bargoed in their first Gwent derby match of the season. Pooler had lost their first two matches of the Championship season while Bargoed had won their two which made Bargoed strong favourites to win at Pontypool Park.
This was the classic "game of two halves" with Pontypool starting like a firecracker playing open attacking rugby that seemed to take Bargoed completely by surprise. Pooler quickly raced into a 17-5 lead scoring two excellent tries with centre Macey and new fullback Gullis prominant. As the first half wore on, the strong Bargoed pack began to take a grip and, although the pacey Pooler backs continued to threaten, Bargoed hit back with their second unconverted try just before half time to make the score 17-10.
In the second half Bargoed stepped up their game and Pooler were comprehensively blown away as the visitors scored six tries. The Bargoed pack was in complete control in set pieces and at ruck and maul and won possession at will. The Pooler scrum was in total disarray and were fortunate only to concede one penalty try. The home team only managed two penalty goals and "lost" the second half by a staggering 6-42 to give a final score of 23-52. This was a real thumping and with Ebbw Vale away next week it does not get any easier.
If it is any consolation, it is interesting to note that Pooler have been leading at half time in their two home matches and were leading until injury time in the first half in the match at Tata. In all three matches the opposition pack took control in the second half as the young Pooler pack tired and did not win enough possession for the promising backs to fire. How things have changed since Ray Prosser's days in charge!
I watched the Ospreys against Glasgow and the Dragons against the Blues on the TV and found both games quite depressing. I don't think the latter will have done a lot for the prospects of filling the Millennium Stadium for local derbies. At this rate there will need to be a lot Scarlets in the Welsh team for the Autumn internationals if they are to compete against the Souther Hemisphere countries.