Pontypool steal it

The Pontypool resurgence continues with yet another hard-fought victory, this time against Tata Steel at Pontypool Park in the final game of the season. Admittedly, judging by the plethora of changes to the Tata team that were announced before the kick off, the opposition were not at full strength. Nevertheless, when the drubbing that Pooler received at the hands of Tata in the away fixture is considered, this represents a significant turnaround.

The game was played in excellent conditions but was very scrappy and error-strewn. From the off Tata looked superior in virtually every department and quickly took the lead with a smartly taken try when their right wing kicked ahead and gathered. As it turned out, this was the only try of the match as Tata squandered a series of very promising positions. Pontypool’s first-up tackling was often ineffective and the away side’s back three frequently made major incursions. Pontypool for their part never really looked like scoring a try but managed to keep in touch through penalties kicked by their fullback Gullis and their tenacious scrambling defence. To be only losing 6-11 at half-time was not a bad outcome for a half when the home side were frequently outplayed.

The second half was equally scrappy although Pooler playing down the slope seemed to get a bit more of a foothold in the game. Tata still looked much the more likely to score a try but the Pontypool last ditch defence kept them out on several occasions as they hammered away close to the try line. There was an exchange of penalties to take the score to 9-14 and then another penalty for Pooler to close the gap to 12-14. Even when Tata were reduced to 14 men by a yellow card, they still looked the likely winners. With about 10 minutes remaining and against the run of play Pooler were awarded a penalty close to the halfway line. Gullis converted with an excellent kick to give the home side the lead for the first time in the match at 15-14. From then on, it was almost constant pressure from Tata who were camped in the home 22. They even got the ball down over the line only for the try to be disallowed. The home supporters’ nerves were frayed as the seconds seemed to tick away agonisingly slowly. Then blessed relief as the final whistle came at last.

Pontypool have finished the season strongly with 6 wins in 7 matches which is all the more astonishing when you consider they had only won one other game in the rest of the season and that against bottom side Whitland. I don’t think anyone should get carried away and think that Pooler have a side that can go on and win the league next season but it has certainly made the long-suffering and loyal supporters feel a whole lot better.