Happy Families

The Memorial Ground had a festive air with lots of families out enjoying the summer sun. Pontypool were being hosted by their neighbours Pontypool United for the last warm-up game before the season starts in earnest next weekend.

The match had none of the needle of Pooler’s previous encounter against Llanelli and was played in a competitive yet friendly spirit. Pooler, as the higher ranked side, quickly stamped their authority on the game with two well-taken tries from Thorley and Herbert in the first ten minutes which gave them a 0-12 lead. Pooler looked dangerous as they moved the ball at pace and more scores looked likely.

United grew into the game and their rush defence began to force some mistakes from their opponents. Indeed they started to put together some strong attacks themselves which culminated in a converted try by Takel to bring the score to 7-12.

The game then entered a period of stalemate with a series of handling errors and penalties resulting in a frustrating stop-start affair. As the first half drifted towards its close, Pooler broke the deadlock with a try under the posts by Thomas who was put into space by Luckwell. This gave the away side a decent lead at the half at 7-19.

Mass substitutions by both sides in the second half did nothing to improve the fluidity of the game with both sides struggling to put coherent attacks together. It took almost twenty minutes for the next score which came when Hancock dived over from close range after a series of forward drives by the Pooler pack. The conversion failed but Pooler looked in control at 7-24. A few minutes later United’s fate was sealed when Ferriman drove over following more strong forward play and with the successful conversion Pontypool were home and dry at 7-31.

There was still time for the resilient home team to score a consolation try when Takel bagged his second in the dying moments. The conversion went over and, as the final whistle blew moments later, the final score was 14-31.

This was a decent workout for Pontypool as the well-organised United side pushed them hard. Pooler will certainly need to tighten up and reduce the error count in the league matches to come. Nevertheless a successful pre-season should leave Pontypool in good heart for the challenges of the new campaign. The squad looks to have significant depth in all areas and it will be fascinating to see what the starting fifteen will be for the first league game with so many players in contention.

Pontypool will be taking on newly-promoted Rhydyfelin at the Park next Saturday and can expect a tough match as the newcomers will certainly want to impress against the reigning champions. I’m looking forward to it already!

Come on Pooler!

The not so friendly friendly

Pontypool’s warm up for the new season continued with a match at the Park against long-time rivals Llanelli. The added spice for this so called friendly was that Pooler had defeated the Premiership side last season in the Cup.

Right from the start it was clear that Llanelli were keen to exact revenge and the spice level was at least vindaloo. Llanelli dominated the early exchanges which were punctuated by several bouts of fisticuffs. They eventually outflanked the Pooler defence for Evans to score an unconverted try in the corner to take an early lead (0-5).

Pontypool got a foothold in the game which was clearly going to be a robust encounter with both sides fully committed. Pontypool equalised when second row Gibson suddenly shot out of a ruck and galloped thirty metres or so to score wide out (5-5). This stung Llanelli into action and they retook the lead with a try by Reyland after concerted pressure (5-10). Back came the home side with an unconverted try after a clever kick by Matthew Jones led to a try by Luckwell In the corner bringing the scores level (10-10).

Pontypool then took the lead when another expertly weighted kick by Jones was fielded at full pace by Hurley who raced twenty metres to score. The successful conversion gave Pontypool a 17-10 lead. Despite tremendous Llanelli pressure and being reduced to fourteen men by a yellow card, Pontypool managed to hold on to this lead until half time. This was a really competitive and enjoyable half of rugby with Pontypool certainly not suffering in any way in comparison to the Premiership team.

Llanelli had the edge in the opening exchanges in the second half with Pooler still down to fourteen men. Pontypool’s defence was strong and uncompromising but eventually it cracked and Llanelli closed the gap to 17-15 with another unconverted try by Evans.

Llanelli continued to press but Pooler struck with a fine try when Luckwell crossed under the posts after clever inter-passing following a turnover (24-15). Llanelli were far from finished and, as the inevitable substitutions, were made their three quarters started to look more and more dangerous. Pooler’s chances were not helped when they were reduced to fourteen men again after a yellow card for a high tackle. The gap in the scores was narrowed to 24-22 when they scored a converted try and with ten minutes to go it was anyone’s game.

Pontypool worked their way into a promising position and were awarded a lineout close to the Llanelli line. Then, disaster, the lineout went horribly wrong and Llanelli took full toll as they moved the ball wide and, with the home defence splintered, went the length of the field for Jenkins to score in the corner. The conversion failed but the West Walians had taken the lead at 24-27.

Pontypool tried to bounce back from this blow but to no avail and a match that was there for the taking had slipped through their grasp.

Pontypool have every reason to be optimistic for the new campaign as they matched their opponents from the league above in virtually every aspect of a highly competitive game. Indeed for large periods they bossed the game and can consider themselves rather unfortunate to lose. Of course there is work to do and the high penalty count and those two yellow cards are a cause for concern but overall this was a very satisfactory outing. It was certainly nice to witness a competitive “friendly”.

Well done Pooler!

Musical Chairs

I made a short jaunt to Tondu to cast my eye over the Pooler squad as it starts a run of friendly games in preparation for the new season. These games are not really about winning and losing but more about giving the coaching staff an opportunity to observe as many squad members as possible in a match situation rather than in training. For the spectator, it is utterly confusing as changes in personnel seem to be happening all the time. It is almost like a game of musical chairs – when the referee’s whistle blows there is a mad rush to be one of the thirty players on the field!

Suffice it to say, the Pooler squad looks in fine fettle with several of the new additions to the squad catching the eye and complementing the old guard. Tondu provided stern opposition for the first two thirds of the game but fell away in the final third as the strength in depth of the Pooler squad told. For the record the final score was 7-65 with Pooler running in six tries in the final third. Pooler scored eleven tries in all with Craig Atwell bagging a hat trick.

On the face of this performance, Pontypool look to be in a position to mount a strong challenge for the Championship title again. Overall there would appear to be few if any weaknesses but only time will tell. Lock proved to be a problem position last year due to injuries but all four of the locks on view looked fit and raring to go. Next week’s match against Premiership Llanelli will give the squad a more challenging yardstick to use to measure progress with the preparations for the upcoming season.

This season marks fifty years of supporting Pontypool for me and I am looking forward to the season as if it was my first.

Come on Pooler!