Pontypool the Caged Lions of Welsh Rugby

Pontypool travelled to Cardiff Met. University knowing that a good win would secure the Welsh National Championship for a second successive year. Pooler duly obliged and this means that they now have an unassailable lead at the top of the Championship with an incredible five matches still remaining. This is impressive stuff indeed but sadly they are currently denied the opportunity to play in the more challenging league that will help the club to develop further. They are like a caged lion trapped in the Championship when they long to roam the plains of the Premiership in search of bigger prey. It is all so frustrating!

To the match itself. Pontypool started well enough with two tries in the first ten minutes or so both converted by Matthew Jones. Both tries came us a result of kicks chipped over the students’ rush defence: the first for Gullis after a chip by Matthew Jones and the second for Owen Williams after a chip by Meek. With the score at 0-14, Pontypool looked set fair.

Virtually all the remainder of the first half was pretty frustrating. Pontypool were clearly the dominant force but due to a high error count and the committed Cardiff Met defence could not add any further scores until the thirty-ninth minute. When they did it was from a trade mark lineout catch and drive with Coundley getting the touch down. The try was unconverted so at half time Pontypool had a comfortable lead at 0-19.

The second half started with a spell of home pressure but the Pontypool defence was in no mood to give up points and comfortably repelled the best efforts of the students. A yellow card for the Cardiff Met. hooker Lewis ten minutes into the half seemed to open the floodgates with Pooler scoring three tries in his absence. The first came from a driving lineout with, this time, Ball getting the touchdown (0-26). The next try came from a delicate kick ahead from No. 8 Lampitt with Meek winning the scramble to touch the ball down (0-33). The final try of the trio was the pick of the bunch with forwards and backs showing great handling skills for Thomas to score behind the posts (0-40).

Cardiff Met. were still plugging away and scored a try when Geary stole around the front of a lineout in the Pontypool twenty two to score an unconverted try (5-40). This stung Pontypool into action and a tremendous long distance driving maul opened a gap for scrum half Luckwell to canter over for a try near the posts. The successful conversion made the score 5-47. This was followed by a brilliant solo effort from replacement centre Mahoney who bamboozled the Cardiff Met defence with a searing run from the halfway line. Matthew Jones converted to take Pooler past the half century at 5-54.

The last score went to the home side who had never stopped giving their all in this entertaining spectacle. Gealy scored an unconverted try to leave the final score 10-54.

This fixture last season was the only league defeat for Pontypool and they grabbed their chance to make up for it with aplomb. It was great to see so many young players making their mark. I am sure I can speak for all the loyal supporters when I thank management, support staff and squad alike for their efforts in securing the Championship title and giving us so much pleasure. Particular thanks go to Peter and Ben Jeffreys for their unstinting support in rescuing the team from the dark place that they were in.

Of course the season is far from over and it would be a wonderful achievement if Pooler could keep their unbeaten league record intact. This of course will not be an easy task with only one game at home out of the five fixtures remaining. The next match is at our old rivals Newbridge who have always proved worthy opponents and would like nothing better than to lower Pooler’s colours.

Come on Pooler!