Pontypool
Park was looking splendid in its autumn colours as the rugby congregation
gathered for what was widely regarded as one of the pivotal matches of the
Championship season. Pontypool were taking on one of the other unbeaten teams
in the league in their perennial rivals Narberth. Narberth have started the
season strongly with a string of impressive victories and would surely present
a stiff challenge. By their standards, Pontypool have not been at their best so
far this season but have reeled off five victories too. It was time for Pooler
to step up to the plate,
It was
Narberth who started the game the stronger. Playing down the slope with the
breeze in their favour. They soon established a position in the home twenty two
but failed to score despite some promising approach play. After soaking up ten
minutes of pressure, Pontypool managed to break the shackles and worked their
way up the field eventually winning a lineout near the Narberth line. A series
of forward drives saw Pooler skipper Nash get the opening try of the afternoon
which was converted by Jones (7-0). Shortly afterwards Pooler increased their
lead through a Jones penalty (10-0).
Narberth
continued to look threatening and from a lineout near the Pontypool twenty two
their backs split the Pontypool defence for the supporting flanker Rees to
score a try. The conversion failed but Narberth were back in the game at 10-5.
As the
half wore on, the Pontypool pack began to show their power in both attack and
defence with the front row particularly prominent. This gave a solid platform for
the backs to show their mettle. After twenty five minutes, Pooler scored their
second try when fullback Walsh came into the line to give wing Lewis the hint
of an overlap. The “gas man” need no second invitation and showed his pace and
power to cross in the corner. An excellent conversion saw Pooler establish a
17-5 lead.
As half
time approached, Pontypool disputed a decision by the referee which turned a
scrum into a kickable penalty. Griffiths obliged by plonking the ball between
the posts to leave the score at 17-8 at the interval. We wondered whether this
moment of indiscipline would come back to haunt Pontypool as the players
trooped off the field.
Pontypool
came out in the second half as if they had been given the proverbial kick up
the back side. Powerful carries by Drake and Coundley pushed the home side deep
into the Narberth twenty two. The backs took over and an incisive inside pass
saw left wing Thomas power over near the posts. The conversion by Jones
extended the Pooler lead to 24-8.
Pontypool
were soon on the attack again and decided to kick for the corner after being
awarded a kickable penalty. Their driving lineout proved irresistible and Nash
got his second touchdown of the match in the right hand corner. Pontypool had
opened up an impressive 29-8 lead and secured a bonus point with less than ten
minutes of the second half played.
Narberth
looked shell-shocked by the ferocity of the Pontypool assault. The Pooler
forwards were carrying strongly and whenever Narberth got the ball the tackling
was monstrous. Pontypool dominated both possession and territory and were soon
back in the Narberth twenty two. This time it was Lewis who entered the line at
pace and the wing galloped over to score his second try. The conversion by
Jones put Pontypool almost out of sight at 36-8.
Pooler
were not about to relax and really wanted to stamp their authority on the
Championship contenders. On the hour mark the scored another good try when fullback
Walsh sped through the Narberth defence to score the sixth try which was again
converted by Jones (43-8). Moments later Narberth surrendered possession in the
Pontypool half and Gullis was put in the clear and he sprinted down the
touchline to score in the right corner. The conversion failed but Pooler were
in sight of the half century at 48-8.
Both sides
used up all their replacements and the game rather lost its shape. Worryingly
for Pontypool outside half Matthew Jones was forced to leave the field with a
nasty looking hand injury. Narberth tried hard to salvage some pride from the
game in the final quarter but the home tackling remained as fierce as ever and
they certainly looked a well-beaten side as we went into the final moments.
Another fearsome hit by Pooler dislodged the ball from the Narberth grasp in
the home twenty two. A couple of quick passes saw the “gas man” in the clear
and there was only one outcome. Lloyd
Lewis sprinted almost eighty metres to score his third try. The conversion by
Meek brought an end to proceedings with Pontypool running out convincing
winners at 55-8.
This was a
really compelling performance by Pontypool. They brushed aside the challenge of
one of the top contenders for the title with the whole team performing at a
high level. The combination of forward power coupled with the pace in the backs
was a joy to behold. A big well done to everyone - it was tremendous. I wish
Matthew Jones all the best for a speedy recovery from his injury.
I must
confess I have not signed up to Premier Sports so I have not seem much Regional
rugby. A quick straw poll amongst my acquaintances revealed that none of them
were subscribing either. I wonder how successful the venture is. The look on
the Dragons’ supporters’ faces and their eagerness to get to the bar in my
local was a clear indicator that things had not gone well at Rodney Parade
against the Blues. Sadly it seems that you have to shell out a small fortune if
you want to watch a wide selection of rugby as Sky, BT and Premier Sports all
want your money.
On Friday
evening I watched Bath play Exeter. Exeter are absolutely relentless with their
brand of power rugby. They have a set game plan that is based on their
strengths and their players all look super fit and super strong. The way they
play is not everyone’s cup of tea but it is mighty effective. Does that remind
you of anyone? Yes, it is reminiscent on Pontypool in the late seventies and
eighties!
When I got
home on Saturday afternoon I caught the second half of the South Africa v New
Zealand test. What a tremendous game! I think only the All Blacks could have
come back to win from the position they found themselves in. Despite South
Africa’s dominance for most of the match they left the door ajar and the All
Blacks certainly need no second invitation and scored fourteen points in five
minutes. Both sides have put down strong markers for the Rugby World Cup though
– Northern Hemisphere beware!
Pontypool’s
next assignment is a trip to Bedlinog. This has the potential to be a tough
encounter as local derbies generally are. The squad must be brimming with
confidence after the display against Narberth but there are no easy away matches
in this league.
Come on
Pooler!
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