Pontypool Grind Out Victory

I had been looking forward to my visit to Pontypool Park as, at this time of the year, the trees look stunning in their autumn colours. The trees did their best but sadly the sunshine of the previous week had been replaced by a cold, grey day with a biting wind bringing the occasion flurry of rain. It really felt as if winter was on its way.

Pontypool were entertaining the Championship new boys Maesteg Harlequins who had made a decent start to the campaign and would certainly be out to test the reigning champions to the full. Before the contest kicked off, there was a minute’s silence in memory of three Pontypool stalwarts in Ray Cheney, Robin Williams and Terry “Tiger” Simons.

Pontypool, playing up the slope, started brightly and despite losing prop Drake were 3-0 up in the first ten minutes through a penalty from Lewis. This was followed a few minutes later by a try by Nash following a driving lineout (8-0). The Quins began to find their feet and hit back with a penalty from Howe when Pooler strayed offside (8-3).

The game was pretty scrappy as the away side set about disrupting Pooler’s best laid plans. The scrums were a mess and the Quins’ line speed in defence was stifling - at times seeming to reach mach 1. To add to the stop start nature of the game, there was an unfortunate injury to the Quins’ lock Smith which led to a ten minute break in play while he was attended to by the medical team.

When the match restarted, Pooler took advantage of some disarray in the vistors’ defence and made good ground when they spread the ball wide from a scrum. From an ensuing ruck, Matthews scored a try in the corner. The try was unconverted but Pontypool now held a 13-3 lead.

Pontypool continued to press and Matthews was again on the scoresheet as he touched down following a powerful rolling maul. This time Lewis was successful with the conversion (20-3). Pontypool looked to be set fair for victory but the Quins hit back with a second penalty from Howe after some decent attacking rugby (20-6).

Pontypool marched back up the field and took up residence deep in the Quins’ twenty two and looked odds on to score their fourth try especially when the Quins’ hooker Ronan was yellow carded. Somehow the Quins defence held out and there was a mighty cheer from their travelling support when they kicked the ball off the field and the half time whistle blew. HT Pontypool 20 Maesteg Quins 6.

Playing down the slope in the second half and with the wind if anything behind them, the Pontypool faithful fully expected the home side to pull away from the visitors. It started well enough with a vintage rolling maul that travelled fully twenty five metres for Matthews to touch down for his third try and secure the bonus point. The conversion from near the touchline missed narrowly but Pooler surely had a winning lead at 25-6.

The game became scrappier and scrappier with far too many interruptions from collapsed scrums and injuries for either side to get any measure of continuity. As a spectacle it left a lot to be desired on a cold day. All very frustrating.

Halfway through the half Pontypool at last put a significant series of attacks together which culminated in East ploughing over the line for a try. The conversion by Lewis was successful and Pooler led 32-6.

 With fifteen minutes remaining, an injury to home prop Coundley meant uncontested scrums and Pontypool being reduced to fourteen men as they had already used their replacement prop Price. The Quins took advantage of this and pressed strongly. Eventually they got their reward when Owen scored a try that was converted by Davies (32-13).

Pontypool had saved their best till last and a great break by outside half Lewis from the halfway line was supported by Thomas on the wing who almost made it to the try line. Luckwell was on hand to grab the ball and touch down for an excellent try. The conversion by Lewis sailed over and Pooler led 39-13.

In the dying minutes the Quins strove hard to score a second try but it wasn’t to be. It was with some relief for the spectators that the referee blew the final whistle and ended a pretty turgid afternoon’s entertainment. Final score Pontypool 39 Maesteg Quins 13.

Pontypool had to work hard for this victory against the Quins and despite the stop start nature of the game managed to score six tries and to be honest never looking like losing. Their bonus point victory and Cardiff Met’s narrow loss at Narberth means that Pontypool return to the top of the Championship having won their first eight matches. Let us hope that they can stay there until the end of the season.

Next week there is no match for Pontypool and Wales take on Scotland in Cardiff. Normally at this stage of the season thoughts turn to who will play for Wales with everyone having an opinion. Since the departure of Pro 14 from my TV screen I must confess I really don’t know who is playing well. Yes I watched the European matches last weekend and there were a couple of people playing in blue who I thought looked good. The trouble is I was not sure whether they were paying for Cardiff Blues or Glasgow Warriors. Seriously, the Scottish teams seem to be playing well and it is going to be a tough encounter for Wales next Saturday. I will certainly need to be fortified with a decent brunch beforehand.

Pontypool’s next match will be in a couple of weeks when the travel to Trebanos who are difficult proposition particularly on their own ground.

Come on Pooler!