Pontypool’s Pack Pave the Way

It had rained and rained overnight and then rained some more on the Saturday morning. Surely the Pontypool match would be postponed. I was very much on tenterhooks as I waited for the result of the 11.00am pitch inspection to flash through over the ether. I was suffering from severe withdrawal symptoms - no live Pooler game for a month or more. The news was good the match was on – the couch heaved a sigh of relief.

Pontypool had another opportunity to stamp their authority on the Championship with the visit of second placed Ystrad Rhondda who had been proving a worthy addition to the league with their impressive nine wins out of eleven starts. They had really given Pooler a scare in the corresponding away fixture earlier in the season so a tough encounter was anticipated.

The pitch was in remarkably good condition considering the amount of rainfall but it was a grey blustery afternoon with more rain not far away. Pontypool were playing up the slope and against the wind in the first half as the game kicked off.

After a cagy first few minutes, the first scrum gave us a taste of what was to come. The power of Pooler’s pack earned a penalty and the ball was kicked for touch. A powerful surge from the forwards saw new hooker Hughes touch down for a try. Lewis converted and Pooler had drawn first blood (7-0).

The next half an hour was nip and tuck with both sides having their share of decent possession and field position. Pontypool seemed to be content to kick for position and negate the Ystrad attacks with their blanket defence. As you might expect, the tricky conditions were not making handling easy so errors were abundant in a scrappy period of play.

As the half was drawing to a close, Pooler established a position in the Ystrad twenty two. A series of forward surges were repelled by the visitors before the ball was spread wide where Lloyd Lewis on the right wing managed to skip around his opposite number to squeeze in at the corner for a try. The try was unconverted but this was a great boost for Pooler on the stroke of half time and they had a spring in their step as they made their way to the changing rooms with a 12-0 lead.

Pontypool with the advantage of the slope and the elements started the second half strongly and were soon deep in the Ystrad twenty two. The forwards carried strongly as they edged closer and closer to the goal line. It was Danny Hodge who finally broke the defence to dot down for the third Pontypool try. The try was again unconverted but Pooler looked in control at 17-0 and were in the hunt for the bonus point try.

They did not have to wait long. Pooler again worked their way into the Ystrad twenty two and this time the ball was spread wide with Lloyd Lewis put in the clear and he needed no second invitation to gallop down the touchline and score in the right corner. The conversion failed but Pooler had secured the bonus point and held a 22-0 lead.

Pontypool had momentum with them but this was lost when Meek received a yellow card and outside half Lewis left the field due to injury. This led to the away side putting a series of attacks together with Pooler very much on the defensive. The Pooler defence held firm as Ystrad desperately tried to break their duck.

Meek returned to the field amid the usual round of substitutions for both sides and Pontypool once again were on the attack. Again it was the driving play of the forwards that proved too much for Ystrad who were forced into conceding a penalty try as they tried to halt Pooler’s progress. The Pontypool lead had now grown to 29-0 and there was no way back for the visitors.

As the game moved deep into the final quarter, Pontypool conjured up the best try of the match. They were awarded a penalty in their own twenty two and elected to run it. The ball was moved right where Lloyd Lewis made good ground before being tackled. The support was on hand and a couple off offloads saw replacement scrum half Quick cap a brilliant move to score in the right corner. The conversion once again sailed wide leaving Pontypool well clear at 34-0.

Ystrad Rhondda never gave up trying and as the game and had made a major contribution to a competitive match. They got their just reward as the final whistle approached with an unconverted try by Williams. Final score Pontypool 34 Ystrad Rhondda 5.

Pontypool thoroughly deserved this victory against spirited and well organised opposition. The foundations of the victory were laid by the forwards with a strong scrummage and powerful driving play. In the backs Pooler have a potent weapon in Lloyd Lewis who is ever ready to finish off the approach play of the rest of the backs. The strength in depth of the squad would be the envy of most Premiership teams.

Pontypool have now recorded eleven wins from eleven starts and at the half way point hold a thirteen point lead at the top of the Championship with a game in hand. A strong position indeed but there is no room for complacency that is for sure.

On Friday night I watched Cardiff v. Swansea in a Premiership match on the TV. To say the size of the crowd was disappointing is an understatement. I know the match was live on TV and Cardiff City were playing but where were all the fans? For the record, Cardiff won reasonably comfortably if anyone is interested. At the end of this round of Premiership matches, playoff watch can reveal that Bedwas are now in the playoff position but it is till mighty tight. Neath looked to be doomed but the struggle to avoid relegation is going to be tense.

I did also catch a bit of the Glasgow v. Scarlets match. Despite being down to fourteen men for most of the match Glasgow seemed to win most of the physical battles and were worthy 29-20 winners. The Dragons must surely be devastated to be absolutely stuffed at home by Leinster. Can anyone stop the current Irish dominance of regional and international rugby?

The Pontypool game against Tata Steel due to be played next Saturday has been postponed so the next match is at home against Beddau. There is serious danger of me having to do Xmas shopping – bah humbug!

Come on Pooler!