Pooler Made to Work Overtime to Progress

Pontypool Park was looking at its best on a sunny spring afternoon. It was like old times - Pontypool in a National Cup quarter final tie facing stiff opposition in the Bridgend Ravens with a large crowd waiting expectantly. For Pontypool this was a chance to pit their wits against a side from the Premiership for the second time in the Cup this season. Having won narrowly at Cross Keys in atrocious conditions, could they squeeze past Bridgend in perfect conditions? The stage was set and there was a mighty roar as Pooler took to the field.

Pontypool elected to play up the slope in the first half and got off to a bad start. An attempted clearance kick went wrong and they strayed off side. They were 0-3 down from the resulting penalty almost before they had time to draw breath. Things could have got a lot worse moments later when slick handling from the Ravens’ backs looked to have created a clear overlap. Fortunately for Pooler the final pass went astray and they had a chance to clear their lines.

It was pretty clear that Bridgend were going to pose an awful lot of problems for the home side with their powerful ball carriers and well organised and fleet footed back line. This was a step up from anything Pontypool had encountered this season. Gradually Pooler worked their way into the game and began to match the intensity of the Premiership side and show that they too had strong ball carriers and pace on the wings. The Bridgend lineout looked rock solid while Pontypool struggled at times to secure their own ball. The scrums were fairly evenly contested although if anything the home side had a slight edge. Pontypool finally got on to the scoreboard as a fiercely contested first quarter came to an end with a Matthew Jones penalty (3-3). This was going to be a close run thing.

As we approached the half hour mark, there was an almighty bust-up with players running from afar to join the party. This was serious stuff and after a lengthy consultation with the touch judge the referee reached into his pocket. The crowd on the Bank, who had not been close enough to see the incident, watched with bated breath as they awaited the outcome of his deliberation. Two yellow cards were shown to Hodge from Pontypool and Murphy from Bridgend. Then, after an almost theatrical delay, a red card was shown to Lewis the Bridgend prop. Pontypool would have an extra man as long as they managed to keep their discipline.

There was no more scoring before half time although Pontypool went close after a great break by fullback Walsh and the Ravens saw an attempted penalty kick sail wide. This was anyone’s game but Pontypool would have both a numerical advantage and would be playing down the slope in the second half. Half time score Pontypool 3 Bridgend Ravens 3.

Pontypool started the second half in top gear and had soon won a lineout just short of the Bridgend goal line. A well-orchestrated lineout drive saw skipper Rob Nash touch down for a try in the right hand corner. The conversion failed but Pooler had their noses in front at 8-3.

There then followed a strong and spirited response from the away side. Despite being down to fourteen men they laid siege on the Pontypool line. Pontypool put in a massive defensive shift as wave after wave of Bridgend attacks were repelled. There seemed to be no escape route for Pooler as they gave away a series of penalties with Bridgend declining to go for goal in favour of setting up driving lineouts. In the end the referee took action with Matthews the Pooler flanker shown a yellow card. Pooler’s response was a massive scrum on a Bridgend put in under their posts but they were soon back under the cosh. Bridgend continued to throw the kitchen sink at Pooler with excellent ball retention while Pooler defended for their lives. This was almost unbearably tense!

Try as they might the Ravens could not crack the home guard and finally with, by now, only ten minutes remaining Pooler escaped. Not only did they escape but they had the temerity to increase their lead with a well-judged drop goal by Matthew Jones. Pontypool had opened up a two score lead at 11-3.

Just as we were starting to think that the game might be won, a loose kick from Pontypool led to a stunning counter attack from Bridgend. In the blink of an eye, Grabham was over in the right corner. The conversion failed but Bridgend were well and truly back in it at 11-8 with eight minutes remaining. There was more bad news for Pooler as talisman Matthew Jones had to leave the field with a knee injury. The tension reached fever pitch as first Bridgend and then Pontypool mounted attacks. Just as time was running out for Bridgend, they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts when Pooler transgressed at a ruck. Murphy coolly slotted it to bring the scores level at 11-11 and we were going to have extra time. Bridgend had the momentum but Pontypool had the extra man - it was still anyone’s game.

It was Pontypool who seized the initiative in the first ten minute period of extra time. Playing up the hill, they pressurised Bridgend into giving away a penalty in front of their posts. Meek duly converted it and Pooler were back in front at 14-11. By now, both sides had virtually emptied their benches of replacements but it was Pooler who looked the stronger as they began to dismantle the Bridgend scrum. Soon they were back into the Bridgend twenty two with moments remaining in the first period of extra time. The ball was spread wide and Meek managed to cut the Ravens defence to score under the posts. Meek converted his try and Pooler had taken a significant step forward by building a 21-11 lead.

The second period of extra time saw Bridgend throw caution to the wind as they tried desperately to reduce the arrears. The Pooler defence was absolutely determined not to let that happen and managed to keep Bridgend penned in their own half for most of the time. As time ran out, Pontypool flanker Herbert received his marching orders with a red card for punching but by then it was too late for Bridgend. The Pooler army was able to celebrate taking another Premiership scalp and had a semi-final to look forward to. Final score: Pontypool 21 Bridgend Ravens 11

Well done Pooler -this was as hard won a victory as you could hope to have. Despite being down to fourteen men for a long period, Bridgend Ravens really took it to Pontypool and it was only a remarkable defensive effort that held them at bay. The match serves as a reality check for what lies ahead for Pontypool if they are in a play-off. Their opponents could well be Bridgend and at a neutral venue that would represent a huge challenge.

Meanwhile in the Championship both Ystrad Rhondda and Cardiff Met lost and it now leaves Narberth as the only side who can mathematically overhaul Pontypool. Narberth are now ten points behind but only have three games remaining, Pontypool have three matches in hand with six matches remaining. Two wins for Pooler would seal it.

Next Saturday Pontypool visit Cardiff Met who have proved very difficult opponents when at full strength. Pontypool will have it all to do to preserve their unbeaten record.

Congratulations Pooler on a brilliant victory. Onwards and upwards!

Warren’s Welsh Warriors Work Wonders

What a great day to be Welsh! Of course it is always a great day to be Welsh but yesterday was even better than normal. The Welsh rugby team clinched the Grand Slam, the Triple Crown and the Six Nations’ Championship with a convincing win over reigning champions Ireland. Despite Eddie Jones’ diagnosis that Wales were too tired to win and Joe Schmidt insisting on trying to drown us in the torrential rain, Wales grabbed the glory with both hands.

From the moment Wales took an early lead with a well taken try from Parkes after a precise chip by Anscombe, they looked in control. From then on, it was a matter of keeping the Irish at bay whilst accumulating points through the boot of Anscombe who was unerring from the kicking tee. Wales also lost George North early on through injury which meant a rejigged back line with Biggar coming in at outside half, Anscombe moving to full back and Liam Williams to the wing. This setback and the heavy rain did nothing to dampen the indomitable spirit and belief of this Welsh team who led 16-0 at half time and then 25-0 as the final whistle approached. Ireland grabbed a late consolation try but by then the whole of Wales was in celebration mode. If the roof had been on it would have been raised by the exultant Welsh team and fans in the stadium. For the record, the final score was 25-7 with Anscombe kicking twenty points to add to the Parkes try.

This Grand Slam unlike some of the others in the past was not built on scintillating attacking rugby but rather on rock solid defence and a tremendous team spirit and work ethic. This is epitomised by the captain Alun Wyn Jones who led by example and surely must be a strong contender for the player of the tournament. A Grand Slam looked to be a million miles away when Wales were 16-0 down at half time in the first match in Paris. Somehow with a little help from the French they found a way back and they were on the path to glory. There were some tense moments along the way but their belief held firm. I heartily congratulate all involved – you have made an old man have a powerful hangover.

The Welsh national team look in good shape with the Rugby World Cup approaching but the same cannot be said about Welsh regional rugby. Surely we must be able to capitalise somehow on being Six Nations’ champions and find a way forward. The nation has a real feel good factor about rugby at the moment. Somebody grab it please.

I did watch the second half of the extraordinary game at Twickenham. I really felt for the Scots as they came back from being thirty one points down to lead 31-38 with moments to go. England somehow managed to score a last gasp equalising converted try. It was England who looked tired in the second half as the Scots tore them apart. Italy too came close to upsetting the French but eventually went down 14-25. It has not been a great tournament for any of the teams wearing blue though.

Talking of teams wearing blue brings to mind the small matter of Pontypool’s forthcoming Welsh National Cup match against Bridgend. Pooler are hoping for a large crowd as they try to do some more giant killing against Premiership opposition. It promises to be an intriguing affair and I am really looking forward to it.

Well done Wales!

Come on Pooler!

The Win Red Line

Well another trip to Scotland is over. I feel relieved in a couple of ways as I sit at my desk. Firstly I am relieved that Wales contrived to come away with a win and have kept their hopes of a grand slam alive. Secondly I have certainly been relieved of a lot of a lot of dosh as Edinburgh and in particular Murrayfield is not a cheap place to visit. A small bottle of beer in Murrayfield cost a staggering £5.60. At least we had something to celebrate.

The game itself was a real nail biter. The first half was all Wales as they looked far too strong for the Scots to hold. Wales scored a couple of nice tries through Josh Adams and Jon Davies and really should have built a substantial lead as a succession of injuries left Scotland reeling. Wales spurned a couple of opportunities through missed kicks and handling errors which left the half time score Scotland 6 Wales 15. The home side were still within touching distance and those of us who had been at Murrayfield in 2017 and had seen Wales blitzed by Scotland in the second half had a slightly uneasy feeling that we might regret those missed chances.

Our concerns proved well-founded as the second half belonged well and truly to Scotland as they totally dominated territory and possession. Scotland spurned kickable penalties as they laid siege on the Welsh line in search of a try or two. This was real backs-to-the-wall stuff from Wales who had to withstand a rampant home side spurred on by a passionate home crowd. The Scots eventually got their reward with an unconverted try from Graham and the gap was down to four points at 11-15.

Still the Scots attacked and tested a brilliantly organised Welsh defence to the full. These were desperate moments for the Welsh fans as they watched with growing anxiety. I think that most people believed that if Scotland took the lead Wales would find it incredibly difficult to come back.

As time began to run out, the powerful Welsh tackling seemed to take its toll on the Scots and they found it increasingly difficult to get over the gain line. Indeed on many occasions they lost significant ground as they went through the phases. 

As the final whistle approached, Wales finally escaped the shackles and spent the last few minutes where they wanted to be in the Scottish twenty two. They were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts which Anscombe converted to give a mightily relieved Welsh contingent a 11-18 victory. Out came the credit card as we headed for the bar.

So now it’s back to Cardiff and the final game against Ireland on Saturday. The grand slam is up for grabs for Wales but this Irish side represents a mighty obstacle. They are reigning champions and are ranked number two team in the world - it doesn’t get much tougher than that! Having lived through the ups and downs of the first four Welsh games where Wales have blown hot and cold in equal proportions, I don’t know whether my nerves will stand it. We need Wales to play at their best for the full eighty minutes just like they did in the second half against England. A big ask but they certainly will have plenty of motivation.

I cannot imagine that there would be any changes to the team unless injuries intervene. Looking at the pictures of the battered and bruised bodies after the Scotland match reminds you just how tough this game is. It is a real testimony to the fitness and the commitment of the players that they feel willing and able to do it all again a week later.

We need one last concerted push. What we don’t need is more of the distraction of announcements followed by denials about what will the future look like in Welsh regional rugby. Whatever anyone says, such confusion must surely be very unsettling for a team preparing for one of the most important games of their lives.

Come on Wales you can do it!

It’s Tough at the Top

When you sit at the top of the league for an extended period as Pontypool have, you are there to be shot at. Pontypool visited Championship newcomers Maesteg Quins and it was clear that the home side saw this as an opportunity to establish their credentials. They wanted to topple the reigning champions and send them back east with a bloody nose. Sadly this led to a fractious encounter with yellow cards scattered like confetti and not a lot of rugby for the spectators to enjoy.

Pontypool played against a strong breeze in the first half and quickly got on the wrong side of the referee and conceded a rash of penalties at ruck and maul. The home side took advantage of this with Howe bagging two penalties to give them a 6-0 lead after a quarter of an hour.

Pooler needed to react and react they did with a well-constructed try that saw full back Morris come into the line to put left wing Thomas in the clear. Thomas galloped in to score in the corner and although the conversion failed Pooler were up and running at 6-5. The physical nature of the game and a lot of niggle off the ball inevitably led to a dust up with Nash for Pontypool and Ronan from the Quins receiving yellow cards for their trouble.

As the first half drew to a close, the Pontypool backs showed what they could do with two excellent tries in as many minutes. First right wing Lewis squeezed in in the corner after a good passing sequence and then left wing Thomas ran a good angle to pierce the home defence for his second try of the afternoon. Despite the tricky wind, Jones managed to convert both of the tries and Pooler had opened up a substantial lead at 6-19.

The niggle between the two teams continued and it was no real surprise that two more yellow cards were shown as the half ended with Lampitt for Pooler and Owen for the Quins leaving the field. The score remained at 6-19 as the half-time whistle blew and I have to confess I wouldn’t have minded if it was the full-time whistle. Apart from Pooler’s three tries, there had been little rugby played. It was a difficult afternoon for the referee with so much happening off the ball and I don’t think many people would have liked to change places with him.

With Pontypool playing down wind in the second half, you would have expected them to take command. This was far from the case with penalty and mistake ridden rugby providing little entertainment for the fans. While the spirited home side successfully disrupted all of Pooler’s attempts to score the bonus point try, they never really looked like scoring a try themselves. A bad tempered stalemate ensued with everyone getting frustrated. The only score of the half was a penalty for Maesteg Quins during a rare incursion into the Pontypool half. There were another couple of yellow cards for home players – it was that sort of game.

Mercifully the referee blew up, what seemed like a few minutes early, to bring an unedifying affair to a close. It was not a game that will live long in the memory I fear. Final score Maesteg Quins 6 Pontypool 19.

Well done Pooler for getting through a tough encounter and keeping the run going. It was a match that reminded me of some of Pooler’s away cup ties at second class clubs in the seventies and eighties where the important thing was to secure victory somehow rather than play pretty rugby. Pontypool’s nearest challengers in the Championship, Ystrad Rhondda, surprisingly lost at home and, with Narberth losing at Cardiff Met, Pooler now have an eleven point lead with games in hand and games running out for the chasing pack. Play-off watch shows Llanelli occupying the fifth from bottom spot in the Premiership although Llanelli, Bridgend and Cross Keys all have thirty four points. The season at club level is building towards an exciting climax.

Next week I am off up to Edinburgh to see if Wales can continue their winning ways after last week’s triumph over England. Many great Welsh sides have come unstuck at Murrayfield over the years - let us hope that Wales can quell the Scottish fire and set up an exciting final weekend for the Six Nations’ Championship.

While all seems relatively rosy for my two favourite teams Pontypool and Wales, there seems to be absolute turmoil at regional level where poor performances and financial pressures are rife. All kinds of rumours about mergers and transfer of franchises abound. It seems absurd that the regions’ players, fans and officials can be kept in the dark while people in darkened rooms plot their futures. I have to confess that I cannot add to the debate but have always wondered how we have ended up with two pairs of regions with bases a few miles apart south of the M4. These are the centres of population you will say but they are also the hot beds of football when many of the hot beds of rugby are in the valleys. The only answer to the current regions’ woe would seem to be a large cash injection which is very unlikely to appear so something has to be done. In addition, there is the proposed World League which would surely only lead to even more pressure of the regions’ limited squad strength if it comes about. It all sounds very gloomy but there has to be a way through it if people work together and set realistic targets. We are all meant to enjoy rugby after all.

I am glad I do not have to worry about all this but then there is Pontypool’s next match to look forward to. This the quarter final of the National Cup at home against Bridgend Ravens on the 23^rd March. This will test Pontypool to the full - even more so as they face yet another significant gap in their playing schedule until then.

Come on Wales! Come on Pooler!