Gallant Pooler Fall at the Final Hurdle

The Pontypool v Llanelli match to decide who had the twelfth and final place on next season’s Welsh Premiership felt like a throwback to yesteryear. It was played on neutral territory in Aberavon and the Wizards’ treasurer must have been beaming as the tills were working overtime in the clubhouse before the match as both sets of fans fortified themselves before the critical encounter. It is fair to say that the Pooler Army outnumbered the Turks considerably and were in fine form.

There will be a lot of argument as to why Pontypool even had to play this match as they had won the Championship by a street and should really have been given automatic promotion to the Premiership. Instead, rather bizarrely, the bottom four sides in the Premiership were relegated and Pooler were required to play off against the side finishing twelfth in the Premiership. This came about because of the WRU decision to reduce the size of the Premiership to twelve from sixteen clubs. I have yet to meet any rugby fan who thinks that this is a good idea.

So to the match. Llanelli had been in a rich vein of form since the stark recognition that they might be relegated. The team had been strengthened considerably by the use of Scarlets’ squad members and had led to them pulling away from the bottom. Bridgend had come up with a similar strategy using Ospreys’ players and had managed to just pip Llanelli for eleventh place and safety. The use of professional players by Llanelli clearly was going to make Pontypool’s task that much harder but they could not dwell on that and just had to go out there and give it their all. The match was refereed by the redoubtable Nigel Owens who would have the benefit of TMO to assist his decision-making.

There were warning signs early on as Llanelli demonstrated how dangerous their backs could be. Pooler could not afford to miss a tackle as the pace and support play of Llanelli was a major threat. As has often been the case against Premiership opposition, Pooler took a while to acclimatise to the increased speed of the game. They were helped considerably by an early yellow card to Llanelli lock Long for a deliberate knock-on. This gave the Pooler pack a chance to gain a slight edge over their opponents. Pooler started to put a few attacks together and wing Lloyd Lewis came within an ace of opening the scoring but the bounce of the ball just defeated him as he looked set to score in the corner.

As we went into the second quarter, Llanelli continued to look dangerous with ball in hand but were hampered by a second yellow card this time for fullback Evans for an offence at a ruck. Shortly afterwards, Pontypool hooker Hughes nearly scored following a charge down by Gregory but was held up just short of the line. Nevertheless Pontypool drew first blood with a penalty from Meek (3-0).

Llanelli came back strongly straight from the kick-off and very nearly scored but the TMO confirmed that Davies had lost control of the ball over the line. A close shave for Pooler who responded with a second penalty from Meek to take a 6-0 lead as the first half was drawing to a close.

Llanelli still had time to work their way into the Pooler twenty two and from a driving lineout that most of the Llanelli team joined they powered over the Pooler line for the game’s opening try. The touchdown was credited to Davies and with Prydie’s touchline conversion Llanelli were in the lead at halftime (6-7). It was nip and tuck with everything on the line

In the second half it was Llanelli substitute threequarter Conbeer who had been released at the last minute by the Welsh Sevens squad who was to play the starring role. Straight from the kick off he made a searing break and was just prevented from scoring by a last ditch Pooler tackle. This was a sign of what was to come.

After that early shock, Pooler did manage to regain their composure and even retook the lead with a third penalty from Meek (9-7). The lead did not last long as a long range penalty from Prydie gave Llanelli the edge at 9-10. Pontypool were still in there fighting hard but you could sense that Llanelli were getting on top. The Pooler Army who had been giving tremendous support managed to up it further to try and lift their favourites to one last titanic effort. Pontypool’s backs could make little headway against the line speed of the Llanelli defence and their opponents’ ability to slow the ball down at the breakdown

The turning point came as we entered the last quarter after a series of resets a Pontypool scrum on their own ten metre line disintegrated under pressure from the Llanelli eight. A penalty was awarded and Prydie again obliged to give Llanelli a bit of breathing space at 9-13. Shortly afterwards a deft grubber kick from Llanelli centre Hughes was gathered by Conbeer to dot down for Llanelli’s second try of the game. With Prydie’s conversion the score looked ominous for Pooler at 9-20.

Llanelli now sensed that the game was theirs and went for the jugular. Another break by Conbeer from deep was well supported and Rees scored their third try. Prydie again converted from wide out and Pooler’s fate was sealed as Llanelli had pulled away at 9-27.

Pontypool were playing for pride now and they had plenty of that. They battered away at the Llanelli line and finally they got their reward with a try from Matthews that was converted by Meek (16-27). Sadly this was just a consolation as the game had already been lost and Llanelli fully deserved their victory – final score Pontypool 16 Llanelli 27.

A great effort from Pontypool but ultimately Llanelli possessed the cutting edge that Pooler lacked. The try count of 1-3 tells the story and really Llanelli could have scored a few more but for losing the ball at the critical moment. It is no disgrace to lose against a side containing many professional rugby players and Pontypool were well in the game for around an hour. On the night, the challenge was just too great but it was not for the want of effort and commitment. The Pooler Army were in magnificent voice and never let up throughout the match. It must have shown the Premiership just what they are missing as too many Premiership games seem very poorly attended.

Well done Pooler for another brilliant season. I am sure the club will come back even stronger next term. There will certainly be a lot of Gwent derbies in a very competitive looking Championship.

Hard luck Pooler! See you next season.

The Chips Are Down

So now we know! Bridgend’s narrow victory at Sardis Road against Pontypridd means that they escape relegation and, with Bedwas relegated, Pontypool face Llanelli RFC in the play-off for the remaining place in the next season’s Premiership. The match will be played at the Talbot Athletic Ground in Aberavon on Friday evening. It couldn’t be much tougher for Pooler but as always they will meet the challenge head on and give it everything they can.

The debate will rage about the use of professional regional players to augment the strength of teams but Pontypool can’t worry about that. Whoever takes the field for Llanelli, team spirit and belief can help Pooler win through. It has all the makings of a classic East v. West showdown – roll on Friday!

If Pontypool need inspiration, they only have to look at the final Championship table below and think back to the cup matches against Premiership opposition over the last few seasons.

This makes great reading for Pooler fans with a second successive unbeaten season and a third title in a row. In any other pyramid league system they would surely have been promoted by now – ring fencing can only stifle ambition and thankfully it has ceased (for the time being anyway). As a fan, I have to say that a league size of twelve is too small there are just not enough matches to fill the eight months or so of a rugby season. The Premiership seems to have worked well with sixteen clubs so I am not absolutely clear why it needs to be reduced to twelve. As always, I guess it has something to do with money and the WRU not wanting to shell out as much cash to the community game in order to pump more into the professional game. It is a delicate balance but I cannot help feeling the scales are tipping in the wrong direction.

The Championship has been really competitive this season and Pontypool have had to work hard to come through some very tough matches to remain unbeaten. This is shown in their points difference which was +687 last season compared with +432 this season. Congratulations to Ystrad Rhondda who have had an excellent campaign following promotion to the Championship this season. Commiserations to the four relegated clubs and good luck to them for next season. The addition of Bedwas, Cross Keys, Bargoed and Neath will surely make the Championship even more competitive next season. Let us hope we can add Llanelli to that list!

Congratulations too to Merthyr for being crowned Premiership champions. The game against RGC on Friday night was almost as tough as the Cup semi-final against Pontypool!

So now the chips are down and everything rests on a one-off game at Aberavon with Llanelli standing in Pooler’s way. Can Pooler defy the odds and fulfil their ambition? It will not be for want of trying I am sure and with the Pooler Army behind them anything is possible. I can’t wait.

Come on Pooler!

Celebrating in the Sun

There was a carnival atmosphere at Pontypool Park. The sun was shining and a decent crowd had gathered to watch Pontypool’s final league match of the season. Pooler were playing Trebanos who had comfortably avoided the dreaded relegation and with another game in hand occupied seventh place in the Championship. Pontypool had carried all before them in the Championship and were hell bent on preserving their unbeaten record.

Trebanos played down the slope in the first half and Pontypool looked lively in the opening exchanges. The Pooler pack seemed to have the measure of their opponents and were soon on the front foot. From a maul following a lineout close to the Trebanos try line, Pontypool flanker Matthews sneaked up the blind side. He showed tremendous power and balance as he just managed to avoid being forced into touch by the defence to score the opening try of the match. Meek converted and Pontypool had a 7-0 lead.

The rest of the first quarter was scoreless as Trebanos grew into the game and showed not a little attacking flair coupled with an aggressive defence. Indeed it was the away side who scored next when outside half Humphreys made an excellent break and found Jones in support who scored under the posts. The conversion meant that the scores were tied at 7-7.

Pontypool had the lion’s share of territory and created a number of scoring opportunities but frustratingly the last pass seemed to go astray. At last a series of passes stuck and Mahoney was able to score in the left corner. An excellent conversion by Meek left the score at 14-7. Despite continuing to press Pontypool, only managed to add a penalty goal by Meek on the stroke of half time. The half time score was Pontypool 17 Trebanos 7.

The second half opened with a scintillating passage of play by Trebanos.  Straight from the kick-off their three quarters split the Pontypool defence for Lewis to score under the posts. The conversion was good and Trebanos were very much back in the game at 17-14.

Pontypool were stung into action and the pack paved the way with strong carries that took play right up to the Trebanos try line. Scrum half Luckwell dived over for a try from short range and despite the conversion failing Pooler were two scores ahead at 22-14. From then on, Pontypool continued to dominate territorially but could not seem to make the final telling play to score a try. A loose defensive kick from Trebanos gave Pooler another chance with Gullis running the ball back strongly and only being stopped just short of the try line. Pooler moved the ball wide and hooker cum flanker Ball touched down for the bonus point try. The conversion sailed wide but the home side had a useful lead at 27-14.

Pontypool kept attacking and pinned Trebanos in their own half even though they were reduced to fourteen men by a series of injuries. The away side had a fair share of possession and ran the ball at every opportunity but the Pontypool defence managed to snuff out their attacks before they made much ground. It was Pontypool who had the final say when, from a lineout close to the Trebanos line, the forwards drove powerfully for Ball to get his second try of the match. The conversion failed and that gave a final score of Pontypool 32 Trebanos 14.

This brought down the curtain on another fantastic season for Pontypool in the Championship. For the second successive season they have achieved a 100% win record and left the rest of the league trailing in their wake. Congratulations to everyone involved in the running of the club as well as the players and coaches – it is a brilliant achievement.  It was great to see everyone together on the pitch celebrating as the Cup was presented. Happy days!

Of course this is not the end of the season for Pontypool as they now have to turn their minds to the forthcoming promotion play-off in a couple of weeks’ time. Whoever the opposition is this will be a formidable hurdle. Bridgend’s loss yesterday has meant that the opponents for Pontypool could still be Llanelli, Bedwas or Bridgend. It is all down to Bridgend’s final match at Pontypridd – I think these are the possibilities. If Bridgend win we play Llanelli. If they lose without a bonus point or with one bonus point we play Bedwas. It they lose with two bonus points or draw without a try bonus point we play Bridgend. If they draw and get a try bonus point we play Llanelli. Don’t quote me on this though!

When we do finally get to know who Pontypool’s opponents are, the next topic for debate will be the use of regional players to strengthen teams. My understanding is that Pontypool being a Championship side are not allowed to field regional players. This was something to do with health and safety I believe in the same way that the national cup competitions are restricted to a couple of tiers. If you took this to its logical conclusion you might argue on the same grounds that Pontypool being a Championship side should not play against regional players. Just a thought – perhaps a load of rubbish of course.

Can I reiterate my gratitude for another season of tremendous courage and commitment by the whole squad.  Whether Pooler cross the final hurdle or not, and I sincerely hope that they do, it has been a blast.

Come on Pooler – you can do it!

Changing Room Chat Does the Trick for Pooler

Pontypool took on bottom club Rhydyfelin in their penultimate league game of the season in an evening kick-off at Pontypool Park. Conditions were perfect for rugby with a cloudless sky and a gentle breeze blowing down the valley and the pitch in excellent condition.

Pontypool played up the slope in the first half and the brightest thing on view for the next forty minutes or so was their fetching blue jerseys. The first half was eminently forgettable as both sides struggled to put much meaningful rugby together. Somehow they contrived to score a converted try apiece with Drake for Pontypool and Briggs from Rhydyfelin managing to cross the line. Both tries came after a series of forward drives interspersed with penalties, lineouts and scrums. Hughes from Pontypool was shown a yellow card during the away side’s protracted build-up to their try. Pontypool’s frustration with themselves, Rhydyfelin and the referee was evident and the half ended with a fracas which resulted in Hodge from Pontypool and Briggs being shown yellow cards. I think everyone was glad when the referee blew the whistle for the interval with the score s level at 7-7. Pontypool trooped off to the changing room expecting some words of encouragement while the away side stayed out on the field.

Whatever was said in the changing room certainly galvanised the Pooler players. They started the second half with far more energy and purpose than they had shown in the whole of the first period. For the first ten minutes or so, they completely blitzed Rhydyfelin with some scintillating rugby. The backs were given good quick ball and they showed what they could do. It was all about running lines and doing things at pace. First Mahoney burst through the away defence and finished with a neat side step to score near the posts. Lewis converted and Pooler moved into a 14-7 lead. A couple of minutes later in was Marcus Jones on the burst who split the defence to score his second try in as many games for Pontypool. The try was again converted by Lewis and Pooler were pulling well clear at 21-7. Mahoney registered his second try as he found yet another gap in the Rhydyfelin defence to score the bonus point try. The try was converted and Pontypool were now to all intents and purposes out of sight at 28-7.

There was a lull in proceedings as the teams drew breath and the substitutions were made. Rhydyfelin were reduced to fourteen men when Jones from received a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on and Pontypool continued to dominate. Marcus Jones had started on the wing for Pontypool but now found himself playing flanker as part of Pooler’s reorganisation but this didn’t  worry him one bit. As the match went into the final quarter, a driving lineout by the home side saw him touch down for his second try. This was again converted by Lewis and the scoreboard moved on to 35-7.

Rhydyfelin did launch a few attacks but all to no avail as the Pontypool rock solid defence was not about to let in another try. It was left to Pontypool to round matters off with their sixth try. Substitute lock Sparks made a strong burst into the Rhydyfelin twenty two. An adept off-load to Watson-Boycott saw the number eight gallop over under the posts. Gullis popped over the conversion and Pontypool were 42-7 to the good. Shortly afterwards the referee’s whistle brought the game to an end and the Pontypool faithful had already put the dismal first half at the back of their minds as they celebrated a vibrant second half.

Pontypool looked lethargic in the first forty minutes but put things right after half time with some excellent rugby. There is just one league game remaining which is the home game against Trebanos on Saturday. This is the last serious rugby before the all-important promotion play-off and Pontypool will want to sign off their league programme with a good performance and maintain their unbeaten record.

A bonus point win for Bridgend against Cross Keys last night makes it look even more likely that the play-off opposition will be Llanelli although it is still not done deal.

Come on Pooler!