Sunday Bloody Sunday

Saturday morning was quite a traumatic experience. I watched the much vaunted All Blacks taken apart by an England side bristling with aggression and purpose and no little skill. Rather like Australia the week before New Zealand didn’t seem to know what to do to counter the English game plan. I don’t think that I have ever seen such inaccuracy from an All Blacks team who rarely managed to set up any form of attacking platform. With their opening salvos, England quickly extinguished any fire that had been generated by the New Zealand Haka. You could only sit back and admire it as England stormed into the RWC final.

When we discussed the match over a pint in the evening, we wondered whether we had witnessed a tipping point in the order of world rugby. Had rugby become that attritional that smaller countries could never have the depth of talent required to compete with those with large populations of rugby players? Equally did the smaller countries have the financial clout to retain their up and coming players when other countries could offer the big bucks? Was it far too easy to, in effect, change nationalities? We didn’t come up with the answers even though we had several more pints. Did this mean that we were worried about Wales’ future in the longer term? – well yes.

A longstanding lunch appointment prevented me from going down to Port Talbot to watch Pontypool taking on Tata Steel in the afternoon. With the amount of rain that had fallen, I was amazed that the game took place. I did manage to keep in touch via twitter and strategically timed comfort breaks. The final result was yet another convincing victory for Pooler with a final score of 7-59. So yet another half century of points and Pooler have now amassed 368 points in 7 matches. By comparison in 2012-13 Pontypool only scored a total of 411 points in 26 matches – it just demonstrates how far the club has come in its quest to return to the Premiership and confirms the argument in terms of strength in depth. Well done to everyone concerned.

As I sit here writing this at 7.30am on a Sunday morning, I am starting to feel nervous about the Wales v South Africa match that is fast approaching. What are our chances? So far in the RWC Wales have managed to win all their matches without looking really convincing in any of them. There have been some brief periods of inspiration when they have shown what they can do but mostly they have dogged it out. They have certainly had to work hard for their victories with last week’s nailbiter against France a case in point. The Springboks look to be a higher hurdle to try and clear than any so far. Can Wales do it? All will be revealed very soon……

…..well that’s the first half done and it is really attritional stuff from the Springboks. A very simple game plan kick and chase and wear down the Welsh pack. Wales are still in it at just 6-9 down but already Francis and North are injured. Not much of spectacle that is for sure. Wales are finding the ultra-physical Boks a real handful. Can Wales find a way or will they end up with too many injuries and get overpowered?......

……well a really brave effort from Wales in a game which could have either way. In the end the South African power and their ability to win penalties just did enough. It was fantastic that the Welsh managed to strike back with a try to equalise at 16-16 with ten minutes or so left but they could not find the score to put them ahead. It was the South Africa who won the all-important penalty with a just a few minutes left that decided the match. It was a poor quality but tense match with an incredible amount of kicking with neither side really prepared to take any risks. Can South Africa trouble England in the final? – not on this evidence. Could be four years of misery heading our way.

Wales will now have to face the wounded animal that is the All Blacks in the third/fourth play-off. This will be a really tough ask with a banged-up squad and little preparation time. It may not be pretty to watch!

No game for Pontypool next week end but then we have a double header against Cardiff Met to look forward to. A cup tie at home and then a league match away. Should be interesting!

Hard luck Wales you gave it everything!

Come on Pooler!

Pooler Look Great, Wales Leave It Late

Saturday afternoon saw us wending our way up the Rhondda Valley towards our destination Gelligaled Park where Pontypool were to take on their latest opponents Ystrad Rhondda in the Championship. The sun had finally decided to emerge and the scenery was simply breathtaking at times. The rain of the last few days had not disappeared completely and now and then it pattered down even though the sun kept shining.

Gelligaled Park is a picturesque ground in the bottom of the valley and is surrounded by trees that were just beginning to show their Autumn tints. The pitch was in surprisingly good condition despite all the recent rainfall. The scene was set for an entertaining encounter. Ystrad Rhondda had been promoted to the Championship in 2018-19 and had proved to be a surprise package, giving an excellent account of themselves, and eventually finishing runners up behind Pontypool. The corresponding fixture last year had been one of Pooler’s hardest games and even though Ystrad had not had the best start to the new season Pontypool would need to play well to prevail.

Pontypool wanted a fast start and they certainly got that. From the home side’s kick-off, Pooler scrum half Quick sent up a box kick and wing Lloyd Lewis gathered. The Pooler gasman set off on a mazy run across the field before chipping ahead for his fellow wing Thomas to gather and score a try in the first minute or so of the match. Meek converted and Pooler had a dream start at 0-7.

The Pontypool backs looked full of running and with the forwards generating good possession it looked like a busy afternoon for the home defence.  It took ten minutes before they struck again - this time the three quarters combined smoothly running excellent support lines to put Meek in for a try that he converted (0-14).

As we moved into the second quarter, an expertly judged cross kick from Meek found Lloyd Lewis in space. Lewis took full advantage and used his pace to outflank the defence. The try was again converted by Meek and Pooler were cruising at 0-21.

After the devastating start by the away side, Ystrad rolled up their sleeves and became much more competitive. A fracas saw yellow cards awarded to Thomas of Pontypool and Harris of Ystrad. The home side began to gain both possession and territory but the Pontypool defence was strong. As the first half was nearing completion, Pontypool scored their bonus point try. The backs again combined well and this time it was full back Gullis who was on the end of the move to dot down for the try. The try was again converted and the game looked sewn up at 0-28. Pontypool were not content and managed a further score before the interval when a grubber kick through by Gullis was gathered by Lloyd Lewis who scored his second try in the right corner. The try was not converted but Pooler had looked mightily impressive in building up a 0-33 first half lead.

The second half proved to be much more even although Pooler always looked in control and the more likely team to score. Ystrad were not about to give up that was for sure. Another fracas saw two more yellow cards for Gullis of Pontypool and Jevons of Ystrad. The home side were playing some good rugby and were spending a lot of time in the Pooler half but the Pontypool defence was repelling their attacks with some fierce tackling. Pooler looked very dangerous on the break and were more than willing to run the ball at every opportunity. They gained possession in their own twenty-two and number eight Jones popped up in midfield to scythe through the Ystrad defensive line. The cover defence finally managed to halt his gallop but he off-loaded to the supporting backs who combined slickly to put Jordan Thomas over in the left corner. Meek converted from the touchline and it was 0-40.

As we entered the final quarter, Pontypool worked their way down field and from an attacking scrum outside half Matthew Lewis made an excellent break and unselfishly passed to Meek who scored his second try which he converted himself and Pooler were closing in on the half century at 0-47.

Ystrad continued to attack and finally they got their reward. Pooler knocked on in their own twenty-two and the home side took full advantage. Llewellyn scored a try near the posts that Truelove converted and Ystrad were deservedly on the scoreboard (7-47)

It was left to the visitors to bring down the curtain on proceedings with another scintillating try.  Pooler again broke out from their own twenty-two and this time it was substitute outside half Powell who did the damage with a clean break. After reaching the Ystrad twenty-two, the cover defence halted his progress but he passed to Meek who found Lloyd Lewis steaming up outside him and he crossed to complete his hat trick of tries. The conversion from Meek sailed through uprights and Pontypool had compiled a half century of points for the fourth match in a row (7-54).

Both sides huffed and puffed in the last few minutes but there was no more scoring. Final score Ystrad Rhondda 7 Pontypool 54.

Another great victory for Pontypool with the backs demonstrating their scoring power. All eight tries were scored by backs with some stunning running. I am sure they would be the first to say that they could not perform without a supply of good ball from the forwards who played their part admirably against opposition that never wavered in their commitment. Pontypool are a good all-round team and look well set for future challenges. The forthcoming fixture against unbeaten Bedwas in a couple of weeks is a mouthwatering prospect. First, however, Pontypool will be travelling to Tata Steel for their next match which cannot be taken lightly.

Before the trip to the Rhondda, I did watch the RWC quarter finals. There were convincing victories for England and New Zealand but in both games the opposition did not really do themselves justice. Australia continually shot themselves in the foot against England who gleefully capitalised on their mistakes. New Zealand at times looked unplayable but I am sure the Irish will be disappointed with their showing. It sets up a juicy semi-final that is for sure.

I am now going to prorogue my writing to see what Wales can do against France. I am more than a little anxious about the outcome and its too early for strong drink – or is it?........

……it will take more than a strong drink! What an awful first half for Wal. They are really lucky to be only nine points down – it could easily have been nineteen. The French look stronger and look very much in the mood. The absence of Jon Davies is keenly felt I fear as is Navidi’s injury. Can Wales come back – it will take some effort……

……well Wales did it by the narrowest of margins 20-19 - thanks to a great extent to a French “moronic elbow”. Not sure whether my heart can take much more of this though. The French must be crying in their Chablis – this is one that they should have won. Still we can’t worry about that. Looks like Wales will have a significant injury list to cope with for the semi. Don’t mind who we play! It’s the darkened room for me and then back to the couch for Japan v South Africa.

Come on Wales but can you please stop making it difficult!

Come on Pooler keep doing what you are doing!

Pooler Thrive, Wales Contrive to Score Five

Pontypool are in great form at the moment. So much so that they were able to ring the changes and make no fewer than ten changes to the starting line-up from the XV that did so well at Narberth the previous week. This is no disrespect to Trebanos, the visitors to Pontypool Park, but a reflection of just how strong the Pontypool squad is this season.

Pontypool played up the slope in the first half on a dull but mercifully dry afternoon. The pitch had stood up well to the recent copious rainfall and there was not much wind. Good conditions for running rugby and both sides showed their intentions to do just that right from the off. Pontypool were soon on the scoreboard when a lineout near the Trebanos line saw the ball go loose over the visitors’ try line. Pontypool hooker, Ball, pounced on it for an unconverted try (5-0).

Trebanos hit back a few minutes later with a well-struck penalty from Brunton (5-3). Even at this early stage, it was clear that Pontypool were the stronger side and the visitors were in for a testing afternoon. The Pontypool centres, Pat Lewis and Mahoney, were proving difficult to contain and it was Lewis who scored the second try which was converted by namesake Matthew (12-3).

As the first quarter drew to a close, it was the centres who combined to put right wing, Jones, over for a try after strong work by the forwards. The try was again converted by Matthew Lewis and Pontypool were brimming with confidence at 19-3.

This confidence was somewhat undermined as Trebanos began to dominate possession after Pontypool were penalised a number of times. Trebanos had some nippy backs and some strong ball carriers and, after a period on the attack, Ferriman skated through the Pooler defence to score a try that was converted by Brunton (19-10).

Pontypool began to assert their dominance again as half time approached. A try by Luckwell who, as ever, popped up in support of a strong run by left wing, Thomas, was quickly followed by a pushover try by Lampitt from a five metre scrum. Both tries were unconverted but Pontypool had secured the try bonus point and a healthy lead. Half time score: Pontypool 29 Trebanos 10.

Pooler were soon on top in the second half. Within a few minutes of the restart, Mahoney had almost got over the try line after a strong burst. The ball was recycled and Clarke crossed for their sixth try. The conversion sailed wide but Trebanos must have feared the worst as the score ticked over to 34-10. The visitors strove manfully to keep a rampant Pooler in check but further tries looked inevitable as the home side played some excellent rugby.

Pontypool’s support play is of a high order and flanker, Stratton, exemplifies this. He was on hand to touch down for Pooler’s seventh try which was at last converted (41-10). This was shortly followed by a solo effort from lively scrum half Luckwell who broke down the blind side of a scrum to score in the right corner from twenty metres or so (46-10).

Both sides started to make their substitutions but Pooler continued to dominate. Stratton bagged another try which was converted by Meek who had come on as a substitute (53-10). As is now the norm, the game became a little disjointed as the substitutes found their feet. There was still time for one last hurrah though and, after strong driving play by the forwards, Meek scored Pooler’s tenth try which he also converted. Final score Pontypool 60 Trebanos 10.

Another powerful all-action display by Pontypool who put Trebanos to the sword and continued their excellent start to the season with their third half century of points in succession. Try as Trebanos might they were no match for Pooler’s all-round strength. It is worth noting that Pontypool are only one of four unbeaten sides in the Championship so there are tough games around the corner. Relegated pair Bedwas and Bargoed will be tough nuts to crack and Cardiff Met have proved a thorn in Pontypool’s side over the years. It is still all to play for but Pooler are in a good place.

Next up for Pontypool are two away games at Ystrad Rhondda and Tata Steel which will bring their own challenges.

Well I am just off to have a bit of breakfast before settling down on the couch for Wales v Uruguay. Let’s hope that Wales are as successful with their much-changed side as Pooler were yesterday……

……what an awful inept first half from Wales. Too many mistakes by far have let Uruguay believe that they can win. Uruguay did get away with not having a yellow card after conceding far too many penalties close to their try line but that apart are leading the way in terms of commitment. The second half has to be better surely……

……well no great improvement there but still it ends up as a five try bonus point win for Wales. A really frustrating match with the Uruguayans, to their credit, defending really well.  Not many Welshmen covered themselves with glory but Halfpenny deserved man of the match. The substitutes made a difference with Carre showing up well and a Gareth Davies special to end the game.

To win all four pool games is some achievement for Wales and it means a match up with France in the quarter final next weekend. Bonne chance Wales next Dimanche.

So another great weekend of rugby in prospect with Pooler’s visit to Ystrad Rhondda top of the agenda.

Come on Wales!

Come on Pooler!

Wales Have Me Fijiting On The Couch

You shouldn’t be a Wales fan these days if you are of a nervous disposition. Notwithstanding this, there are great rewards in the end if you don’t collapse in a heap. As if the trials and tribulations of the Grand Slam weren’t enough, we now have the Rugby World Cup. In the Six Nations all the games were far from an easy watch with away games in France and Scotland pretty traumatic but Wales came through in the end.

After a relatively comfortable victory against Georgia in the RWC, we had the Australia match which left me with my nerves jangling as the Aussies piled on the pressure in the second half. Wales hung on - just - and put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the quarterfinals.

Today it was the turn of Fiji who, on their day, are one of the most formidable attacking teams in the world. Today they had nothing to lose after their shock loss to Uruguay. Today they penetrated the normally watertight Welsh defence on countless occasions and but for a few forward passes could have built an unassailable lead. Credit then to Wales who came from behind twice to earn a bonus point 29-17 victory.  These Fijians are tough hombres and the Welsh players will be left applying copious quantities of witch hazel to their battered bodies. At times, Wales looked bamboozled by the pace and power of the South Sea islanders but it all came right in the end thanks to some clinical grabbing of the few attacking opportunities that came their way. Let us hope that the butcher’s bill is not too severe.

Next up is Uruguay and with a quarter final berth already assured and a chance to rest key players. No room for complacency though as winning the pool has its potential rewards.

Come on Wales!

The Beast from the East is too strong for the Otters

Pontypool have made an excellent start to the season and were out to lay down another marker in this classic east v west encounter at Narberth. It was The Beast from the East v The Best in the West in an important Championship clash. The visit to Narberth has proved to be one of Pooler’s most testing fixtures over the last few years and so it was a real challenge for Pooler following on from the previous week’s demolition of Neath.

It was a dank, drizzly day but with no wind and the pitch in good condition we hoped that the rugby would brighten up our afternoon. The first ten minutes of the match were really scrappy with lots of errors by both teams as they felt each other out. The Otters made marginally less errors and as a consequence did most of the attacking. They were rewarded with an unconverted try by Gale in the left corner when the Pooler defence for once looked porous (5-0).

Pontypool certainly didn’t panic and having won a penalty a few minutes later kicked for the corner. The subsequent driving lineout bore fruit with Ieuan Jones touching down. Meek converted and Pooler were in the lead at 5-7.

The Pontypool forwards looked to have an edge at lineout and in the loose but the scrum was proving more difficult with the away side conceding a few penalties to the front row’s usual bewilderment. Narberth seemed to be content to kick the ball as their driving play was receiving short shrift from the Pooler defence. Walsh at full back for Pontypool looked assured in defence and was ever ready to set up an attack from deep if it looked on. Powell at fly half for Pontypool controlled the game well with a blend of siege gun kicking and well-timed passes.

As we entered the second quarter, great interplay by Pontypool between Leonard, Powell and Coundley following a lineout created a gap for Ieuan Jones and the No 8 galloped over for his second try. Meek converted and Pooler had opened a significant lead at 5-14.

Another scrum penalty conceded by Pontypool, followed by an indiscreet remark to the referee, allowed the home side to reduce the deficit with a penalty by Gale (8-14). Nevertheless, you began to feel that Pooler were beginning to get a level of control over proceedings and were looking the more likely team to add to their score. We didn’t have to wait long – Meek made a break in midfield and found Leonard in support. The scrum half sped the twenty five metres or so to the Narberth try line for Pontypool’s third try. Meek converted and Pontypool could be well satisfied with their work in the first half. Half time score Narberth 8 Pontypool 21.

Pontypool started the second half with a bang. From a lineout in the Narberth twenty two, Matthews peeled around the front and fed Leonard who darted over in the right corner for his second try and secured Pooler’s try bonus point. The conversion missed narrowly but Pontypool’s lead was beginning to look formidable at 8-26.

Narberth began to look deflated despite a series of substitutions by both sides. An injury to a Narberth prop meant that it was uncontested scrummaging. Pontypool were in complete control and were keen to rack up as many points as they could. The last quarter became a bit of a try fest as the away side cut loose.

Meek who had moved to full back fielded a Narberth kick on halfway quite close to the left touchline. He beat the kick chasers with a combination of footwork and power before setting off down the touchline at pace. He didn’t need support as he ran the fifty metres or so to score a brilliant individual try in the corner. The conversion missed but the score had now moved on to 8-31.

It was time for Lloyd Lewis to get in on the act. The speedy winger scored two tries in almost as many minutes when he was given some room to work in by good passing from his team mates. Both tries were converted one by Powell and the other by Meek. The score was mounting alarmingly against the dispirited home side and was now at 8-45.

It was left to prop Coundley to put the icing on the cake for Pooler when he powered over for their eighth try bringing up the half century of points. The conversion missed but at the end of a highly satisfactory afternoon Pontypool had run out comfortable winners. Final score Narberth 8 Pontypool 50.

Another fabulous victory for Pontypool who on current form are looking even stronger than last season. The worrying thing for the rest of the Championship is there is still room for improvement as the new squad members continue blend in with the old. Of course, there is no reason for complacency as there are still plenty of strong teams to lock horns with as the season progresses.  But what a brilliant start!

No action for Wales this week in the RWC and no real surprises as the fancied teams have won reasonably comfortably. I must confess I haven’t watched a huge amount of it as it has taken a while to recover from the Wales v Australia epic. There is no doubt in my mind that Fiji are going to give Wales a really hard game in mid-week. Wales should pick their strongest team and will have to be at their very best if they are to win. They cannot afford to let the Fijians run at them that is for sure. I just hope that it isn’t as nerve-racking as the Australia game!

The next match for Pontypool is the visit of Trebanos next Saturday. Another team that certainly cannot be taken lightly.

Come on Wales!

Come on Pooler!