The Green, Green Grass of Home

 It’s been a long time coming but we are finally back in Pontypool Park watching rugby. I am informed that it is ninety three weeks since the last Pontypool match and a lot has changed in the meantime. We mourn our losses, celebrate the ground improvements and welcome the new members of the playing staff. This is a truly great club to support.

I took a while to drink in the scene: the Ray Prosser Stand, the trees showing their autumn tints, the jazzy new scoreboard, the beautiful playing surface and the excited buzz of a large expectant crowd. Yes, it was great to be back. Even the weather was behaving itself with a perfect day for rugby.

Pooler’s opponents were Maesteg Quins who had every intention of spoiling the party as they too must have drawn inspiration from the surroundings. Pooler played up the slope in the first half and were soon in trouble with the referee when a reckless tackle by Price ended in a yellow card after only a few minutes. The resultant penalty kick drew first blood for the visitors at 0-3.

Quins were proving a handful for an understandably disjointed home outfit but, out of the blue, Meek intercepted and ran fifty metres to score under the posts. With the conversion, Pooler were up and running and led 7-3. The rest of the first quarter was pretty scrappy with the visitors providing lively opposition for the rusty home team. They pressurised the scrum and the Pontypool lineout was shaky to say the least.

Early in the second quarter, the Pontypool cause was helped when Quins’ flanker Williams was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on that had stifled a promising attack.  A few minutes later, Pooler showed a glimpse of what they can do with some fine interplay resulting in a try for Ieuan Jones who had been having a great game. Meek converted and Pooler held a rather flattering 14-3 lead. The rest of the quarter was frustrating as the home side struggled to find their rhythm and the Quins continued to make things difficult. Half time score Pontypool 14 - Maesteg Quins 3.

The second half would surely see Pooler, with the advantage of the slope, assert their authority. The third quarter was scoreless, however, although there were positive signs as Pooler clearly gained the ascendancy in terms of territory and possession. The Quins scrum started to creak and the Pooler lineout started to function. It was also clear that the powerful Pontypool bench was going to play an important role in securing a first win of the new campaign.

On the hour, Meek slid a precise kick through the onrushing Quins defence for left wing Nove to gather and score in the corner. An excellent conversion put Pooler 21-3 to the good and the bonus point was in sight. We did not have to wait long. The Pontypool pack surged over the Quins try line only to be prevented from scoring illegally. The referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try and Pooler had the bonus point and an unassailable lead at 28-3.

It was all Pooler from then on against a tiring Quins team. New scrum half Hale, on as a replacement, showed his strength to score a great solo try from thirty metres or so. Another new signing, Sweet, rounded things off with a try on his debut. Both tries were converted by Meek to make the final score 42-3.

After an understandably disjointed start following the long layoff, Pontypool gradually found their feet and, in the end, proved too powerful for a spirited Maesteg Quins team. The new squad members showed their mettle and there will be healthy competition for places in the team as the season progresses. I say season but sadly it is only half a season with the prize of promotion not available at the end of it. Barely has the league programme got under way when we find that there is a gap next weekend. The following weekend Pontypool will visit a formidable foe of old in Neath. This will be a major challenge that is for sure and Pooler have plenty to work on to prepare for it.

This afternoon Wales play Fiji and they really do need a win. This will not be easy against the powerful South Sea Islanders who do have some of the most talented rugby players on the planet in their ranks. They need to find the same fighting spirit that Ireland showed in the fine victory over New Zealand.

It’s great to be back watching the Pooler. We are finally going again.

Come on Pooler!

Come on Wales!