At last, some Pooler action. Despite it being overcast with a chill wind, we were delighted to be back in residence on the Bank at Pontypool Park to watch the Pooler take on Trebanos. It had been a wait of six weeks since Pontypool last played a competitive match so they were bound to be a bit ring rusty.
The first news was that Trebanos could not field a
competent front row so Pontypool had agreed to uncompetitive scrummaging from
the start. Not very satisfactory but we all need to get back to rugby.
Anyway, Pooler played up the slope in the first half
with the wind helping them and were immediately on the attack. Trebanos quickly
showed that they were not going to roll over and defended stoutly. A slack pass
from Pooler and an interception and suddenly Trebanos were in for a try by
Jones converted by White (0-7).
Pontypool
did hit back after ten minutes when Hughes touched down after a driving lineout
near the visitors’ line and closed the gap to 5-7.
Pooler’s lack of match practice was evident as they
struggled to retain possession against the lively visitors. The penalty and
error count were high and this allowed Trebanos to get good field position.
After a series of lineouts close to the Pontypool line, Trebanos were awarded a
penalty try which was not really against the run of play. Evans received a
yellow card and Pooler were down to fourteen men and down 5-14 on the
scoreboard with 25 minutes played.
Five minutes later the home side reached the visitors’
twenty two and substitute front rower Scarfe showed a great turn of speed to
burst out of a ruck to race twenty metres or so to score. Jarvis converted to
reduce the deficit to two points (12-14).
It was clear that Pontypool with some heavyweight ball
carrying were beginning to get on top but they couldn’t add to their score
before half time. They could expect some words of wisdom from the coaching
staff at half time for sure. HT Pontypool12 Trebanos 14.
The second half saw Pontypool emerge with a lot more
zip to their play. The forward ball carriers were regularly making ground and
the backs were beginning to gel. Early in the second half two tries in the
space of a couple of minutes from Pooler shattered Trebanos. First Lloyd Lewis
dived in in the right corner after some good play by the backs with Jarvis
adding the extras from the touch line (19-14). Almost immediately afterwards it
was Herbert driving over from a lineout. With the successful conversion by
Jarvis, Pooler had pulled well clear at 26-14 and had secured the bonus point with
half an hour remaining.
The substitutions came thick and fast and, while
Trebanos defended bravely, Pontypool were sure to add to their tally as they
took charge of the game. It took fifteen minutes before they did and it was the
lively Nove who touched down in the left corner after a text book back move
from a set piece. The conversion was missed but the lead was now seventeen
points (31-14).
Five minutes later, Nove spectacularly fielded a cross
kick from Meek and fed Lloyd Lewis who cantered in for his second try of the
afternoon. Again Jarvis converted and the smart new scoreboard flashed up a
score of 38-14.
There was still time for a final flourish and this was
presented by the front row union. Cochrane made a clean break and found Scarfe
on hand to take the scoring pass and touch down under the posts. Jarvis converted
Pontypool’s seventh try and completed the afternoon’s scoring. Full time
Pontypool 45 Trebanos 14.
Like a fine wine Pooler’s performance improved with
time. It was only to be expected that the lack of match practice would tell but,
by the second half, things were much improved. There is clearly plenty to work
on with tough away fixtures at Ystrad Rhondda and Bargoed just around the
corner. It was great for the team and the fans to get some rugby under their
belts at last. Well done, Pooler!
I got home just in time to watch England take on
Ireland. Despite being reduced to fourteen men by an early red card, England
gave Ireland a tough test and it wasn’t until the last quarter that Ireland
pulled away for a bonus point victory. If Wales can win well against Italy next
week, and if the other results go for them, they could still finish third in
the Six Nations. The Champions will be either France or Ireland the two sides who
have played by far the best attacking rugby. I fully expect France to beat
England in Paris to clinch the title and the grand slam.
There is no game for Pontypool next weekend with the
visit to Ystrad Rhondda following the weekend after. Meanwhile Wales take on Italy
in Cardiff next Saturday to bring their Six Nations campaign to an end.
Come on Wales!
Come on Pooler!
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