Pontypool Centres Steal the Show

When I think of the wettest afternoons I have spent at a rugby match, a few of the encounters between Cross keys and Pontypool at Pandy Park come to mind. It was therefore a real pleasure to visit Pandy park on a lovely sunny spring afternoon. Conditions were perfect for rugby with a firm pitch and a decent crowd looking for some Bank Holiday entertainment.

Pontypool played with a breeze behind them in the first half but were not really at the races in the first quarter. Cross Keys dominated but failed to capitalise on possession and territory. Two eminently kickable penalties missed the mark and the Pooler defence just about managed to repel a few lineout drives near their line. The scrums were a real mess with the referee seeming to think that Pontypool were to blame for the wheeling and collapsing and awarded a series of penalties to the home side. As Pooler started to find some kind of rhythm it was clear that the home side would regret not taking their chances.

Towards the end of the first quarter, Pooler took the lead against the balance of play with a penalty from Jarvis (0-3). Pontypool were pressing a few minutes later when a scuffle broke out and the referee handed out three yellow cards – Vaughn from Cross Keys and Ieuan Jones and Pat lewis from Pooler were the recipients. It was fourteen v. thirteen but still Pooler looked the stronger.

With half an hour gone, Pontypool doubled their lead to 0-6 with another Jarvis penalty. Soon after a remarkable kick from Matthews the Pooler flanker took play from deep in the Pooler half to deep into the Cross Keys half. It was a 50-22 so Pooler had the throw in in the lineout. After a lineout drive or two, Mahoney took the ball on the burst to breach the home defence. Jarvis converted and the lead had grown to 0-13. The try was accompanied by yet another flare up and two more yellow cards with Matthews and Nicholls receiving their marching orders. Fortunately, the earlier recipients of yellow cards returned to the field at the same time or the match was heading towards seven a side.

The Pontypool backs were looking dangerous and as the first half drew to a close Pooler centre Thomas showed his pace to score their second try after some good interplay. The conversion gave Pooler a 0-20 lead at half time. The lead although comfortable was flattering as until the last ten minutes of the half Pooler had looked off colour.

The second half started well for Pooler. Early on, a break by Ieuan Jones saw the supporting Mahoney bag his second try. Jarvis converted and the lead had grown to 0-27 with Pontypool well on top. A few minutes later more good handling this time by the forwards saw Jarvis grab Pooler’s bonus point try which he converted himself (0-34).

The next twenty minutes or so were, as seems so often the case these days, were frustrating. Cross Keys had the benefit of territory and possession but were unable to crack the Pontypool defence. As always, there were lots of substitutions and the game went into a kind of stalemate. Pooler did try to run the ball from inside their own twenty two a number of times but each time, after making good progress, it ended with a knock on or a penalty.

In the last ten minutes Pontypool ended the game with a flourish. A breakout by Nove made progress down the left wing. He found Mahoney steaming up alongside him and Mahoney raced in to complete his hat trick of tries. Jarvis made the touch line conversion look easy (0-41). Pontypool scored their sixth try with the final play of the match. This time it was Mahoney’s centre partner Thomas who burst through to score his second try of the afternoon. Jarvis completed another perfect afternoon of goalkicking with the conversion. Final score Cross Keys 0 Pontypool 48.

In the end this was a comprehensive victory for Pontypool against stubborn opposition. There was plenty of exhilarating back play and hard work from the forwards. The penalty count and yellow cards are a cause for concern but the defence looked rock solid. So well done Pooler.

An unexpected defeat for Bargoed at Ystrad Rhondda has given Pooler a glimmer of hope of winning the Championship. They are only five points behind with a game in hand. Pontypool now have two away games with the first a trip to Ysalyfera next Saturday. This is followed by a match at Cardiff Met University. If Pooler can win these two tricky matches it will put the pressure on Bargoed.

Congratulations to the Dragons for their excellent win at the Scarlets. It was thoroughly deserved and should give them confidence going forward.

Come on Pooler!