Pontypool Breeze Through in the Cup

I must confess that, due to domestic commitments, I did not make the trip down to Narberth to watch Pontypool in the first round of the WRU Championship Cup. It does seem a bit strange to have a cup competition that is limited to one division of a league. I understand that it is for health and safety reasons but it was always part of the romance of the cup that the smaller clubs got a chance to test their mettle against the big boys. Who can forget Penclawdd beating Newport? – not many of the older Pooler fans I warrant.

I kept in touch with proceedings in Narberth via the excellent flow of tweets and then read Ray’s comprehensive match report. By all accounts, this was a classic “wind game”. Pooler “won” the first half 3-38 playing with the wind and then Narberth “won” the second half 21-7 when they got their turn. This resulted in a final score of Narberth 24 Pontypool 45 with Pooler scoring seven tries. Any away win at Narberth is a great result and Pooler now find themselves in the quarter final.

I did watch a bit of rugby on the TV and really enjoyed the local derby between Gloucester and Bristol Bears. It was real nail-biting stuff with Gloucester just edging it. This was certainly a better watch than Cardiff v. the Dragons although admittedly I did know the final score in this match before I watched it. There was a decent win for the Scarlets in front of a sparse crowd and a hard fought draw for the Ospreys against the Sharks. Professional rugby is in turmoil in England and Wales with the finances just not adding up. Does that sound familiar? - perhaps we can get Kwasi Kwarteng in to help.

Times are also tough in the community game in Wales with many clubs not being able to raise a team on a Saturday. For Pontypool, this meant no game against Tata Steel last weekend which is a real shame. The sad reality is that consideration will have to be given to clubs in close proximity amalgamating. This will mean that a history of close rivalry may have to be laid aside. I can only imagine how difficult and emotive this might be.

The Welsh women had a narrow victory against Scotland in the World Cup but had a harsh reality check when New Zealand thumped them by fifty points overnight. The final pool game against Australia will be crucial if they are to progress.

Next Saturday Pooler are back in league action with Ystrad Rhondda the visitors to Pontypool Park. Ystrad have proved lively opponents over the years particularly on their own patch. Let us hope for decent weather and an entertaining encounter. The Championship is going to be a close run race and Pooler cannot afford to drop a single point even at this stage of the season.

Come on Pooler!