Wasteful Wales in Tale of Woe

There are many ways to contrive to lose a rugby match but throwing away what should have been a match-winning lead is one of the least palatable. This is exactly what Wales did in the Principality Stadium against Australia. Playing some of their best rugby, they built up a twenty one point lead against admittedly an understrength Aussie outfit and led 34-13 with just a quarter of the match left. They had been helped by Australian indiscipline which had led to two yellow cards, that is for sure, but still there was some impressive high speed off-loading rugby to admire.

What we do know about the Aussies is no matter who is playing for them they never think a game is a lost cause and they never give up until the final whistle. Watching from the stand, it was alarming to see how quickly the momentum switched to the Wallabies. A combination of yellow cards and what seemed to be unfathomable substitutions for Wales gave the Aussies just the opening they needed. Seemingly in the twinkling of an eye, the lead had disappeared and the players were shaking hands with Wales losing 34-39. Meanwhile in the stands, the Welsh supporters were shaking their heads in disbelief. All around there were mutterings about the future of the Welsh coaching team who had presided over this debacle.

To make matters worse, when we left the stadium it was absolutely peeing down with rain and I got thoroughly soaked making my way to the transport home. Such is the lot of the longsuffering Welsh supporter these days I am afraid. As the prices rocket, even I, an avid fan for sixty years or so, was left wondering if I really wanted to go on doing this.

I really don’t feel like analysing the match - I will leave that to those with sharper rugby brains than me. I will seek my solace in watching Pontypool which is altogether more enjoyable. Speaking of which, Pooler will be back in action against Bedwas next weekend as they continue their battle to gain promotion from the Championship.

I did get a little cheer when I caught the end of the England v South Africa test. Eddie’s crew looked to be well beaten and Eddie looked more than a little crestfallen.

It was sad to see the Welsh football team lose to Iran on Friday. They too lost right at the end but Iran did look the better side on the day. A win against England might still see them qualify out of the group but it does look unlikely. They have done remarkably well to reach the World Cup in Qatar whatever happens.

So, it’s Bedwas here we come.

Come on Pooler! 

Georgia On My Mind

Wales plumbed the depths yesterday in giving a performance that was as drab as the kit that they were wearing. In saying this, I must not take anything away from a stirring performance from the visiting Georgia team. Once Georgia realised that they had the beating of Wales they seized their opportunity and made Wales look distinctly second best in the second half. Georgia were everything Wales were not – they were fully committed, strong and fit and had a game plan.

Sure, Wales started well enough taking an early lead through two tries from Morgan but then lost their way completely with far too much poor kicking and set pieces that disintegrated. The Georgians surely could not believe their luck.

A yellow card for Cuthbert gave Georgia the opportunity to score a well-worked try of their own which closed the Welsh lead to two points. It was nothing more than they deserved that a penalty in the last few minutes from Matkava won the match 12-13.

This was by no means a Welsh second team but they were outplayed in most aspects of the game. This is the third game of the Autumn series so the Welsh management team have had plenty of time to work out some kind of game plan by now. I am left wondering what that is. Any casual observer of rugby could have told you that the Georgian scrum would be strong and that in the end played a major part in the Wales downfall. Surely heads must roll some time soon.

Next weekend Wales have to face Australia who really pushed Ireland hard. With a squad and coaching team in disarray, Wales could be in for tough afternoon. Maybe, just maybe Wales can produce a performance that will stun us. I certainly hope so but I will not be holding my breath.

Of course, rugby will have to take a backseat now with the football World Cup about to kick off in Qatar. From a rugby perspective this can only serve to magnify the problems with the game in general in Wales. I wish Cymru well.

Congratulations to Georgia on a well-deserved victory.

Come on Wales – you have to be better than this!  

Stunning Pooler Comeback After Early Bargoed Storm

A goodly crowd gathered at Pontypool Park for a top of the table Championship clash between Pontypool and old rivals Bargoed. Conditions were absolutely perfect with hardly a breath of wind and the pitch in great condition on a dry, unseasonably warm, November afternoon. This was a match that Pontypool really couldn’t afford to lose if they were to keep their promotion hopes on course. Bargoed knew that a win at Pontypool would bolster their hopes of promotion significantly. Yes, this match meant a lot to both sides.

Pontypool played up the slope in the first half and were immediately put under pressure by a Bargoed side bristling with intent. Bargoed took an early lead with a penalty from Jones (0-3) and for the rest of the first quarter they were in complete control. True Pontypool did not help themselves with an indifferent kicking game and a heap of scrum penalties but Bargoed played some brilliant rugby.

After ten minutes, Rice scored a cracking try after the away team broke out from their own twenty two. Jones converted from the touchline with an excellent kick (0-10). Not long afterwards Bargoed scored a second try when their backs broke through for Williams to score in the left corner. The try was again expertly converted by Jones and things were looking bleak for Pooler with Bargoed building a substantial lead (0-17). Things got worse when Pooler were penalised at a ruck and Jones added another three points. Pontypool were 0-20 down and not at the races as the first quarter ended

Pontypool were fluffing their lines and needed to find some inspiration from somewhere or they were in danger of being blown away by a rampant Bargoed side. The inspiration came from right wing Rosser who made an excellent break down the touchline and found Lewis in support and he touched down for some much needed relief for Pooler. Jarvis converted and thing looked a little less bleak and the shellshocked home fans began to find their voices (7-20).

The Pontypool scrum had been under a lot of pressure and had been a source of penalties for Bargoed. Fortunately, the number of scrums dropped significantly in the second quarter and Pooler were able to get a toehold in a game that looked like it was slipping away from them. A Jarvis penalty closed the gap further with five minutes to go before halftime (10-20).

Pooler were desperate to get some more points before the break and they were rewarded with a great try. The Pontypool backs moved the ball left and created just enough for Smith to score in the left corner. Another brilliant conversion from Jarvis and the gap was now only three points as the half time whistle was blown (17-20).

This had been a fantastic comeback from Pooler when the game had been looking to be slipping away from then. It was now anyone’s game but Pooler had built up momentum. This really was a cracking match so we were sure to be in for thrills and spills in the second half.

Pooler took first blood early in the second half with a Jarvis penalty that brought the sores level (20-20). This did not last long as, a couple of minutes later, Bargoed came roaring back with a try when flanker Davies was found lurking on the left wing by some slick passing.  Davies powered over in the left corner and Jones converted and Bargoed were back in the lead (20-27).

It was now Pooler’s turn to apply the pressure and they started to look more like their normal selves. They worked their way deep into the Bargoed twenty two and set up a series of forward drives. The referee adjudged that Bargoed had prevented a try being scored by foul play and had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try and a yellow card for Johnson. We were all square again at 27-27 with a quarter of the match to go.

Pontypool continued to be in the ascendancy but Bargoed always looked dangerous. The benches were emptied and it was Pooler who seemed to benefit most. Their scrum now more than held its own and they kept pressing and with seven minutes to go they got their reward. The backs moved the ball left after a lineout and a brilliant miss pass gave Smith just enough space to score a try in the left corner. The conversion from Jarvis hit the very top of the left hand post but it was adjudged to have missed. Pontypool had taken the lead for the first time and secured a bonus point (32-27).

With a few minutes to go Pooler were awarded a penalty that would surely have put the game beyond Bargoed’s reach. Agonisingly, the ball hit the post and stayed out and we were in for a tense finish.

Before we knew it Bargoed were camped on the Pooler line as they strove to snatch the game at the last. Somehow Pooler managed to get possession and send Rosser scurrying down the right wing. The Bargoed defence just about managed to prevent a try but were forced to drop out from their own line. Pooler attacked again and with the last play of the match Pooler prop Kelleher-Griffiths plunged over near the posts. Jarvis converted and an epic encounter came to an end with the final score Pontypool 39 : Bargoed 27.

What a brilliant game of rugby with the result in doubt right to the end.  Both sides gave everything in a game that had everything and was played in a good spirit. This was how rugby was meant to be! It was hard luck on Bargoed to leave with no points but it has certainly improved Pooler’s league position. Bargoed will no doubt look forward to their chance to exact revenge on their own patch. They will have two chances with the league game plus a cup tie.

Congratulations to Pontypool for a brilliant comeback. The next game will be at Bedwas in three weeks’ time. So, another local derby to look forward to.

Wales played Argentina in the evening and managed to hang on for a 20-13 win. They did play much better than the previous Saturday but the opposition was not so formidable. It was sad to see them playing so negatively towards the end as they tried to cling on to their lead. It would have been nice if they had run some of the ball that was kicked to them rather than kick it back. Still, I suppose they were desperate for a win against a team that had, after all, beaten England the previous weekend. It is telling that the accolades are given to players who make the most tackles these days.

Congratulations to Italy who beat Australia after beating Samoa the previous week. They will be a handful in the Six Nations I think.

Next week Wales face the tough and uncompromising Georgians. Too many changes might lead to an upset.

Well done Pooler!

Come on Wales! 

An All Too Familiar Story

Wales play the All Blacks in Cardiff.

Wales lose heavily - this time 23-55.

Wales try hard and hang on to the New Zealanders’ coat tails for an hour or so before the visitors run away with it.

Wales are out-muscled and at times it looks like men against boys.

Sadly, this time the All Blacks did not need to anything very special. There were no fireworks even though it was November 5^th. They basically pressured Wales into making mistakes, got into the Wales twenty two, and used the power of their forwards to create a score. The favoured adjective by rugby experts was that they were “clinical”.

Enough said, I think.

Principality Stadium Inflation watch – price of a ticket £95, price of a pint £6.50, price of a pasty an eyewatering £7.50. Hard to argue that this is value for money!

Wales play Argentina next week but I will be at Pontypool Park to watch the Pooler take on Bargoed. This really is “Le Crunch” or “El Classico” or just bloody important. I can’t wait.

Come on Pooler!

Come on Wales!