Heavy Weather for Pontypool

It seems an age since Pontypool played their last game of rugby. In fact, it is five weeks and of course when they actually got back on the field they were going to be rusty. Playing in the Gwent equivalent of a monsoon was not the best cure for rust either. Anyway Pooler were at last taking the field and even though I took refuge in the stand it was good to be back in the familiar surroundings of Pontypool Park. Pontypool were taking on Cardiff Met University who had the advantage of playing in two competitions so had played more rugby and were sure to be a handful.

Pooler played up the slope in the first half and had a dream start when a speculative cross kick from Jarvis found Walsh and Smith in tandem against a lone Cardiff Met defender in the left corner.  After what looked like a header Smith grabbed the ball and went over for a try in the corner. Unsurprisingly in the terrible conditions the conversion attempt failed (5-0).

The rest of the first quarter was closely fought as both teams tried to come to terms with the conditions. There was an awful lot of kicking but, to their credit, neither side made too many errors despite a slippery ball. The teams looked evenly matched in most aspects and neither could make any impact on the scoreboard.

As the quarter ended, Cardiff Met wing Carrington fielded a ball and, rather than kick, set off at pace from inside his own half. With the help of what looked like a little bit of obstruction he burned off the Pooler defence to score an excellent solo try. Roderick-Evans converted and the students were in the lead at 5-7.

Pooler struck back almost immediately. After working their way into the opposition twenty two, the forwards went to work. It was left to Pooler skipper Matthews to add the final flourish with a powerful burst that saw him touch down under the posts. The conversion from Jarvis saw Pooler retake the lead (12-7).

The rest of the first half was end to end but neither side could add to their tally as well-organised defences and the conditions ruled the roost. With the half time lead just five points, there was much work for Pooler to do in the second half if they were to keep ahead and somehow contrive to get a bonus point.

Playing down the slope and with a breeze behind them, Pooler dominated territory in the second half and looked by far the more likely to score. After around ten minutes, Ieuan Jones picked up from a scrum in the Cardiff Met twenty two and brushed would-be tacklers aside to score Pooler’s third try. The conversion attempt from Jarvis hit the post but stayed out but the home side had stretched their lead to 17-7.

Pontypool were now hellbent on securing the bonus point for their fourth try. The students defended stoutly and forced Pooler into errors. As always, the benches were emptied and fresh legs were brought on to the field Despite the lion’s share of possession and territory, Pooler were still finding it difficult to put together a killer punch.

Time ticked inexorably on and we all knew that every point won in the Championship might be valuable in the battle for promotion. You could sense the home supporters getting more and more anxious and that feeling would surely be felt by the home team. Blessed relief came with just five minutes remaining. The Pooler forwards battered away at the Cardiff Met line and finally replacement prop Kelleher-Griffiths squeezed in at the right corner for the bonus point try. The touchline conversion just failed but Pooler were 22-7 to the good with extra point in the bag.

Cardiff Met were not done and, as time ran out, threw caution to the winds as they ran the ball from everywhere at a visibly tiring Pontypool team. Sadly for them, this led to an error that left Pooler centre Pat Lewis with a clear run in for a try. The conversion was missed but Pontypool had wrapped up a hard-earned victory at 27-7.

After a long lay-off, this was never going to be easy and the poor conditions and a spirited Cardiff Met team made it doubly difficult. It turned out to be a tense affair and both teams are to be congratulated on giving us such a gripping contest.

Pooler’s record in the Championship remains unblemished with the maximum forty five points after nine matches. Neath still lead by two points but have played a game more. Bargoed are lurking eleven points behind Pooler having played nine games. It is still very much all to play for with Pooler yet to play at Neath and Bargoed.

Next week Pontypool entertain Maesteg Quins at the Park and no doubt will have to work hard if they are to maintain their record.

Happy New Year everyone. It’s good to be back!

Come on Pooler!