Welsh Woe

What an awful week for Welsh rugby! First we had the Welsh team threatening not to take the field against England as the unedifying running sore about professional players contracts came to a head. The arguments between the WRU and the players continued until almost the last minute when Nigel Walker and Ken Owens emerged from the depths of the Vale Hotel to declare “peace in our time”. Judging by the body language, this seemed the most uneasy of truces as both sides realised pragmatically that the match against England had better proceed as losing the money made would be like cutting off the supply of oxygen.

Of the three demands made by the players, only one had been fully met which was the players having a representative on the Professional Rugby Board. A second demand was that the rule which prevented Welsh players based outside Wales from playing for Wales unless they had sixty caps should be scrapped.  This was changed to twenty five caps but this smacked of compromise with no real logic why twenty five was chosen. The third demand about players’ contracts being in place and without the performance element seemed very much like “trust us, the cheque is in the post”. I can’t help feeling that there is more milage in that one.

Of course, there is still the vexed question of finance and the overall structure of Welsh professional rugby. Should we have four regions that are uncompetitive or three or fewer that have a better chance of success? This debate is far from resolved with many opinions voiced by cleverer people than I.

I am one of those dinosaurs who has not been enamoured by regional rugby but prefers to watch my rugby come rain or shine at the so-called community level. I have supported Pontypool for fifty five years and do not propose to change now. I like my rugby to be at 2.30pm on a Saturday afternoon with local rivalries very much the order of the day. The life blood of league rugby is promotion and relegation and when jeopardy is removed by ringfencing there is a negative effect. The idea of a ten club, ringfenced Premiership that has been suggested is therefore an anathema to me. Jeopardy aside, how does a team survive on nine home games a season? How satisfied is someone playing the game he loves with eighteen games in an eight month season? Of course, you will think I am a Pontypool fan and I would say that. Pooler are an ambitious club and there is nothing wrong with that. Too long they have been denied their opportunity to play in the Premiership. Please do not take that away again - there must be room for ambition surely.

Throughout the current controversy I have heard little reference to the rugby fans and what they want. Remember no paying customers no professional game.

It is in this context that Wales had to take the field against England in the Principality Stadium. The game was also second on the afternoon’s bill behind a cracking game between Italy and Ireland. On paper this should have been a comfortable victory for world number one Ireland but the resurgent Italians were having none of it. Italy are playing great, entertaining rugby at the moment. They move the ball at every opportunity and play a high-risk high-speed game that is fantastic to watch. Naturally it does go wrong at times and against a pragmatic, well-drilled side like Ireland they can come to grief. Italy pushed Ireland all the way but in the end the Irish took the spoils.

In contrast, the match between Wales and England was a turgid affair with loads and loads of kicking. The problem for Wales was that their kicking was not as good as England’s. Virtually every Welsh kick seemed to find its way into the welcoming arms of Steward the English fullback who barely had to move to receive the ball. Wales seemed to be banging their head against a brick wall and were unaware of the damage it was doing to their prospects.

England prospered on the back of Welsh mistakes and there were plenty of them. With a bit more ambition, England would surely have scored more than eight points in a one-sided first half. An interception try by Rees Zammit even gave a very temporary 10-8 lead to Wales early in the second half. The England response was swift and they regained the lead through a try from Sinckler. From then on, they never looked like losing it as their powerful defence stifled all of what Wales could muster.

Wales did stay in touch at 10-15 for most of the second half but a try from Lawrence near the end put the game beyond doubt at 10-20. Fortunately for Wales, Farrell had an off day with his kicking or the margin of defeat would have been greater. Apart from a few young players gaining valuable experience, I find it hard to find much positive about the Welsh performance. Compared to the Italians it is like watching the game played in slow motion.

This leaves Wales with nul points and sitting alone at the bottom of the table. With away games against France and Italy to come, you would not bet against the wooden spoon. It is not a great time to be a Welsh fan that is for sure. Very much a week to try and forget.

Next Saturday Pooler are back in action and are playing at Trebanos and know that they must not take their opponents lightly. Although Pooler top the Championship table, they cannot afford any slip-ups with Neath and Bargoed still lurking just behind them.

Come on Pooler!

Nil desperandum Wales – it can only get better can’t it?   

Pooler Edge a Championship Showdown

There seems to be nothing but bad news about Welsh rugby at the moment. The situation both on and off the field is a real cause for concern and you feel that the rugby world looks on in disbelief at the shambles that has been created. It was therefore with great joy that I felt the tingle of excitement as I arrived at the Gnoll in Neath yesterday. Here at least we could get away from the madness and watch a truly competitive match with something tangible at stake. Unbeaten Pooler were taking on Neath who occupied second place in the Championship with the winners putting themselves in a really strong position for securing promotion and winning the title.

It was like old times as the familiar old ground filled up with expectant and vociferous fans of both persuasions. It was a dull afternoon with a strong, chill breeze blowing towards the clubhouse end of the ground. Pontypool kicked off with first use of the breeze and within a minute or so Neath wing Griffiths made a dangerous tackle on Walsh from Pontypool and received a yellow card. A rather drunken ball flight from the penalty kick from Jarvis just made it over the bar and it was 0-3 before anyone had time to draw breath.

Pontypool did most of the early attacking and a few minutes later doubled their lead with another penalty from Jarvis (0-6). Pooler continued to press hard on the Neath line as they quickly gained the ascendancy. They were perhaps a little too eager and a spilled pass was seized upon by Neath and gave Neath their first foray into Pooler territory. Pooler transgressed at a breakdown and Williams kicked the penalty (3-6).

This score seemed to galvanise Neath and  Pooler gave away a few penalties as the pressure told. Neath had a strong driving maul and an impressive lineout and used both to good effect as they turned the screw. A try seemed inevitable and it was scored by Neath No 8 Griggs who had made several powerful carries. The try was converted by Williams and Neath led 10-6 as the first quarter ended.

Pooler responded well and had a valuable weapon in their scrum which had the edge over the Neath eight. They again forced their way back up field and were hammering away in the Neath twenty two.  Some slick passing from the half backs and forwards saw a gap created for Lloyd to force his way over the line for a much needed try for the away team. The try was converted by Jarvis and Pooler were back in front at 10-13.

With the breeze at their backs in the first half, you really felt that Pontypool needed to build a bigger cushion before the teams changed ends. They pressed hard but time was running out as they pinned Neath back into their own twenty two. Their cause was assisted by a yellow card for ex Welsh international Aled Brew from Neath for an offence at a breakdown near the Neath line. As time was running out in the first half, Pontypool had a series of five metre scrums with Neath giving away penalties. The referee finally lost patience with the home side and awarded a penalty try to Pontypool (10-20) and that was the last action in a pulsating first half.

Pontypool had built a ten point lead but the half time debate in the stand was about whether it was sufficient with Pooler facing the breeze in the second half. It was going to be a close run thing that was for sure.

As you might expect, Neath came out of the changing rooms with fire in their bellies and were quickly on the attack. Pooler found it difficult to clear their lines against the wind and soon lost Lloyd to a yellow card for transgressing at a ruck. Neath took full advantage of this and Brew showed his power to surge over the line for a try that was converted by Williams. It was 17-20 with half an hour left and Pooler needed to respond.

The response came quickly as Pooler club captain Matthews entered the fray from the bench. Within minutes of his arrival he forced his way over for a vital try for Pooler after strong work from the pack. The conversion failed but the away side had a two score lead at 17-25 but it was still very much all to play for.

The next fifteen minutes were scoreless but the rugby was intense with the Pontypool defence having to work hard to keep Neath out. Both teams emptied their benches as the battle continued. Now and then Pooler broke out and threatened to score but it was Neath with the breeze at their backs who had the lion’s share of territory.

Pontypool were giving away penalties at the breakdown and this was giving Neath opportunities but desperate defence from Pooler kept them at bay. The clock seemed to be moving incredibly slowly for the anxious Pooler fans but finally we got to the last few minutes of normal time. Neath were awarded a penalty and knowing that they had to score twice went for goal but the attempt went wide. Moments later they had another shot at goal and this time Harris converted (20-25).

Virtually from the kick-off Herbert forced a turnover at a ruck in front of the Neath posts. To the great relief of the Pooler fans, Jarvis made no mistake from the tee and the vital eight point lead was restored (20-28).

We were in time added on now but there was still time for Neath to be awarded another penalty at a breakdown in the Pooler half and to make matters worse Lewis was given a yellow card. Harris thumped the ball over and Pooler’s lead had been trimmed to five points again (23-28).

The referee still found some time to keep the game going and Neath threw caution to the winds and attacked from deep in their twenty two. The Pooler defence was not about to let this game slip from their grasp and held firm. Final score Neath 23 : Pontypool 28.

Wow what a game! On balance I think Pooler did enough to deserve to win but will rue a few scoring chances that went begging and a high penalty count. Neath were everything we expected and gave Pooler their toughest test of the season. It was a game that was surely Premiership standard in front of a good crowd. It would be a crying shame if these two teams do not gain promotion. They will meet again in a few weeks in the semi-final of the Championship Cup – another spikey encounter for sure!

Next up for Pontypool is Trebanos away on March 4^th which starts a run of away fixtures. The Championship race is far from over but Pooler are in the box seat but there is certainly no room for complacency.

Next Saturday Wales may or may not take on England at the Principality Stadium. That it has got to the stage that the players are driven towards strike action is quite frankly ridiculous. For pity’s sake we need to find a solution and quickly. As Canned Heat would have it, “Let’s Work Together”.  

Well done Pooler on a fantastic performance!

Come on Wales sort things out! 

Pooler Stay Top, Wales Flop

Pontypool entertained Narberth at Pontypool Park and needed a win to increase their narrow lead over Neath at the top of the Championship. Despite the attraction of the Ireland v France match on the TV, a decent crowd gathered on a grey February afternoon.

Proceedings commenced with a well-deserved tribute by Peter Jeffreys to Tony “Charlie” Faulkner who had passed away during the week. Charlie was one of Pooler’s stalwarts during the golden years and formed part of the famed Pontypool Front Row who played so successfully for Wales en bloc. Charlie was one of life’s great characters as well as being a top class rugby player and he will be sorely missed. My condolences to the family. RIP Charlie.

Pontypool chose to play up the slope and against a breeze in the first half and started strongly. Within a few minutes, they were hammering away at the Narberth line. After the forwards had had their say, the ball was moved left for Smith to touch down in the corner. A difficult conversion slid wide but it was first blood to Pooler (5-0).

After this early reverse, Narberth showed why they are near the top of the league and more than matched Pooler. Their kicking game used the wind cleverly and pinned Pooler back whenever the home team attacked. Pooler again conceded too many penalties and, just before the end of the first quarter, Gale took advantage of one with a successful kick at goal (5-3).

As we moved into the second quarter, Pooler ran the ball from their own line. They were guilty of trying to over play and the ball went loose. Narberth scrum half Thomas scooped up the ball and sped over for a try. Gale converted and Narberth held a five point lead (5-10).

Pontypool were finding it hard going against lively opposition but responded well. A line break from Price was supported by Lewis who powered over for a much needed try. The successful conversion from Jarvis put Pooler back in the lead (12-10).

Pooler continued to leak penalties and Gale made them pay. Two more successful penalty kicks put Narberth 12-16 in the lead with time running out in the first half. Pontypool bounced back again and worked their way up to the Narberth line. All of a sudden, the Narberth defence parted like the Red Sea did for Moses and Jarvis strolled through for a try under the posts that he converted himself. Pooler were back in the lead at 19-16 but were far from comfortable as they retired to the changing room for the half time break.

Pontypool had the benefit of the slope and the breeze in the second half but knew they had to raise their game to overcome a doughty Narberth team. Within five minutes, they had secured the bonus point with their fourth try. This time it was Matthews who powered over from short range and, with the conversion from Jarvis, Pooler had a bit of breathing space at 26-16.

Ten minutes later Herbert was in support of some great work by the backs to score Pooler’s fifth try and with the conversion increased the home side’s lead further (33-16). Shortly afterwards, there was even more pain for Narberth as a short range Pontypool lineout drive powered over their try line with Price touching down for the try that was again converted by Jarvis (40-16). Worryingly for Pontypool, with the crucial encounter with Neath just a week away, Jarvis limped off with an ankle injury.

Narberth showed their fighting spirit  and hit back with a second try from Thomas that was converted by Gale with about fifteen minutes remaining (40-23). Narberth continued to attack but the Pontypool defence scrambled well to keep them out.

As the match went into the final few minutes, Pontypool went back on the attack as Narberth tired. Some great combined play by forwards and backs gave Nove the hint of a gap and he needed no second invitation to touch down. Langdon converted and any hope of a Narberth comeback was quashed (47-23). To make matters worse there was a yellow card for Jones from Narberth.

With the last play of the match, Pooler attacked from deep in their half. A kick ahead from Powell bounced awkwardly for the defence and Powell was on hand to gather and score Pooler’s eighth try. The conversion from Langdon brought up the half century and marked the end of the match. Final score Pontypool 54 : Narberth 23.

Matches between Pontypool and Narberth are usually high scoring affairs and this was no exception. Narberth gave Pooler as good as they got in the first half but Pooler were able to put the game to bed with a powerful display in the second half. The score line was perhaps a little flattering for Pontypool and to their credit Narberth continued to fight to the end.

Next week Pontypool face the daunting challenge of a trip to the Gnoll and a crunch encounter with Neath. Neath have only lost twice (to Pontypool and to Bargoed both away) and are in second place in the Championship just seven points behind Pontypool. Pooler will need to be at their very best if they are to get a result.

I managed to get home and plonk myself on the couch in time for the Scotland v Wales match from Murrayfield. In retrospect, it would have been better to stay in Pontypool Park and hug a few trees.  Wales ended up at the wrong end of a walloping (35-7) against a rampant Scottish team with Finn Russell in prime form. Much of the pain was of Wales’ own making with far too many turnovers and missed tackles. They did have the better of the first half in terms of possession and territory but contrived to find many different ways of not scoring. The second half, however, was all Scotland with Russell pulling the strings and I was mighty glad when the final whistle blew to end the pain. Hopefully the young men in the Welsh pack will have learnt from a salutary afternoon and be the better for it.

I am not sure where Wales go from here with the home match against England only a couple of weeks  away. Gatland and co have some deep thinking to do if they are to turn the sorry bunch that trooped off the field into a fighting force. Finding the right blend of youth and experience is proving immensely difficult. Welsh rugby is in a sorry state at the moment.

In Dublin the Irish triumphed over the French in what appears to be a high-octane clash. So, it will be Scotland taking on Ireland for the Triple Crown. The Irish do look unstoppable but with the Scots in this mood you never know.

I am really glad that I can still watch club rugby in the Championship and matches like the one next Saturday when Pontypool take on Neath. Please Mr. Walker do not remove the prospect of promotion from Championship to Premiership.

Come on Pooler!    

Irish Storm Hits Cardiff

We are well used to Wales starting the Six Nations Championship slowly. Sometimes they get away with it and eke out a win if the opposition is not too stiff. In some years this has even led to grand slams. A slow start just won’t do against Ireland in this kind of form. Ireland are not ranked number one in the world for nothing and their demolition job on Wales in the first half in this year’s opener showed pace and power that Wales could not remotely handle. It soon had me hiding behind the couch as any sort of winning score for the Irish seemed possible.

As it transpired, Wales were losing 3-27 at the interval with no real prospect of victory. It is hard to single out particular players for criticism as the whole Welsh team looked shell-shocked and off the pace. For the Irish, it was a consummate team performance of the kind that had so upset the All Blacks in the summer.

Thank goodness the second half showed a marked improvement for Wales and an Irish team that rather took its foot off the gas. Wales huffed and puffed and created many scoring chances but made mistakes at critical junctures with the lineout one key area that needs urgent improvement. We began to see some signs of life with Liam Williams prominent in defence and attack and new boy Hawkins showing promise.

Indeed, it was Williams who scored Wales’ solitary try after a nice move from the backs. It was also in Williams’ absence for a rather marginal yellow card that Ireland scored their only points of the second half with a try to clinch their bonus point.

Yes, the second half was a 7-7 draw which hardly seemed likely after the first half. Wales had blown chances to score too and could have closed the gap further with a bit more poise. You were however left with the nagging feeling that the Irish could have stepped step up a gear if they felt they had to. As it was, the Irish left Cardiff with a 10-34 bonus point victory and in good shape for taking on the French in Dublin next week.

As for Wales, they will face the rather daunting prospect of a visit to Edinburgh to face a Scottish team brimming with confidence. Yes, Scotland got the better of England at Twickenham in an exciting encounter that had the result in doubt right to the end. The Scots looked devastating in attack at times and got their noses in front in the last few minutes to clinch the Calcutta Cup. England looked lively too and will test their future opposition (including Wales) to the full. They can only improve under Borthwick’s tutelage

Warren Gatland and his coaching team will have to put on their thinking caps to put together a team to challenge Scotland. The policy of picking lots of tried and tested old heads was not really a success so more young players should get the call to try and spice things up. There is surely nothing to lose now. Replacements for North, Biggar and Alun Wyn Jones might be a good place to start.

Pooler Turn Keys Over

A drizzly, mild Friday evening saw Pontypool take on Cross Keys at Pontypool Park.  The enthusiasm of a good crowd was certainly not dampened as Pooler took on the side occupying fourth place in the Championship table. It was like old times with the floodlights blazing which gives the Park a special atmosphere.
Pontypool played down the slope in the first half and from the off dominated proceedings. It took only four minutes for them to score their first try. Good passing by the backs produced a gap for  Langdon to force his way over. Jarvis converted and Pooler looked hungry for more (7-0).
More came soon after when a delicate kick by Walsh was grabbed by Powell and the winger crossed for a try in the right corner. An excellent conversion from Jarvis and Pooler were 14-0 to the good. Pooler were bossing the game and were playing with passion even if their handling let them down at times. Cross Keys were mostly on the defensive as their occasional forward drives were stopped on the gain line by an uncompromising home defence.

Pooler scored their third try as the first quarter ended. This time it was an unstoppable forward drive that saw Lloyd touch down. Jarvis again added the extras and the Pooler lead was now 21-0.

Pooler now went in search for the bonus point try and it came five minutes or so later when Powell was put in for his second try of the evening after some good offloading by the backs. The conversion from Jarvis gave Pooler an impressive 28-0 lead.

There was still time for Pooler to add a fifth try in a productive first half. Another powerful forward drive from a lineout saw Lloyd touch down for his second try of the evening. Jarvis continued his impeccable goal kicking and the score was 35-0 as the players made their way to the changing rooms.
The second half turned out to be a frustrating affair. Pontypool were guilty of making far too many handling errors to maintain continuity to their game. From a catalogue of such errors, Cross Keys got on the scoreboard with a try from Gregory that was converted by Tetley (35-7).
The game became far more even as Cross Keys stepped up their efforts as the home side continued to turn the ball over. It was with some relief that, after fifteen minutes, Pooler finally got their act together and Nove powered over after some forceful work by the forwards. Jarvis converted and Pooler had restored their large lead (42-7).
The game drifted on until the last ten minutes when the referee's pocket took a hammering as Cross Keys lost their discipline. Bartlett and, shortly afterwards, Lampard were shown yellow cards and Keys were down to thirteen men. Pooler took advantage of the situation when Lewis jinked his way over for their seventh try with Jarvis again successful from the kicking tee (49-7).
As the match drew to a close, there was further yellow card for the away team when Cornock received his marching orders after a late tackle. Not long after, Piper from Pontypool had a yellow card and Vaughn for Keys had a red card after a dust up. Shortly afterwards, the referee decided to call a halt on what was beginning to become a farce. Final score Pontypool 49 : Cross Keys 7.
A great first half display from Pontypool virtually put the game to bed as they secured a large lead and a bonus point. The second half proved to be an anticlimax as the error count grew alarmingly and Pooler were unable to press home their advantage. Cross Keys made it much more of a contest in the second half until their discipline really let them down in the final ten minutes. Still Pooler achieved their objective and earned five points which consolidated their position at the top of the Championship.
Next match for Pontypool will be Narberth at home next Saturday with an early kickoff as Wales will be playing in Scotland that afternoon. Wales, of course, will take on Ireland this afternoon and hopefully they can give the match full concentration in these troubled times for the WRU. They will certainly need to!
Come on Wales!
Come on Pooler!