In the words of Star Trek, “It’s rugby Jim but not as we know it.” That is what the pre-season friendlies are like and so it was at Sardis Road as Pontypool visited Pontypridd for their first outing since the Spring. Pooler wore blue jerseys and Pontypridd sported a bizarre psychedelic yellow and red concoction. The match consisted of three periods and was played on the artificial pitch which was a godsend as there were heavy showers on a strangely dark August afternoon. There was plenty of chopping and changing as both teams gave their large squads the chance to impress. Yes it was difficult to keep up with what was going on.
Nevertheless, it was rugby and it turned out to be an enjoyable
encounter as the players tried to get rid of the rustiness following their long
layoff. Pooler were making the step up to take on Premiership opposition and it
showed in the first period when the powerful Ponty forwards held sway as Pooler
found their feet. After pressure on the Pooler line, Ponty got their just
reward with a penalty try to lead 7-0. Pooler gradually came back but despite
some pressure could not get off the mark. Ponty could not add to their tally so
this was the score as the period ended.
The second period saw mass personnel changes and
Pontypool seemed to benefit most from it and were dominant. Pooler scored two
tries through Mahoney and Griffiths both converted by Jarvis to take a 7-14
lead. The lead did not last long as Ponty fought back with a try from Jones
that was converted by Scrivens. So, when the period ended the game was tied at
14-14.
Pontypridd continued to dominate and a yellow card for
Nove didn’t help Pooler’s cause. A fourth try for Ponty by Nash settled matters
with Ponty 28-14 ahead with little time remaining. Pooler did fight back and
were rewarded with their third try when Moa touched down under the posts after a
powerful scrum on the stroke of time. The successful conversion closed the gap
and the final score was Pontypridd 28 : Pontypool 21.
This was a good runout for both teams and both
coaching teams will know they have plenty to work to do before the season
proper starts. Pooler certainly did not look out of place against the kind of
Premiership opposition that they can expect in league games to come. The Pooler
squad looks to have strengthened with plenty of talent on view and they will
have another chance to show what they can do in the friendly against Merthyr in
Pontypool Park in a couple of weeks. Let us hope they “Live long and prosper.”
I returned home in time for the England v Wales game
from Twickenham. This was another strange affair. Rather like the previous week
a England were on top in the first half but could not cross the whitewash for a
try. Their reward was a couple of penalties in a turgid low quality half of
rugby.
After an exchange of penalties as the second half
started (9-3), the game took a bizarre twist as England’s discipline dissolved
and they were at one stage reduced to twelve men Steward, Genge and Farrell all
received yellow cards for various offences with Farrell’s subsequently upgraded
to red for his dangerous tackle. Wales took advantage of this with a penalty try
and a try from Tomas Williams both converted by Biggar to lead 9-17.
Wales then lost the plot as their concentration
wavered and they let England back into the game. England were inspired in adversity
and the crowd really got behind them. Wales gave away a needless penalty and
this led to a huge England forward drive and a try from Itoje (16-17). England’s
miscreants rejoined the fray and Beard was shown a yellow for Wales so it was
fourteen a side. All the momentum was with England and it was no great surprise
when a penalty from Ford took the spoils. Wales really threw this away and I
guess a few people threw away their chances of going to the RWC in France. I
would not like to be in that team’s shoes when they analyse what went wrong on
Monday! It was very disappointing to see Lake injured early on in the game and
I really hope that it is not too serious. Wales will take on South Africa next
week and really cannot afford more injuries.
I did watch France v Scotland on the TV later on. The
Scots gave another good account of themselves only going down to a late penalty
goal (30-27) after playing some great rugby. France only fired now and then and
need to find their mojo quickly if they are to excel in the RWC.
So that’s another day of rugby done. A disappointing one
for sure but the real stuff starts in September for both Pooler and Wales.
Come on Wales!
Come on Pooler!
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