Hot Stuff at Pontypool

A roasting hot day in September is not ideal for rugby but of course there are far worse alternatives which we will be seeing no doubt in the not too distant future. There were many mutterings of “I am glad I’m not playing,” amongst the fans around Pontypool Park as Pooler prepared to take on Swansea in their fist home league game in the Premiership. A large number of “Bankites”, myself included, thought it best to take the shade offered by the stand. It really was that kind of day.

Swansea took the field in blue jerseys when you thought that their traditional white would have been more appropriate in the baking sun. Pooler in their traditional red, white and black played down the slope in the first half and there was no breeze to speak of.

Pontypool dominated territory in the first half but found it difficult to put points on the board. In fact, it was Swansea who opened the scoring against the run of play with a long-range penalty from Jones (0-3). The home side struck back a few minutes later with a peach of a backs move which put Anderson in for a try in the right corner. Jarvis converted from the touch line and Pooler took the lead at 7-3.

Pooler remained on top and were attacking around the visitors’ twenty two when a pass went astray. The ball was scooped up by Swansea right wing James who outpaced the Pontypool chasers to score under the posts. Jones converted and Swansea had snatched back the lead with their only meaningful incursion into the home twenty two (7-10).

The game was more evenly contested in the second quarter but Pooler looked the more likely to score although Swansea did show at times how dangerous they could be if given time and space.  Frustratingly, the Pooler lineout was not functioning well and meant a loss of possession when Pooler got into promising positions.

As the first half drew to a close, Pooler were attacking fiercely in the Swansea twenty two. They spurned several kickable penalties as they went in search of a try. The penalty count against the away side mounted and Baker the Swansea flanker was given a yellow card. Pooler had the extra man and they made it tell as, after a series of forward drives, Matthews powered over for a try from short range in the last play of the half. Jarvis converted and Pooler marched off to the shade of the changing rooms with a deserved 14-10 lead.

The second half saw the players wilting in the heat and both benches were emptied. Neither side was about to give up that was for sure and it made for a closely fought half of rugby. The third quarter saw Pooler increase their lead with a long-range Jarvis penalty after Swansea had missed with their attempted penalty. Pooler were leading 17-10 but this was by means a comfortable lead.

Swansea kept probing as the Pooler penalty count rose. Their kicking game gave Pooler anxious moments and they had both territory and possession and tested the Pooler defence. Eventually, the Swansea attacks bore fruit with Jenkins squeezing in for a try in the left corner. Aubrey converted superbly and the match was tied at 17-17 well into the fourth quarter.

Pontypool responded well and went on the attack. Swansea strayed offside just inside their half and a booming penalty kick from Jarvis made them pay. Pooler had snatched the lead at 20-17 with minutes to go. To the relief of the home fans, Pooler spent those minutes deep in the Swansea half with ball in the hands of the forwards. Despite being reduced in strength by an injury to Sweet, the pack almost powered over for a try as the match ended. Final score Pontypool 20 : Swansea 17.

Pontypool deserved to win a tight match and the win will boost confidence after the defeat at Newport the previous Sunday.  In stifling conditions, they finished the stronger and can be justifiably proud of their efforts. The first Pooler try was a beauty and you cannot help feeling that, with a little more attacking intent, the backs could be a potent unit. Of course, there are things to work on and I imagine the lineout will be top of the list. Well done Pooler - you have a win under your belt. It is now on to two tough away matches in Aberavon with the second being a cup tie.

The Rugby World Cup is underway and France set things in motion with a win against New Zealand without playing their best rugby. I started watching England v Argentina but it rapidly turned into a kick fest with little interesting rugby played by either side. I can see how important the game was to England who despite being down to fourteen men (again) fought hard to win but it did little to promote rugby to the uncommitted viewer. I have to say I found the Last Night at the Proms decidedly more interesting and the flicks back to the match became less and less frequent. Talking of music, I have to say that the singing of the national anthems by the choirs at the RWC sounds absolutely dreadful to my, admittedly untrained, ear. Why can’t they be sung in the normal way?

This evening sees Wales play Fiji and the sofa has already been pulled away from the wall to allow space to hide behind if things get bad. This will be the acid test for Wales who I believe really do need to win if they are to progress. From what I saw of the Australian scrum against France and Georgia, it looks pretty damn powerful and will cause the Welsh unit a lot of problems if Wales are in the situation where they have to beat Australia to get out of the group.

Anyway, I will be hoping for the best this afternoon. Please do not butcher the Welsh national anthem.

Come on Wales!

Come on Pooler!