Pooler March On

Next up for Pontypool was a home fixture against Pontypridd. The “Battle of the Pontys” was always a match to look forward to over the years with the fervent Pontypridd fans supporting in their numbers bringing a special atmosphere as they bantered with the equally fervent Pooler Army. How we have missed such games! A decent crowd had gathered on a pleasantly warm October afternoon for the latest reincarnation. Despite the recent heavy rain, the pitch was in great condition.

Pontypridd playing down the slope started the stronger with their powerful pack making solid inroads and early evidence of a dangerous set of backs. They took the lead with a Phillips penalty (0-3) and Pooler knew that they were going to have to work hard for a victory.

As last week at Merthyr, Pooler soon found their feet and got themselves possession and territory. Skipper Matthews opened the scoring with a typically robust burst that took him over the visitors’ line for a try. Jarvis converted and Pooler had struck back to lead (7-3).

Pooler contrived to get a measure of dominance for the next twenty minutes or so and increased their lead with two well-struck Jarvis penalties. It was 13-3 with half an hour played.  Pooler really should have scored more points in this period as they developed several promising positions. The lineout misfired a few times and they gave away penalties as the determined Pontypridd defence kept them at bay.

Pontypridd had looked dangerous when they got possession and in the 33^rd minute they hit back. A strong thrust by the forwards and slick handling by the backs saw Rowley score an excellent try which Phillips converted. At 13-10 Pontypridd were back in the game and looking confident.

Pooler tried to respond but drew a blank in the remainder of the first half so they retired into the changing room with a narrow lead. There was definitely everything still to play for.

The second half started in a similar vein with Pooler looking the more likely to score but not capitalising on promising positions. After almost a quarter of hour, the ever-alert Pooler scrum half Lloyd spotted a gap and was through it in a trice to score a try under the posts. Jarvis converted and Pooler had regained their ten point lead (20-10).

Pontypridd fought back and pressed hard. The Pooler defence stopped them scoring a try but conceded a penalty that Phillips converted and we were back to a one score game at (20-13).

As the third quarter came to an end, the visitors under no pressure failed to gather a speculative kick from Pooler. The Pooler left wing Price raced up and grabbed the loose ball and had the pace to beat the cover to score in the corner. Jarvis converted from the touchline and Pooler were now 27-13 to the good.

The match was far from over as back came Pontypridd and applied tremendous pressure close to the Pooler line. Pooler held out gamely for a while but the inevitable happened and Miles drove over a try that Phillips converted. Pontypridd were certainly not going away and the gap had closed to 27-20.

Things got even tighter when Pooler conceded a penalty which the accurate Phillips converted and it was now 27-23 with ten minutes or so remaining. This was going to be close.

It was Pooler who finished the stronger with the players from the bench making a solid impression. Pooler worked their way down the field and the forwards drove hard at the Pontypridd line. It was Drake who got the all-important touch down and with the Jarvis conversion Pooler could breathe more easily at 34-23 and had secured a bonus point.

A few minutes later the Pooler pack were at it again and this time it was Drake’s fellow prop Kelleher-Griffiths who got the touchdown. Jarvis converted and Pooler were home and dry at 41-23 with only a few minutes left.

A few minutes was all the resilient Pontypridd needed to have the last say in this high-scoring encounter. They worked their way up to the Pooler line and after a series of forward drives, Jones got their third try that Phillips converted. Final score Pontypool 41 : Pontypridd 30.

This was a really entertaining game rugby with Pontypridd never letting Pooler feel comfortable. The Pontypool squad really are doing the club proud as they continue their winning ways in the Premiership. Long may it continue. There is still more to come from Pooler I am sure as there are still things to work on. The next match for Pooler will be a visit to Cardiff and they can expect a tough examination.

If the Pooler game was entertaining, then the RWC semi-final between England and South Africa was anything but. England played with zero ambition and much aggression and kicked the leather off the ball. The worst thing was that it very nearly paid off with South Africa only snatching a win with a few minutes left on the clock. In truth, South Africa were not a lot better, and in both teams’ defence, the conditions were not really ideal for running rugby. It was, however, not a great advert for rugby as a sport. You wouldn’t think so though listening to the commentary.

The other semi-final saw the All Blacks trounce Argentina. With the All Blacks in their current form, perhaps it was better for Wales to be home. The final between New Zealand and South Africa will hopefully be a classic.

I’m looking forward to that and, of course, our visit to Cardiff to watch the Pooler.

Come on Pooler!