A Bridge Too Far

It was the first really cold day of the year when Pontypool visited Bridgend Ravens for a Premiership fixture. Despite some sunshine it never really warmed up and it was even cold in the clubhouse. Sitting beneath the boards showing Bridgend’s internationals I thought back to those clashes of yesteryear when both sides could field half a dozen internationals. How times have changed!

Pooler looked like they needed to warm up too as they started the match in first gear while Bridgend were fired up and ready for action. The Bridgend backs looked lively and broke through the sluggish Pooler defence a number of times in the first few minutes.  It was no great surprise when they opened the scoring with a try from O’Driscoll  that was converted by Price (7-0).

In a rare incursion into the Bridgend half, Pooler came away with a Jarvis penalty after ten minutes (7-3). It was still Bridgend that were well on top and they broke through again within a couple of minutes for Morgan to score a try that was again converted by Price. With the score now 14-3 things looked ominous for the away side who did not seem to have any answers as Bridgend continued to press.

Pooler needed a bit of inspiration and as we entered the second quarter it came from scrum half Morgan who chased a speculative kick downfield and after a slip from a Bridgend player managed to charge down the relieving kick and gather and score a try. Jarvis converted and Pooler had somehow got themselves back into a game that seemed to be slipping away from them (14-10).

There was more good news for Pooler five minutes later when a Jarvis penalty brought them to within a point at 14-13. Bridgend responded in kind as yet again their backs sliced through with Williams scoring and Price converting to make the score 21-13.

Pooler were hanging on to the home side’s coat tails with half time approaching. More inspiration was required to fire up an insipid performance. The source of inspiration was left wing Nove who made a powerful break from inside the Pooler half. Right wing Jones was there in support and he sprinted to the line for a fine try. Jarvis converted and Pooler were back within a point at 21-20. The halftime whistle blew soon after and we were left wondering how Pooler were within a point when for most of the half the home side had been well in control. Still Pooler were in with a good shout and they had to play better in the second half didn’t they.

The second half was much more closely contested as the Pontypool defence stiffened and it was hard to pick a winner. It was Bridgend who struck first with a penalty from Price (24-20) after five minutes or so.

Pontypool then had their best period and worked their way down to the Bridgend line. They won a series of penalties and opted for scrums rather than a kick at goal. Unfortunately skipper and  number eight Matthews had to leave the field through injury just at the time when he is in his element. Pooler made rather a mess of things and Bridgend managed to clear. This was surely a major turning point in the match as a try for Pooler would have given them the lead for the first time.

The narrow escape for the home side gave them inspiration and they made their way into the Pontypool half. They were awarded a penalty as Pooler strayed offside and the reliable Price converted (27-20). There was still a quarter of an hour remaining so time for Pooler to come back.

It was now Pooler who had the lion’s share of possession but they could not make much of an impression on a well-organised home defence. Any attempt for Pooler to run the ball  was immediately stifled as they seemed to run out of ideas. Finally, Pooler were awarded a penalty in the Bridgend half. Knowing that they had to score twice to win they elected to take the points and Jarvis kicked the goal (27-23).

There still around ten minutes remaining as Pooler set off to get an unlikely victory. They have done it a couple of times this season already but this time it wasn’t to be. The Pooler attacks became more and more desperate and when they broke down the home side had the nous to close down the game. Final score Bridgend Ravens 27  : Pontypool 23.

Another defeat on the road for Pooler and, in truth, Bridgend were worthy winners. Pooler battled hard and earned a bonus point but did not seem to have the tools in their toolbox to break down the home defence. The Bridgend backs played havoc with the Pontypool defence at times in the first half which must be a cause for concern. The coaches and squad will have plenty to ponder on in training next week.

Next weekend Pooler are again on the road. This time it is the long trip to RGC who will no doubt test Pooler’s resolve

Neath Prove Worthy Opponents Again

It was Pontypool v. Neath at Pontypool Park – a rerun of the titanic clashes the two sides had enjoyed in the Championship over the last few seasons. Whilst Pooler had shown up well in the Premiership after promotion, Neath were yet to win. This didn’t really matter this was sure to be a bruising encounter.

The first big decision was stand or Bank and there was a narrow majority in favour of the Bank despite the squally weather with the occasional bursts of wind and rain. “Derek Brockway said that it would clear up and he is never wrong,” said I. Well, he was wrong this time because it never did clear up for the duration of the match.

We were huddled under an umbrella as Neath kicked off playing down the slope with the swirling wind mainly at their backs. Pooler kept the ball in hand for long periods as the teams got to grip with the difficult conditions. Despite keeping hold to the ball remarkably well, Pooler could not make much impact on a strong and well-organised Neath defence. When the Pontypool attacks eventually broke down, a hefty boot from Neath sent them back into their own half.

Neath too tried to move the ball but it was almost half an hour before any points were registered by either side. The points came from a Jarvis penalty that put Pooler 3-0 up. The game was tough and bruising as we had expected and Neath were giving as good as they got in the forward exchanges.

As time was running out in the first half, Pooler were rather fortunate when the referee waved play on after what looked like a Neath player being taken in the air. Pooler pressed on regardless and were soon hammering away at the away side’s line. The Pooler forwards were not to be denied and Williams got the all important touch down. Jarvis converted and had built a useful 10-0 lead. Neath responded immediately with an attack but Pooler held out and maintained their lead as the two rather bedraggled teams headed for the changing rooms.

Pontypool started the second half with renewed energy and worked their way down the field to the Neath line. After a powerful series of thrusts from the forwards, the referee awarded a penalty try as Neath transgressed. Griggs from Neath was shown a yellow card and Pooler were 17-0 up which looked a decent lead in the difficult conditions.

Neath stepped it up and Pooler were perhaps a little guilty of thinking the match was won and there was a tremendous change in momentum. Pooler were soon under the cosh as Neath took the game to them and certainly didn’t look like a side playing with fourteen men. After a series of Neath attacks that were repulsed by Pooler, Griggs returned. After camping on the Pooler line, Neath were finally rewarded with the try their play deserved when Kneath touched down. The conversion failed but Neath were very much back in the game at 17-5. Pooler had conceded a series of penalties during the attack and Scarfe was shown  a yellow card as a consequence.

Neath were now in the ascendancy and used their extra man to good effect. From an attack on the Pontypool twenty two, they outflanked the home side for Griffiths to score in the right corner. An excellent conversion by Jones saw Neath close the gap further to 17-12. This was getting too close for comfort and there was still a quarter of an hour to go.

Pooler sent for the cavalry and brought on their bench players. This had the desired effect and now it was Pooler doing the attacking. They spurned a couple of kickable penalties to go for the try and powered their way down to the Neath line. After the forwards drove for the line, the ball found its way to right wing Jones who squeezed in in the corner for a try. Jarvis converted from the touch line and Pooler could breathe again at 24-12 with less than ten minutes remaining.

Both teams went in search of a bonus point but neither side could breach the defences. It was with some relief to those brave windswept souls on the Bank that the final whistle blew. Final score Pontypool 24 : Neath 12.

This was a very hard fought victory for Pontypool who were thoroughly tested by a committed and lively Neath team. A first win for Neath can surely not be far away. The Pooler squad is doing us proud and occupy a highly creditable third place in the Premiership defying a lot of people’s expectations. It doesn’t get any easier though with away trips to Bridgend and RGC next on the agenda.

At regional level, there does not seem to be much to cheer about that is for sure but congratulations to the Dragons on beating the Ospreys. Welsh rugby seems to lurch from crisis to crisis and gives the impression of a dysfunctional organisation that clutches at straws rather than thinks things through before acting. I get heartily fed up hearing about it. Thankfully we have the Premiership to enjoy but then….

Come on Pooler!     

Pooler Corralled by the Drovers

“It’s a long way to Llandovery, it’s a long way to go,” was running through my head as we made our way across the Bannau Brycheiniog to our destination. The magnificent scenery  was enough to lift our hearts on our way for a match against the reigning Premiership champions Llandovery. This was likely to be Pooler’s toughest match of the season – could they pull off a surprise win?

A large and lively contingent of the Pooler Army had made the trip and made the match into a real occasion. The weather was dry which was a blessing after all the rain of the preceding few days but it did mean that the pitch was slippery.

Right from the kick-off, Pooler saw what they were up against as Llandovery tore into them at pace. The Drovers’ backs looked mightily difficult to contain with dangerous runners and well-worked running angles. Pooler were lucky to just get away with conceding just three points through a Hughes penalty in the opening salvo (3-0).

Pooler had the chance to draw level with a missed shot at goal and then the home side were back on the attack. An astute kick ahead and a favourable bounce led to a try by Rees that was converted by Hughes and Pooler were 10-0 down with ten minutes or so played.

Being down so early in the match does note seem to faze Pooler these days and they worked their way back into the game. Pooler had at least parity in the forward exchanges in loose play with Matthews to the fore. At the set piece the lineout and scrum creaked a little and were  a source of some frustration. It was Matthews who brought Pooler back into the match after a penalty had given them field position. The forwards drove for the line and eventually the pressure told as the skipper powered over from a scrum five (10-7).

Whilst the two packs of forwards were battling away, the Drovers backs always looked dangerous and kicking the ball to the back three was fraught with risk. On the half hour, the Pooler defence was split asunder for Doel to score and Hughes to convert (20-7).

Pooler responded well and a scrum penalty gave them the field position they craved with the game clock showing 38 minutes played. The lineout was driven and Sweet forced his way over for a try that Jarvis converted (20-14). Just as we were thinking that a six point deficit at halftime would not be too bad, Llandovery attacked at pace again. Moments later a penalty try had been awarded to the home side for a deliberate knock-on (27-14). Fortunately for Pooler the referee did not know the number of the offender so no yellow card was shown. The concession of the seven points could not have come at a worse time and was a turning point in the game. Thirteen points down at halftime was indeed a mountain for Pooler to climb against such a dangerous team as Llandovery

The second half was evenly contested with a lot of tactical kicking and plenty of stern defence and both sides guilty of handling errors. There was no scoring in the third quarter at all in stark contrast to the first half. Hughes added another penalty at the start of the final quarter to put the home side more than two scores clear at 30-14. The benches were emptied and Pooler started to have their best period of the game as they forced turnovers and went on the attack. It was nothing more than they deserved when debutant Owain Davies, who had come on as a replacement fullback, went over for a try that Jarvis converted (30-21).

There was still a quarter of an hour to go and another try for Pooler could make things interesting and earn them a couple of bonus points. Hard as Pooler tried, they came up against stern opposition who were not champions for nothing. As the away side threw caution to the winds, it inevitably gave opportunities for the Drovers to put the match to bed. This they duly did with the last play of the game when Davies touched down and Hughes converted. Final score Llandovery 37 : Pontypool 21.

Llandovery deservedly won the match with some of their back play outstanding. Pooler never stopped trying and made the Champions work hard for their victory. It was a bit unlucky for Pooler to come away with nothing having put so much into the game. The final score was perhaps a bit flattering for Llandovery. It was a pleasure to visit such a well-run and friendly club who made us feel very welcome.

I am sure the match will be a valuable learning experience for the Pontypool squad as they prepare for next week’s home match against Neath.

Come on Pooler!

Phew, Pooler Edge yet Another Cliff-hanger

 Pontypool versus Ebbw Vale under floodlights on a Thursday evening promised to be a classic local derby with both sides flying high in the Premiership. Lots of people obviously thought so as there was a bumper crowd and the TV cameras were in attendance. This made for a brilliant atmosphere with the large Ebbw Vale contingent in the crowd certainly making themselves heard.

Fortunately, the recent heavy rain had abated but playing conditions were far from easy with a gusty wind blowing down the valley and a slippery pitch. Ebbw Vale played down the slope with the wind behind their backs in the first half and set off with a bang. It was all Ebbw and Pooler could not get their hands on the ball. The visitors powered down the field and Jenkins forced his way over for a try under the posts that Lloyd converted (0-7). They could have increased their lead further but a penalty attempt went wide.

Pontypool didn’t panic and worked their way back into the game and soon reduced their arrears through a Jarvis penalty (3-7). Both sides were now going at it hammer and tongs in typical local derby fashion and the crowd were loving it. There was little to choose between the two sides but with the benefit of the wind the visitors enjoyed territorial advantage.

As the first quarter of the match came to an end, Pontypool turned the ball over in their own half and launched a counter-attack through their threequarters. Mahoney found himself in space and showed plenty of gas as he scythed through the Ebbw defence to score an excellent try. Jarvis converted and Pooler had taken the lead at 10-7 to the delight of the Pooler Army.

The tricky playing conditions meant that there were quite a few mistakes which actually added to the excitement of the match. The visitors had an edge in the scrums and made good use of penalties granted in their favour to gain promising field position. The Pooler defence, however, was strong and managed to keep them out. Time flew by in a compelling match and, just as we were thinking that Pooler had done really well to hold a narrow lead at half time with the wind against them, things changed dramatically. With minutes to go, Lloyd brought the scores level with a penalty (10-10). Then from the restart Ebbw launched a powerful attack and were soon hammering away at Pooler’s goal line. Pooler defended stoutly but gave away a penalty or two. Ebbw spread the ball wide and a knock on from Pooler wing Price was adjudged to have been deliberate. The referee awarded a penalty try and showed a yellow card to Price. This left Pooler 10-17 down and a man short as the referee blew the whistle to end a pulsating half.

Pontypool needed to make good use of the conditions in the second half as they were playing down the slope and with the wind at their backs. Despite being down to fourteen men, they made all the early running as they strove to close the gap. It was their turn to hammer away at the opposition goal line and it was substitute prop, Kelleher-Griffiths, who burrowed over for the all-important try. Jarvis lost his footing as he attempted the conversion and the ball cannoned against the post. Nevertheless at 15-17 Pooler were well in contention.

A couple of minutes later Pooler were penalised for a tackle without the ball and Lloyd stepped up to convert and increase Ebbw’s lead to five points (15-20). Pontypool continued to be on top territorially but Ebbw Vale looked dangerous when they were able to work their way upfield through their good kicking game. This was a tight match and you could feel the tension from both sets of fans on the Bank.

Ebbw Vale prop Davies was given a yellow card at the end of the third quarter as Ebbw Vale gave away a string of penalties as Pooler attacked from short range. Pooler failed to take advantage of the extra man and Ebbw cleared their lines. Thinks looked ominous for Pooler when Ebbw Vale were awarded a kickable penalty at a scrum. The conditions were tricky and the Pooler fans held their breath as Lloyd’s attempt sailed narrowly wide of the posts.

Both benches were emptied as the game careered on. Pooler were doing most of the attacking but Ebbw Vale still managed to threaten as they pressurised the home back three with astute kicking. This is becoming familiar territory for Pooler with time running out and a try needed. They did not panic but continued to press hard. A knock on by the visitors near their own line gave Pooler the opportunity they needed with less than ten minutes to go. A series of forward drives got ever closer to the goal line and eventually the tremendous pressure told with Pooler substitute Grey getting the touch down. Jarvis converted and gave Pooler a narrow 22-20 lead.

Ebbw Vale were not going to give up and it was with some relief that with only a couple minutes left Pooler were awarded a penalty at a scrum as the Ebbw pack were shunted backwards. Jarvis made no mistake and with the score now 25-20 Ebbw Vale needed a try with little time left.

To their credit, Ebbw Vale pressed hard but Pooler were able to hold on to their lead and take the spoils in a rumbustious local derby. Final score Pontypool 25 : Ebbw Vale 20.

Phew! You need to have nerves of steel to be a Pooler supporter. Most of their games have been close this season and somehow Pooler have managed to clinch a victory in all but one occasion. This was absolutely no exception and it could have gone either way with Ebbw Vale providing a stern test of Pooler’s resolve. The conditions made things difficult for both sides and they should be congratulated for providing an enthralling contest.

That is two tough games in five days for Pooler and they will be glad of the extra days to recover before yet another tough game at Llandovery. The Drovers are a quality team near the top of the league and it will take a special effort from Pooler to get a result. Yes. I am loving the Premiership!

The latest news is that Pontypool and all the Premiership clubs with the exception of Cardiff, Merthyr and Pontypridd have openly expressed an interest in the Elite league. Of course, expressing interest is some way short of actually joining (or being selected). It is difficult to see what is going to happen next but no doubt there are machinations behind the scenes and all will be revealed in due course.

Let’s enjoy the Premiership in the meantime.

Come on Pooler!