The first game of 2024 found Pontypool playing
Aberavon at Pontypool Park on a cool but mercifully dry afternoon. The two
previous encounters of the season in league and cup had been close encounters
with the spoils shared. There was every expectation that this too would be a
tight affair.
Aberavon played down the slope in the first half and
right from the off they looked bright and sharp. Pontypool, on the other hand,
looked laboured and lethargic and seemed to find it hard to get going. Aberavon
had the lion’s share of possession and it was only scrambling defence that kept
them from scoring a try in the first quarter. They did however get six points
on the board through penalties kicked by Thomas (0-6)
Pontypool did begin to make some impact on the game
with their dominant scrum. This was the source of penalties and they managed to
put pressure on the visitors’ line where they had a series of scrums and we
thought they surely must score. Inexplicably, Pooler were penalised at the
final scrum and the opportunity was lost.
Aberavon were still busy and causing the Pooler
defence problems. A mazy run by Aberavon fullback Delnevo left the Pooler
defence for dead as he scored a splendid solo try. The conversion from Thomas
meant that Aberavon were 0-13 to the good after half an hour played.
As half time approached, Pooler did start to work up a
head of steam but were finding the visitors’ super quick rush defence difficult
to penetrate. Pooler were attacking inside the Aberavon twenty two when a pass
was intercepted by Carson who sped eighty metres or so to the Pooler line
leaving everyone in his wake. Thomas converted and things were looking grave
for the home side trailed 0-20.
This really was an under par half of rugby from
Pontypool and the fans were left shaking their heads. No doubt, the half time
team talk would have pointed this out quite forcibly. Pooler had a mountain to
climb to get back into the game but there would need to be a dramatic
improvement if that was going to happen.
What Pooler needed in the second half was to get on
the scoreboard quickly to try and generate some momentum. Their prayers were
answered when Aberavon made a mess of catching the kick off and conceded a
penalty. Pooler opted to kick for the corner and from the ensuing lineout piled
on the pressure on through their forwards. After some heavy duty carrying, it
was Hill who forced his way over the line for a much-needed try. Jarvis
converted and there was a chink of light for Pooler at 7-20 with only a few
minutes played.
More good news was to follow. Straight from the kick off
Pooler launched an attack with Mahoney making good ground. He fed right wing
Jones who galloped over for a try from thirty metres or so. Jarvis converted
and within the space of five minutes Pooler had slashed the lead to just six
points at 14-20.
The momentum was now very much with Pontypool as they
sensed that a sensational catch-up win was on the cards. There followed a
frustrating period where Pooler got on the wrong side of the referee at the
breakdown and conceded too many penalties which allowed Aberavon to relieve the
pressure. The frustration was further compounded by handling errors close to
the Aberavon line and let us not forget a strong well-organised Aberavon
defence.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Aberavon made
a rare foray into Pooler territory and were awarded a penalty that Thomas duly
converted to put the away side two scores clear at 14-23. Pooler hit back
strongly and were soon camped on the Aberavon line with the forwards driving
strongly. This time it was Sweet who crashed over for a try. Jarvis converted
and it was now a two point game at
21-23.
Pooler failed to clear from the kick off and Aberavon
were awarded yet another penalty. This time it was converted by Davies and
Aberavon now led 21-26 with ten minutes or so remaining.
This was so nearly a famous victory for Pontypool who
came back from the dead in the second half. In the end, they left themselves
too much to do after a really disappointing first half. They outscored Aberavon
three tries to two but conceded four kickable penalties that tilted the game in
favour of the visitors so yet again discipline was a problem
The next match which is away at Carmarthen Quins is on
Thursday evening so there is not much
time to pick the morale of the squad up
after a disappointing performance. The match is televised but it does seem hard
on the fans who want to travel to have to go so far on a mid-week night.
The elite league is back in the news with several
clubs declaring that they have moved on to the next stage of the application.
It still seems difficult for the league to go ahead without Cardiff, Merthyr
and Pontypridd. My personal view is that I wish that the idea had never been
floated but my opinion counts for nought.
I’ll just keep enjoying Premiership rugby in the
meantime.
Come on Pooler!
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