Second Half Surge Seals Pooler Victory

Easter seems to have crept up out of nowhere. As we stood on the Bank at Pontypool Park that was bathed in sunshine, we reminisced about Easters gone by when Pontypool played as many as four games in five days . It seems hardly credible that so much rugby was played in such a short time period with rugby tours being the order of the day. The match against London Welsh in particular used to draw a large crowd to Pontypool Park.

Those days are long gone and we had a home fixture against Bridgend as the only Easter fare. We were hoping that Pooler could build on last week’s victory at Neath and avenge their narrow defeat at the Brewery Field earlier in the season.

Bridgend kicked off playing down the slope and were quickly into their stride. Their backs looked sharp and cut the Pooler defence a couple of times but it was the forwards who  put the first points on the scoreboard. Less than five minutes had gone when a lineout drive was clinically executed with Bridgend hooker Yardley to touching down for a try. Hodgkins converted and yet again Pooler were starting sluggishly (0-7).

Pooler rallied quickly and just a few minutes later were in the Bridgend twenty-two. Bridgend conceded a penalty and ever alert scrum half Lloyd took a quick tap and the ball was moved to Marcus Jones who powered over the line. Jarvis converted and Pooler were level (7-7). Sadly, Jones was injured in the act of scoring and was replaced by Harry Jarvis who was making his debut.

The rest of the first half was evenly contested as both sides set out to play open rugby. The away backs looked dangerous but several promising moves broke down with handling errors as the Pooler defence closed in. For Pooler the forwards were to the fore with the back row looking particularly lively. The pitch was a little slippery after the recent monsoon which did make quick changes of direction a bit precarious.. Both sides created good attacking positions but the only further score of the first half was a penalty from Jarvis which gave Pooler a narrow half time lead (10-7).

It had been an entertaining first half with the match evenly contested but a feeling that the Pooler forwards were beginning to get on top.

It was the home side that immediately took the initiative in the second half. A penalty from Jarvis increased their lead to 13-7 in the first couple of minutes. Pooler soon worked their way back down the field and into the Bridgend  twenty-two. The forwards hammered away and eventually the away side’s defence cracked and Sweet touched down for a try. Jarvis converted and Pooler had built a useful lead at 20-7.

Bridgend were swift to counter but tried to smash their way through the Pooler defence rather than use guile. The Pooler defence seemed more comfortable with this and looked rock solid. Pooler looked to have more teeth in attack. As the third quarter came to an end, Pooler struck again. They again worked their way down field with purpose and finally breached some brave goal-line defence when scrum half Lloyd touched down for their third try of the afternoon. Jarvis converted and the 27-7 lead looked enough to clinch the win.

Pooler were looking well on top and were now seeking the bonus point try. The all-action flanker Herbert made a great break and after running thirty metres or so fed the supporting Mahoney who dived over the line to score the all-important fourth try. Jarvis converted and Pooler were now 34-7 to the good with ten minutes or so remaining.

Pontypool were not finished and piled more misery on to Bridgend. They had a lineout close to the Bridgend line in Goff’s corner. A short throw and a front peel saw hooker Scarfe force his way over in the corner for Pooler’s fifth try. The conversion failed but the lead had now grown to 39-7 with very little time remaining.

Bridgend had certainly not given up and their backs showed just how dangerous they could be when Howley scoring a late consolation try from a sweeping passage of play. Hodgkins converted with the last act of the game. Final score Pontypool 39 : Bridgend Ravens 14.

In the end this was a resounding victory for Pontypool after a very competitive first half. It was the Pooler forwards who held sway after the interval with a very vibrant performance in the loose with the back-row and hooker Scarfe to the fore. They were probably conceding weight to the opposition but revelled in the dry conditions. It was also pleasing to see that the discipline had improved considerably with far few penalties conceded. All in all, a very satisfactory afternoon – well done everybody. Congratulations also to Harry Jarvis who looked a very lively performer on debut.

Next match for Pontypool is a home game against RGC next Saturday. Pooler find themselves in a creditable sixth place in the Premiership with fifth place within their grasp. Making the play-off is now probably beyond them but is still mathematically possible with four games remaining.

Come on Pooler!

Thrills and Spills as Pooler Take the Spoils at the Gnoll

Pontypool were back in action after the Six Nations Championship with a visit to the Gnoll in Neath. Watching Pooler in 2024 seems to have been severely rationed so it was good to get back to it on a bright sunny day after the trauma of a distinctly underwhelming set of Welsh defeats. Bright and sunny it might have been but there was a keen edge to the wind.

It was Neath that made the early running and soon left wing Griffiths was haring down the touchline from his own twenty two. The Pooler defence finally managed to pull him down but in the ensuing breakdown they transgressed and Williams kicked the penalty to give the home side a 3-0 lead with only a few minutes played.

Pooler got into their stride a lot quicker than in some of matches of late and played some good positive attacking rugby. Backs and forwards combined and eventually Mahoney saw a gap and powered through to score. Jarvis converted and Pooler took the lead (3-7)

Back came Neath and centre Charles bumped off would-be tacklers galore as he raced to score under the posts. With the conversion from Williams, Neath were back in the lead (10-7). The game had the look of an open entertaining encounter with both sides willing to throw the ball about.

A critical moment came just before the half hour when the first scrum took place. It was immediately clear that Pooler held the whip-hand in this phase. A series of scrums led to a series of penalties as Pooler pressurised the Neath line. Eventually the referee had seen enough and awarded Pooler a penalty try. As the players disentangled themselves, there was some skulduggery from Neath prop Powell. This was spotted by the officials and led to a red card (10-14).

Pooler took full advantage of Neath’s reduction to fourteen players when a couple of minutes later Herbert drove over after powerful carrying by the Pooler pack from a lineout in the home twenty-two. Jarvis converted and things were looking rosy for Pontypool at 10-21.

Did Pooler relax or did Neath step up their game – possibly a bit of both – but suddenly the game turned on its head. The Neath number 8, Morgan, brushed weak Pooler tackling aside to power over the try line from at least twenty metres. Williams converted and there was a distinct feeling that the momentum had switched to the home side (17-21).

Minutes later, the home side were attacking down the left side again and nearly scored. This time the referee felt that Matthews had unfairly prevented Neath from pressing home their attack and found himself in the sin bin. Almost immediately afterwards the Neath backs put left wing Griffiths in for a try in the corner. Williams converted and Neath had regained the lead ( 24-21).

Things go worse for Pooler when they lost Mahoney to a yellow card after some unnecessary argy-bargy. Fortunately, there was little time for Neath to take advantage of their numerical supremacy before half time. HT Neath 24 : Pontypool 21.

It had been an entertaining first half that was for sure with the lead changing hands five times. It was hard to choose a winner but surely Neath being permanently down to fourteen and the power of the Pooler scrum would be enough to get things done.

Pontypool made some changes at half time and started the second half with purpose. There was frustrating period of around ten minutes when Pooler leaked penalties when they got into promising positions. It was clear, however, that Pooler were gaining the upper hand in possession and territory. Neath defended stoutly and their backs were still menacing when they got the ball but the breakthrough would surely come for the away side.

It was Mahoney who did the necessary soon after returning from his yellow card.  He scored his second try as he burst through the Neath defence. Jarvis converted and Pooler had secured a bonus point and, more importantly, had taken back the lead (24-28).

Pontypool remained on top but continued to leak penalties. The four point lead felt precarious as Neath were certainly not going to back off. It was not until the fourth quarter that Pooler managed to turn possession into points. Some great running and passing from the backs saw substitute wing Marcus Jones score in the left corner. Jarvis converted with aplomb and the Pooler fans felt a little more comfortable with an eleven point cushion at 24-35.

Pooler remained the dominant force but continued to frustrate. Finally, after Neath were reduced to thirteen men by a yellow card for their substitute prop at a scrum, Pooler scored their sixth try. This was scored by Scarfe who was lurking with intent on the right wing. The conversion failed and this was the final act in an all-action game. Final score Neath 21 : Pontypool 40.

Any win at Neath is a good and hard-earned win so congratulations to Pontypool. It was an entertaining game and Neath though reduced to fourteen men after half an hour made things extremely difficult for Pooler. Keeping Neath scoreless in the second half was no mean feat. Pooler will know that their discipline let them down at times but they did play some great rugby when they put pace on the game. It would be nice to think that we could play Neath next season but as things stand this looks rather unlikely. They are a fine club and I wish them well whatever happens.

Next up for Pontypool is a home game against Bridgend. This should be another cracking encounter.

Come on Pooler!  

That Puts the Tin Hat on It

I am not quite sure whether you win the wooden spoon or lose it but Wales certainly earned it with a woeful display against a well-drilled Italian side.  The final score line of 21-24 is flattering as Wales scored two very late tries when the game was already lost and the Italians had relaxed at 7-24.

Where do I begin? First, we must congratulate the Italians who played with verve and look transformed from the serial losers of a few years ago. They have a developed a good all round team with strong forwards and exciting backs. They must be delighted with this year’s Six Nations campaign with two wins and a draw and a narrow defeat by England. Yes, it can be done with only two professional teams.

Wales were awful yesterday particularly in a woeful first half. They had possession and territory but virtually the whole team was guilty of making a series of cock-ups that the under-elevens would be dismayed by. The only thing that functioned well was the lineout the rest was way off the required standard. The only surprise was that Wales only conceded eleven points.

The second half was little better with Italy scoring a brilliantly conceived try to lead 0-17. Wales continued to misfire much to the frustration of the crowd. They still had enough possession but the Italian defence seemed to know exactly what they were going to do and forced errors. There was a total lack of innovation – haven’t the coaching team got any bright ideas?

Wales finally got on the scoreboard with a try by Dee to make it 7-17 but really it was too little too late. Incredibly the front row was not substituted and looked out on their feet which didn’t help. Grady came on in the centre and made a considerable impact as did Rowlands in the second row. Sadly, Wales conceded two kickable penalties which foiled any chance of a late Wales victory. The Italians gleefully converted the penalties to open up an unassailable 7-24 lead with only a few minutes remaining.

There was time for Rowlands and Grady two bag a couple of consolation tries but by then the Welsh fans were already streaming out into a soaking wet Cardiff seeking a stiff drink. Played five lost five and the wooden spoon. Can it get much worse than that?

I do feel sorry for George North. This was his last game after a glittering career. He was one of the few Welsh players who played to something like his best and must have been devastated to leave like this. Thanks George you have been a credit to Wales and good luck for the future.

So, what now for Wales? On the positive side they have blooded several promising young players. The question is will they manage to reach the levels of the illustrious names that they will replace. I certainly hope so. I can’t help feeling that there need to be some changes in the coaching set up as the team seems short on ideas and the rest of the world is rapidly leaving them behind. The poor form of the Welsh regions is certainly not helping and the poor performance of the Welsh team will make the finances that much tighter. It is a depressing picture.

Congratulations to Ireland on winning the Six Nations Championship they were the best team. France secured second place with a last gasp victory over a resurgent England.

Now it is back to club rugby for me and Pontypool’s visit to Neath next weekend. It should be a good game between these old rivals.

Come on Pooler!

Wales Wilt as French Power Tells

 A lot has been said about the crushing 24-45 defeat Wales were handed by the French last weekend. I have to admit that, after a bright beginning from Wales was quickly cancelled out, it looked to me sitting in the stand that a French victory seemed inevitable.

The French ball carrying was immense and hardly ever was one Welshman able to stop a rampant Frenchman on the gain line let alone knock him back. This kind of pressure usually tells and that it was exactly what happened. As the Welsh team tired, France were able to bring on more heavyweights from the bench which eventually broke Welsh resolve and what had been a reasonably close match ended up as a bit of a rout. It is hard to know what more Wales could have done with the hand that they were dealt. They were brave and scored three good tries but the French were just too powerful.

Tactically it is hard to see why you would kick the ball to possibly the best winger in world rugby in Penaud. He always made ground particularly as the energy in the kick chase ebbed away. Wales did try to move the ball and this proved reasonably effective. In the last ten minutes or so, however, this looked far too pedestrian with ball been shovelled on to men standing still – easy meat for the French defence.

The sixteenth player that Wales expect in the support of the crowd also ebbed away and the thousands of French supporters out-sung and out-cheered the Welsh. A sobering experience for sure.

Did anything good come out of it for Wales? There is of course much promise amongst the new members of the squad and we are told to be patient. It is hard to keep smiling when your team loses so many times. Yes, plenty of green shoots are evident but will they flourish in the harsh environment of test rugby. I sincerely hope so. We will need some pretty powerful fertilizer if we are to harvest a bountiful crop.

Wales now face the resurgent Italian team in Cardiff on Saturday with the prospect of a wooden spoon looming. Surely it is time for them to step up but the Italians will be a mighty tough nut to crack and are brimming with confidence.

Come on Wales!

Deadly Drovers Sink Pooler with First Half Blitz

The Premiership’s outstanding leaders, Llandovery, were in town on a chilly Friday evening and after the corresponding away fixture Pontypool knew they were in for a testing encounter. The Drovers had been scoring points for fun of late and with the TV cameras present they would be looking to continue their impressive form.

The one thing Pooler could not afford was a sluggish start and, quite frankly, they were blown away by an awesome display of pace and power by the visitors. Llandovery scored three tries in the first thirteen minutes with Pooler barely getting a sniff of the ball. A brace of tries for Abraham and a try from Davies were created by excellent support play and deadly finishing. The tricky wind meant that only one try was converted but the Drovers had raced to a 0-17 lead.

As the first quarter ended, Pooler finally got some field position and capitalised on it with a try from Scarfe who burst through the Drovers defence after a thrust by Mahoney. Jarvis converted  and Pooler were at least off the mark at 7-17.

Sadly, this was a brief respite as normal service was resumed just afterwards with the away side continuing to boss the game. On the half hour, Aaron Warren crossed for a try in the left corner which was converted by Hughes (7-24). Shortly afterwards Aaron Warren seized on a loose ball in his own half and stormed down the left touchline outpacing the Pooler defence. He could have scored himself but chose to pass inside to the supporting Adam Warren who scored under the posts . The successful conversion made the score 7-31 with Pooler left befuddled and bemused.

There was still time for more agony for Pooler when Abraham crossed in the right corner for his hat trick. The conversion failed but Llandovery were completely in control at 7-36. To all intents and purposes, the game was over but the crowd had been treated to a superb display by the league leaders. With their green shirts they reminded me of Ireland at times.

Pooler were playing for pride in the second half and no doubt were reminded of this in the changing room. Pooler playing down the slope started the half with real purpose. Within the first couple of minutes, they had established themselves in the Drovers twenty two. Scrum half Morgan Lloyd took a quick tapped penalty and scooted over for a try. Jarvis converted and the score was now 14-36.

Pooler continued to press and the Drovers looked taken aback by the ferocity of their challenge. A few minutes later pooler were back in the Drovers twenty two and this time Lloyd sniped around the blind side to score his second try. The conversion failed but the scoreboard was looking far healthier at 19-36. Could we dare to dream?

Back came the visitors and this time it was forward power that told. They kicked a penalty to touch and rumbled over from the ensuing lineout with Davies touching down in the left corner. The try was expertly converted by Maynard and Llandovery now led 19-43 as we went into the final quarter. As usual there had been mass substitutions and it was good to see a debut for the Canadian lock Kelly for Pooler.

Pooler still had ambitions to get a bonus point for a fourth try and went on the attack. The game became quite open as a consequence. From a ruck near halfway Morgan Lloyd spotted a gap and raced clear to score under the posts with the try converted by Jarvis. This was a hat trick for the livewire scrumhalf and delivered the bonus point (26-43).

It was Llandovery who had the final say with another try for Davies from a driving lineout. The conversion missed and left the final score Pontypool 26 : Llandovery 48.

Pooler were handed a real lesson in the first half with Llandovery playing brilliant rugby. The Drovers are a good side with plenty of pace behind, clever halfbacks and a tough pack of forwards. On this evidence they thoroughly deserve to sit on top of the Premiership. Pooler showed great spirit and not a little skill to “win” the second half and grab a bonus point but were clearly second best.

The next match for Pooler is away at improving Neath in a couple of weeks. The two sides know it each other well so sit should be an enthralling match.

Wales take on the French on Sunday afternoon with a few surprises in the selection. Let us hope that the changes come up trumps and Wales record a first victory in the Six nations Championship. I ma not holding my breath though.

Come on Pooler!

Come on Wales!