Super Effort from Pooler Just Fails

At last league rugby has returned. Not just any old rugby but Super Rygbi Cymru which has come into existence this season. Pontypool and Llandovery had the honour of playing the first match in the new league at a pristine Pontypool Park in front of the TV cameras. The pitch looked in perfect condition on a clear chilly evening under floodlights.

To the casual observer, nothing much seemed to have changed as the line-ups for the two teams showed many familiar faces. As always, there had been players moving from club to club during the closed season but the rosters were not showing the bevy of promising young players that we had been anticipating. The strips worn by the teams had changed with Pooler playing predominantly in black and the Drovers in a colourful mix of red, green and white.

Llandovery played down the slope in the first half and started with a bang with left wing Phillips scoring in the corner after some good attacking rugby by the backs. The conversion failed but the signs were ominous (0-5). Those of us who watched the corresponding fixture last season feared the worst. On that occasion, Pooler had been blitzed in the first half by some brilliant Llandovery rugby . This time, however, it was clear that Pooler had significantly improved their defence and were not about to let the visitors have things their own way. The Pooler line speed was up a notch or two and the tackling aggressive to say the least.

Despite Llandovery having the lion’s share of possession in the first quarter, Pooler did manage to make a few dents with the powerful carrying of the forwards. Llandovery did look dangerous but Pooler’s defence held firm. In a rare foray into the Llandovery half, Pooler were awarded a penalty that returning old boy Meek converted (3-5).

The game became far more even as we moved into the second quarter. A Llandovery attack took them well into the home twenty-two. Pooler were stretched and Scarfe was given a yellow card for a trip. Llandovery made use or their numerical advantage by kicking the subsequent penalty to the corner. Their lineout drive was effective and hooker Davies touched down. The try was converted by Maynard and the Drovers had increased their lead to 3-12.

Pooler went on the attack straight afterwards but during the attack Llandovery flanker Worrall suffered what looked to be a bad injury. There was a long delay as the medical team looked after him and we wish him a speedy recovery.  Play seemed muted for the rest of the first half and the teams went into the break with Llandovery leading 3-12.

Pooler needed to start well in the second half and that was exactly what they did. Only a couple of minutes had gone, when a Pooler kick ahead bounced awkwardly for the Drovers’ defence. Pooler left wing Powell sniffed out a chance and was able to win the race for the touch down. The try was expertly converted by Meek from the touchline and Pooler were within two points at 10-12.

A few minute later Pooler were at it again. A great break by Mahoney split the Llandovery defence and an overlap was created for Powell to bag his second try . This time Meek’s conversion just missed but still Pooler had taken the lead at 15-12. It was now anyone’s game although the momentum was with the home side.

Llandovery were league champions and cup winners last season for a reason. They were soon giving as good as they got and a penalty from Maynard as the third quarter came to an end levelled the scores at 15-15.

Now it was Pooler’s turn to attack and after a period of sustained pressure on the Llandovery line a neat dropped goal by Meek edged Pooler back in front at 18-15. Almost before we could draw breath, another penalty from Maynard evened things up again at 18-18 in this cliffhanger of a game.

By now, we were into the last ten minutes or so and it was Pooler who were doing most of the attacking. Another great break from Mahoney saw him stopped just short of the Llandovery line. Somehow Llandovery managed to survive and get the ball away. Pooler had possession and territory but just couldn’t get over the line.

Eventually Llandovery broke out and worked their way upfield. Pooler substitute wing Scriven was penalised and given a yellow card as the defence scrambled to stop the attack. Up stepped Maynard who coolly converted the penalty to put Llandovery into the lead at 18-21 with little time remaining.

Pooler gave it their all and managed to get back into the away twenty-two. They were awarded a penalty but rather than settle for a draw went for the win by kicking to the corner. They came agonisingly close to scoring but it wasn’t to be. Llandovery just about held out to record a narrow victory. Final score Pontypool 18: Llandovery 21.

This was a great game to watch as both teams gave their all. Pooler came storming back in the second half and victory was in their grasp. Alas it wasn’t to be, but there were plenty of encouraging things that came out of the game. The set pieces looked good and the defence was effective and blunted Llandovery’s much vaunted attack. As always there was tremendous team spirit and the never-say-die attitude that we have come to expect. As someone once said, “It can only get better.”

Pooler’s next match will be away to Bridgend Ravens. I am looking forward to it already.