Revitalised Pooler put Bridgend to the Sword

Next up for Pontypool RFC were Bridgend Ravens who visited the Park after a free-scoring start to the season. Pooler had not been at their best to date but had secured a memorable comeback victory against Carmarthen Quins in the previous match. We rather hoped that that, coupled with the return of Herbert the skipper, would provide inspiration for Pooler on a dull but dry day.

Pontypool played down the slope in the first half and, right from the kick off, looked eager and aggressive and much more like the team of old. Pooler attacked strongly and within the first three minutes had opened the scoring with a penalty from Meek (3-0).

Bridgend then showed why they are such a dangerous attacking side when straight from the kick off they won the ball and some smart handling by the backs saw Williams the scrum half touch down for a try. The try went unconverted but the away side had taken the lead (3-5).

Pooler quickly gave Bridgend a taste of their own medicine when a break by Lloyd took them deep into the Bridgend twenty-two. Moments later it was Lloyd who touched down for a try which Meek converted (10-5).  Pooler were very much in the ascendancy with their aggressive defence and attacking intent giving them the edge The scrum looked far more solid than of late and the lineout was functioning well.

After a quarter of an hour, Pooler were deep inside the away twenty two. They spread the ball wide where two back row men Matthews and Jones were loitering with intent.  The ball was floated out to Matthews, narrowly avoiding an interception by Bridgend,  and the flanker caught the ball expertly and then gave a perfectly timed pass to Ieuan Jones who touched down in the left corner. Meek landed an excellent conversion and it was 17-5 to Pooler.

The second quarter was more evenly contested with a lot of tactical kicking and both defences holding firm until just before the interval. Pooler ran a kick back and it was right wing Cole who touched down in the right corner for their third try which, although it went unconverted, gave Pooler a useful 22-5 lead at half time.

This had been an all-action half from Pooler and there was a buzz on the Bank as we waited for the game to restart. Pooler would be playing up the slope but they would be assisted by a breeze blowing up the Valley. Things did not start well for Pooler with Bridgend seizing the initiative right from the kick off. They put Pooler under a lot of pressure but the dogged Pooler defence managed to keep them out for ten minutes.

As so often happens, the Bridgend attack eventually broke down and Pooler marched up the field and demonstrated just how to take your chances. The away defence bought a Meek dummy and Meek found Wood, the hooker, steaming up beside him. Wood touched down near the posts and Meek converted and the game now looked beyond Bridgend at 29-5 with the try bonus point in the bag.

Five minutes later, there was a frenetic period of play when both sides seemed to have difficulty hanging on to the ball. It was Pooler who finally gained control and spread the ball wide and it was Pat Lewis, who had looked sharp all afternoon, touching down for Pooler’s fifth try. Meek converted and Pooler’s lead was now an unassailable 36-5.

Both sides had emptied their benches and the Bridgend scrum now put their opposition under pressure. The fourth quarter saw sustained pressure by the visitors who camped out in the home twenty two. Pooler’s defence was outstanding but they did concede a string of penalties for a variety of reasons. The referee had finally seen enough and gave Pooler replacement flanker Tunaki a yellow card. Pooler continued to defend superbly but eventually they cracked in the 74^th minute and Bridgend hooker Olding forced his way over for a try. The conversion failed but at least Bridgend did get some reward for their efforts (36-10).

Time was almost up when a tremendous break by Morgan Allen from halfway was stopped just short of the line. From the ensuing attack it was Cole who touched down in the right corner for his second try of the afternoon. Meek had been replaced and so it was Morgan Lloyd who landed a great conversion to seal a great victory for Pontypool. Final score Pontypool 43 : Bridgend Ravens 10.

What an excellent performance by Pooler. This was far more like it with the team taking their chances with aplomb and defending for their lives. It was several levels up from the misery of the away defeat at Carmarthen Quins. So well done to everyone and let us hope we now have lift-off for the rest of the season.

We are very lucky to be able to watch rugby in such picturesque surroundings. Pontypool Park in its Autumn colours is a sight to behold.

Pooler have had a majority of home fixtures thus far this season but next Saturday they visit Cardiff as part of a double-header. You can even stay on to see the supporting act which is Cardiff v Edinburgh if you wish. It is never easy to play against Cardiff on the artificial pitch but Pooler have had some rousing victories there over the years. It would be great to see another one.

Come on Pooler!

Pooler Come Back from the Dead

Pontypool had a chance to avenge last week’s disappointing loss at Carmarthen Quins with a match against the same opposition but this time in Pontypool Park. Whilst the weather was dry apart from the occasional bit of drizzle, there was a strong wind blowing down the valley. Yet again Pooler had made a significant number of team changes as they searched for a winning combination

Pontypool played against the wind and up the slope in the first half. Pooler did start well making all the early running despite the strong wind. They came close to opening the scoring with a try before they had to settle for a penalty from Meek after almost quarter of an hour had been played (3-0).

Carmarthen then settled into their rhythm and rather like the previous week dominated possession and territory. They are a well-coached team that are aggressive in attack and defence. Their area of real dominance was the scrum where they shunted the Pooler pack back and won a series of penalties.

Early in the second quarter, Carmarthen took the lead with a converted try when the forwards drove over the Pooler line (3-7). A few minutes later, Carmarthen outside half, Price, was shown a yellow card and this should have given Pooler a chance to bounce back but their attacking intent was stifled by the away team’s aggressive defensive line speed. Strangely it was Carmarthen who looked the more likely to score as Pooler seemed a little flat. Just after the half hour, Carmarthen scrum half, Davies, brushed aside three or four attempted tackles to score an individual try near the posts. The successful conversion opened up a 3-14 lead for the visitors.

Worse was to follow as the Carmarthen forwards drove over for a third try that with the conversion opened up a worrying 3-21 lead. This seemed very like the previous week where Carmarthen opened up a 24-0 lead in the first half. Pooler did respond with a flurry of attacks as the first half drew to a close but could not crack the Carmarthen defence.

Pooler had it all to do if they were going to turn this large deficit around in the second half although they would have the elements in their favour. Would the presence of legendary scrum half David Bishop in the stand inspire them?

Most of the third quarter was eminently forgettable with a lot of kicking from both sides. Carmarthen seemed to be coasting towards a victory as their scrum continued to cause Pooler serious problems and their well-organised defence repelled Pooler’s attacks with ease. Both teams started to use their benches with Pooler looking for some inspiration from somewhere. At this stage the bookies would have offered long odds on a Pooler win that is for sure.

The changes for Carmarthen seemed to disrupt their play while Pooler gained inspiration from the likes of Ieuan Jones. The Carmarthen defence gave away a penalty or two as they strayed offside and Pooler gained possession and field position. Just before the end of the third quarter, it was Ieuan Jones who touched down for a try after strong work by the Pooler pack. Meek converted and the gap had closed to 10-21 and you sensed a shift in momentum towards the home team.

Pooler attacked strongly and looked a team transformed. The scrum became a lot more stable although still under pressure. Pooler needed to score quickly to close the gap to a score while Carmarthen knew that another try would earn them a bonus point and probably put the game beyond the home team.

With around ten minutes remaining, Pooler were awarded another penalty and kicked for the corner. After a driving maul looked all set to be shoved into touch, it was Ieuan Jones who just managed to touch the ball down in the left corner for his second try. A brilliant conversion from Meek saw Pooler back within a try at 17-21. An unlikely comeback victory was on the cards as the momentum was definitely with Pooler.

Carmarthen were certainly not going to make it easy as the minutes ticked away and the tension mounted. After a couple of false starts, Pooler finally managed to get where they needed to be deep inside the Carmarthen twenty-two. It was down to the Pooler forwards to drive over the line. Carmarthen defended for their lives but the defence finally cracked as Pooler hooker, Wood, forced his way over with 77 minutes played on the game clock. Meek took his time over the conversion which he planted through the posts to make the score 24-21. There was no time for a Carmarthen comeback and the Pooler faithful were in raptures. Final score Pontypool 24 : Carmarthen Quins 21.

Phew, what a comeback that was - Lazarus would have been impressed. Carmarthen Quins must be kicking themselves for letting it slip after being the dominant team for so much of the match. Great credit must go to Pooler though for finding a way to win when all seemed lost. You have to wonder why it took so long for Pooler to find the spark they needed. Let us hope this marks a turning point in the season and they find their mojo. The scrum is a key area that needs to be improved as it has become  a source of penalties for the opposition. Anyway, let us celebrate a victory that had seemed most unlikely for most of the match. Pooler are no longer propping up the table with that position occupied by Newport of all people. Well done Pooler!

We await with bated breath the outcome of the WRU consultation on the future of professional rugby. It seems to become more and more confused as the days go by. It really is a “damned if they do, damned if they don’t” situation. Rather them than me.

There is no match next weekend and the following weekend Pooler take on Bridgend Ravens who are currently third in the league although they have won two lost two like Pooler.

Come on Pooler!

Pooler Very Much Second Best

Pontypool’s first match of the season on their travels was an away fixture at Carmarthen Quins. A good contingent had made the journey from Pontypool and were in a positive frame of mind as kick-off approached.

It was a blustery day with a strong breeze but thankfully dry after the monsoon of the previous Saturday. The pitch was in perfect condition and it was all set for a good game of rugby.

The breeze seemed to be blowing across the pitch but did, if anything, favour Pooler in the first half. Carmarthen started with energy and purpose and totally dominated the first quarter of an hour with Pooler unable to escape from their half.  Pooler did not help themselves by conceding too many penalties as the pressure built. This gave the Quins the opportunity to kick for the corner and use their powerful pack to drive for the line. Some credit is due to the Pooler defence as, despite limited possession and territory, they prevented the home team from scoring until the fourteenth minute. The try came from concerted Quins forward pressure and was converted by Price to give Carmarthen a deserved 7-0 lead.

The first scrum of the game came as the first quarter ended and Carmarthen looked to have a degree of dominance here too. The lineouts had not gone particularly well for either team as the blustery conditions made life difficult. Pooler strayed offside at the start of the second quarter and Price converted the penalty  to increase the Quins lead to 10-0.

At last, Pooler put some attacks of their own together but it was all very disjointed  and the home defence showed plenty of aggression coupled with a challenging defensive line speed that meant the sporadic attacks were quickly snuffed out.

About half an hour had been played when a Pooler move broke down around halfway and Quins booted the loose ball up to the Pooler try line. It was a race to see which side would get the touchdown and it was Carmarthen that go their first for Williams to score a try under the posts. Price converted and it was now 17-0 with Pooler looking all at sea.

The rest of the half was dominated by Quins who added a third try when the forwards again drove over the line after a period of intense pressure. Loosehead prop Fawcett was credited with the try that Price converted (24-0). The first half ended with Pooler having come off very much second best in a very one-sided contest. Harsh words were no doubt spoken in the Pooler changing room.

Pontypool had to play better in the second half – didn’t they? Well, they started well enough playing their best rugby of the match so far. They managed to hang on to the ball and challenged the Quins defence. It looked much more like the old Pooler. They deserved a try and it was new recruit full back McDonough who scored in the left corner. The conversion failed but at least Pooler were on the scoreboard (24-5). Was this the cue for a Pooler comeback? Pooler continued to attack but found the Quins defence a tough nut to crack. Quins too continued to look dangerous and it was far more evenly contested.

In the final quarter things changed. Pooler started conceding far too many penalties with the scrum under big pressure. Quins were searching for their bonus point try and kicked most of the penalties to the corner. We went through what seemed to be an endless series of scrums and lineouts deep in the Pooler twenty-two. It really was a surprise that a penalty try was not awarded even though a yellow card was issued. Pooler’s defensive effort was remarkable and Quins must have been totally frustrated as they just couldn’t get the try they craved.

The clock ticked down and there were only a couple minutes  left when Pooler finally escaped from the siege. Ironically they did what the home side had failed to do in their fifteen minutes of total domination. Pooler scored what can only be described as a consolation try when McDonough touched down for his second. Meek converted and that was that. Final score Carmarthen Quins 24 : Pontypool 12.

After what was a pretty uninspiring first half, Pooler did show signs of spirit in the second half. There is no doubt that on the day the home side were well on top and thoroughly deserved their win. Pooler can claim to have “won” the second half but this is scant consolation for a bad day at the office. After ringing the changes, Pooler need to come up with a more settled team that can take them forward.

It is same again next Saturday as Carmarthen Quins visit Pontypool Park. It is a chance to get some revenge after this rather salutary defeat. Seeing Pontypool at the bottom of the SRC table is very disappointing.

Come on Pooler!

Pain in the Rain for Pooler

The second league match of the season saw RGC from North Wales visiting Pontypool Park. Rather like last week there had been a lot of rain in the days leading up to the match but the pitch looked in remarkably good condition. This week as the rain had stopped, as it happened briefly, we took our usual position on the Bank. This proved to be a mistake as the rain soon returned and basically alternated between heavy and torrential for the whole match. An odd collection of umbrellas was used to try and keep us dry but to limited effect.

Anyway, Pontypool played up the slope in the first half and at least there was no wind to speak of. This match would be won by the team that managed the difficult conditions best. Unfortunately for the spectators this would surely mean little running rugby and plenty of kicking.

Pooler got off to a great start when a RGC kick downfield was returned with some mazy running. The move started on the left and ended up on the right with flanker Davies going close. The ball was recycled and it was fullback Price who touched down for a try with only a couple of minutes on the clock (5-0). The conversion failed but from the restart RGC were a man down when Brown was shown a yellow card.

The kicking games took over and it was clear that this was an area where RGC had an edge. There were some lengthy exchanges of kicks as both sides waited for a mistake. This normally happened when someone tried to run the ball back with the slippery ball making handling difficult. Despite some typically strong runs from Morgan Allen, Pooler were unable to make their numerical supremacy tell as the first quarter passed us by.

Early in the second quarter a penalty form Meek saw Pooler extend their lead to 8-0. This game was going to be decided by the team that could capitalise best on the many handling errors that were occurring in the treacherous conditions. After around half an hour played, it was RGC  who took advantage of good field position when a great kick downfield made the Pooler defence struggle. After some powerful forward drives, Thirsk touched down for the visitors and McBryde added a well-struck conversion (8-7).

A few minutes later a knock on from Pooler was compounded by an offside penalty that McBryde converted to give RGC a slender lead at 8-10. The RGC scrum was getting on top and a welcome source of penalties for the visitors as the rain continued to teem down. Pooler’s lineout which had functioned well started to creak a bit as well as the conditions made things difficult for throwers and jumpers alike. There was no further scoring as the half drew to a close. The second half was going to be a war of attrition for players and those brave souls on the Bank alike.

RGC started the brighter in the second half and could have increased their lead when a clever cross kick was knocked on within a couple of yards of Pooler’s try line. There followed a period of Pooler dominance as they tried to get back in front. They had a couple of periods where they hammered away at the RGC line but a combination of the conditions and stubborn defence frustrated them. The RGC kicking game and their strong scrum were still giving Pooler plenty to think about.

At last, as the fourth quarter started, Pooler edged into the lead with a penalty from Meek (11-10) accompanied by a yellow card for Gareth Parry of RGC. The lead was very short-lived as RGC hit back with a penalty from McBryde virtually straight from the restart (11-13).

Could Pooler bounce back?  They tried their best with some strong attacks but the RGC defence held them out. The pressure told and another penalty from Meek did edge them back into the lead at 14-13.

There was around ten minutes remaining and both sides desperately tried to keep their error count down as the kicking duel continued. Pooler tried to keep possession but it wasn’t easy with the slippery ball. It was tense stuff that was for sure. It was Pooler who cracked and conceded a penalty in the last minute that McBryde converted with aplomb to give RGC back the lead at 14-16.

There was still time for one last chance for Pooler. They won the ball back from the restart but in their desperation lost control of the ball just inside the RGC half as they tried to make one too many passes with the slippery ball. RGC wing, Parry, took full advantage of the loose ball and scooted away to score under the posts. McBryde converted and Pooler had lost the losing bonus point. Final score Pontypool 14 : RGC 23.

This was a game that could have gone either way right until the end and was played under extremely difficult conditions. The pitch did stand up very well to the heavy rain which in years gone by might have led to the match being abandoned. Both teams gave it their all but it was probably the superior kicking game of RGC combined with an edge in the scrum that won the day. Pooler will, of course, rue those missed chances when they were camped on the visitors’ line.

Welsh Rugby continues to stagnate as the number of regions debate rages on. It really is difficult to predict the outcome so I will not even try. I don’t think anyone really wants to cut the number of regions but results on the field and financial constraints mean something has to be done.

Next week there will be another tough assignment for Pooler in what looks to be a highly competitive league. Pooler will visit Carmarthen Quins where they are sure to get a warm welcome. Let us hope that we are spared the rain.

Come on Pooler!

Pooler Start with a Win

At last, the rugby season proper has started after what seems like an age since Pontypool played their last league match. This time the season opener was a home game against Swansea who had an indifferent start to last season before finishing quite strongly. As always, there have been  many arrivals and departures during the closed season so the first few games invariably are a bedding in period for new recruits.

Pontypool Park was looking pristine with a lot of hard work gone on to spruce the place up in readiness for the new season. The weather was unsettled after the long hot summer and had alternated between torrential rain showers and sunshine all week.  A heavy downpour just as we were arriving disappeared as quickly as it had appeared and the match started in sunshine.  I did, however, decide to watch from the packed stand rather than take my customary place on the Bank.

Pooler played down the slope in the first half and the first quarter was rather non-descript with the two old enemies feeling each other out. A lot of kicking and neither side managing to seize the initiative. What was clear was that Swansea had a big combative pack of forwards who were going to give the Pooler eight a run for their money particularly at the breakdown. Both sides had kickable penalties with Meek on target for Pooler while an attempt by Phillips for Swansea went wide (3-0). The only other thing of note was a storming run from Pooler’s Morgan Allen who looked in fine fettle.

The second quarter was more entertaining with Pooler gaining a level of ascendancy. There was still a lot of kicking but at least Pooler gained good field positions. The Pooler forwards took play into the Swansea twenty-two and the alert Pooler scrum half, Cole, spotted a gap and scooted over for a try under the posts. Meek converted and Pooler had built a 10-0 lead.

Swansea enjoyed a period of possession and the Pooler defence had to work hard to repel them. The Swansea backs looked dangerous at times but were just about kept in check. Swansea did get some reward for their efforts with a penalty from Phillips which reduced Pooler’s lead to 10-3. There was still plenty of kicking from both sides and rather too many mistakes for the coaches’ liking I am sure.

On the half hour, the referee was injured and was replaced by one of the linesmen. As you might expect, the new referee had a slightly different way of refereeing the ever more complex laws of game and the players would have to adjust to that.  Meek added another penalty while Phillips missed a penalty to leave the halftime score 13-3 in favour of the home team. A little bit of argy bargy as the players left the field added spice to a closely fought first half.

Swansea started the second half very strongly and were soon in Pooler’s twenty-two and looking dangerous. The Pooler defence worked hard to keep them out but, after nearly ten minutes, they finally cracked with a try from Cox which Phillips converted (13-10). Pooler were not entirely happy with the decision to award the try but the referee was not to be swayed.

Pooler needed to regain the initiative as the momentum was now with Swansea. Pooler did exactly that and played some of their best rugby of the match as they managed to increase the pace they were playing at. Some really good play by forwards and backs saw Morgan Allen standing out on the left wing power in for a try. The conversion failed but Pooler were back more than a score ahead at 18-10.

Swansea were far from beaten and were giving as good as they got as we entered the final quarter. A penalty from Phillips brought Swansea back in range at 18-13 and it was still anyone’s game. The Pooler lineout had been efficient all game and a couple of minutes later Pooler kicked a penalty for the corner and  a pre-arranged lineout ploy worked perfectly. Hooker, Wood, received the ball after a front peel to score in the right corner. An excellent conversion from Meek saw Pooler increase their lead to 25-13 with 15 minutes left.

Both sides strove hard to add to their tallies in the time remaining – Pooler in search of the try bonus point and Swansea a bonus point. Both sides went close but it wasn’t to be. Final score Pontypool 25 : Swansea 13.

Pooler will be pleased to get a win in the first league match against a tough Swansea team. They did look understandably rusty at times and there are plenty of areas for the coaching team to work on. All in all, an encouraging start so well done to everybody.

Next up for Pooler will be a home game against RGC next Saturday. Matches between these two sides tend to be high scoring and entertaining. Let us hope the weather plays ball.

Come on Pooler!

Pooler Warming Up Nicely but Welsh Rugby in Turmoil

I didn’t make the trip to Moseley but I was delighted to see that Pontypool had a great pre-season workout against stiff opposition and came away with a narrow 29-31 victory. Good to see that Scott Mathews hasn’t forgotten the way to the try line. The next warm up match will be at Cinderford where Pooler can expect a warm welcome in more ways than one. The season proper gets ever nearer and I for one can’t wait for the first league game against Swansea at home on September 13^th.

Welsh Rugby seems to be hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons with the WRU not really building much confidence as they propose two team professional rugby as the way forward. I for one have never really embraced regional rugby finding a diet of Pontypool and Wales quite sufficient. I therefore do not really feel able to match the passion of the regional fans who are understandably up in arms. Having watched some regional matches on TV there always seemed to be large swathes of empty spaces in the stands for most games. The four regions have certainly not set the world alight and seem to be in a death spiral financially as they try and compete with wealthier opposition. Something needs to be done as if we keep doing what we are doing we will keep getting what we are getting.

As in all such situations, it is uncertainty that does significant damage to all involved. It seems that we have reached the consultation stage as to how we get to two professional outfits rather than whether we should. I don’t expect to be consulted but good luck to those who are. It makes splitting the atom look like child’s play.

Last Gasp Defeat for Pooler

Here we are again with a new rugby season just around the corner. As what has become alarmingly normal, Welsh rugby remains in a state of flux. At least the national team ended their dismal run with a victory in Japan. The debate about how many regions Welsh rugby can support rages on and seems no nearer to resolution. Something akin to a civil war has broken out in the West with Scarlets and Ospreys at each other’s throats. The rationalisation can has been kicked so many times down the road it probably looks more like a flat sheet. No more reviews surely. Someone needs to make a decision and soon. Its emotive and difficult but for the good of Welsh rugby it has to be done.

The return of the prodigal son Rees Zammit has caused a major distraction. True he is an excellent player, but he needs to be given the ball in situations that he can exploit with his speed. Have we got a team that can do that? Hopefully new coach Steve Tandy can build a team to bring some much needed pride back at the top of the game in Wales.

Meanwhile we are in the realms of pre-season friendlies. Pontypool travelled to Dings Crusaders in Bristol for their second outing of the season after travelling up the road to Talywain last weekend. Dings have an enviable set up on the outskirts of Bristol with a magnificent clubhouse and at least three pitches. They are in the English Division One and can present formidable opposition. As always, in pre-season friendlies the teams selected are often experimental and this was certainly the case for the Pontypool team.

The weather was warm and sunny and the match was played on an artificial pitch. I am glad to say it was played under proper match conditions with a normal sized squad of players for each team. Play was quite scrappy in the early stages as both teams tried to find a rhythm.  It was Pooler who scored first when Mahoney burst over for a converted try (0-7). It did not take long for Dings to hit back as they scored from a lineout drive (7-7).

Pooler retook the lead after some smart play from the backs saw Jarvis score a try which was converted by Meek. It was clear that Dings were settling down to play the more cohesive rugby. They had a strong scrum and an efficient lineout and began to look threatening. Pooler were also guilty of conceding too many penalties with high tackles incurring the wrath of the referee and in the end resulted in a yellow card for the Pooler tight head prop.

Dings deservedly took the lead with two converted tries which saw them 21-14 ahead at half time. Pooler needed to respond and start the second half strongly.

Right at the beginning of the second half the Dings openside flanker suffered a nasty head/neck injury which meant a delay of around 20 minutes while he was attended to by the medics. I wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.

The delay set Pooler back and Dings looked the more determined side when the game restarted. They quickly went back on the attack and scored a try near the posts after a break by their scrum half (28-14).  Pooler brought on reinforcements from the bench and began to look much more threatening. A converted try from short range after strong play by the forwards saw the lead trimmed to 28-21.

Pooler continued to attack and a try in the left corner by Rees was quickly followed by a try from Jones in the right corner. Both conversions from wide out failed but the ten points gave Pooler a 28-31 lead with not long left.

Yet another Pooler infringement gave Dings field position for the last play of the match. They put together a well-constructed lineout drive with virtually the whole team joining in. This was enough to force their way over the line for the winning score. The try was converted and the final score was Dings Crusaders 35 : Pontypool 31.

This was an entertaining game and I am sure a good workout for the players before the season proper. Pooler will know they can play much better than this and that they have some strong resources that weren’t on view. They will need to look at how to avoid conceding so many penalties which can prove so costly.

The next friendly is away at Moseley next weekend. It will be interesting to see the team that is selected.

I applaud the work that has been done in setting up the Pontypool Supporters Club. Congratulations to all  you are doing a fine job.

Come on Pooler!  

Pooler Make Llandovery Work Hard for Victory

A glorious May afternoon and almost a party atmosphere greeted us at Church Bank, Llandovery. This was a quarter final of the Super Rygbi Cymru playoffs. The artificial pitch was in pristine condition and Pontypool were going to have it all to do against a team that thrives on playing in these conditions. The Drovers of Llandovery are the reigning champions of the Premier League and had already beaten Pooler twice this season. Yes, this was going to be difficult.

Llandovery kicked off and almost immediately seized possession. Some powerful running from backs and forwards alike gave the Pooler defence an early workout. Eventually the pressure told and right wing Doel touched down in the corner for an unconverted try with only three minutes on the clock (5-0).

The Drovers continued to press with Pooler really struggling to keep them out. But keep them out they did and eventually managed to get out of their own half. Pooler were awarded a penalty that Ford converted to register their first points (5-3).

Normal service was resumed with Pooler back on the defensive as Llandovery kept playing at a tremendous pace and Pooler tackling like demons. After a couple of narrow escapes, the pressure told and Jones touched down after powerful work by the home forwards. Hughes converted  and Llandovery had extended their lead to 12-3 with a quarter of an hour played.

The Pooler set piece was coming under pressure with the scrum creaking and the lineout misfiring at times. The home side were certainly getting the better of things.

Pooler managed to gain a rare foothold in the Drovers half as the first quarter ended. They were awarded a penalty and Morgan Lloyd took a quick tap penalty and made good progress. As ever, Matthews was there in support to touch down near the posts. Ford converted and, rather against the run of play, Pooler had closed the gap to just two points at 12-10.

Back came Llandovery and, after a series of forward drives, home prop Hughes was awarded a try after TV review. The conversion failed but Llandovery had extended their lead to 17-10.

The last part of the first half was a bit more evenly contested and Pooler were rewarded with another penalty from Ford. So, at half time the score was Llandovery 17 : Pontypool 13. The scoreline did not really reflect a dominant performance from Llandovery but the grit and determination of Pooler had kept them in the game. Pooler seemed to have come away with points on almost all their visits to the home half while Llandovery were probably ruing many missed opportunities. Still, it was all to play for.

The third quarter proved to more of the same with Llandovery dominating territory and possession and Pooler battling to protect their line. Llandovery had a “try” disallowed on review but eventually Davies scored a try that was converted by Hughes to open up a two score lead at 24-13.

Pooler began to get their hands on the ball more frequently and fresh legs from the bench helped their cause. As the final quarter started, Pooler seemed to have scored when they broke from a lineout on the Drovers twenty two with Chapman touching down. Unfortunately, the try was ruled out after the officials reviewed a replay on the TV monitor. This could have been a real turning point for Pooler.

Pooler were now giving as good as they got but did make errors at crucial times which cost them dear. With just five minutes remaining, Hughes kicked a penalty for Llandovery and they were two converted tries clear at 27-13.

Pooler were not about to give up and some fine attacking play saw Cole score a try just a minute later which Ford converted. There was still a chance at 27-20 with four minutes left.

Pooler’s hopes were instantly dashed as they failed to deal with the kick off and Doel squeezed in at the corner for his second try. Although the try was unconverted the home side had surely secured victory at 32-20 with only a couple of minutes left.

Pooler threw caution to the winds in those last minutes and paid the penalty when Llandovery seized possession for Williams to score a try that was converted by Maynard. This was the last action of the game. Final score Llandovery 39 : Pontypool 20.

There is no doubt that Llandovery were deserved winners but Pooler made them work damned hard for their victory. Pooler’s defence was heroic at times as they strove to stem a seemingly endless stream of Drovers’ attacks. Llandovery are a really good team with all round strength and there is no disgrace in losing to them on their own patch.

That will be the last game of Pontypool’s season. They can reflect on a great first year in the new Super Rygbi Cymru league where they have been very competitive and have beaten every team but Llandovery at least once in finishing in fifth place. There is plenty to build on for next season and plenty to look forward to.

Well done Pooler!  

Pooler in their Pomp – and I Missed It!

I have just got back from a week in Spain with a dreadful cold.  The holiday meant that I missed Pooler’s narrow defeat at Aberavon (26-24) and my ropey condition meant that I also missed Pooler’s final home game of the season against league leaders Cardiff. This is a real shame as it sounds like it was a crackerjack performance by Pooler who won 47-27 with a dominant second half display.

There was little but pride at stake in this match as Cardiff were in an unassailable position at the top of the league and Pooler were bound to finish in fifth place. A game between Pontypool and Cardiff, of course, always matters to players and fans alike so it was a great ending to the league programme. It means that, with the exception of Llandovery, that Pooler managed to beat every team in the league at least once which is some achievement. Pooler have really demonstrated that they are a force to be reckoned with that is for sure. In what has been a dismal season for Welsh rugby in general, Pooler’s performances have certainly cheered me up.

The season is not over for now we enter the world of play-offs. As luck would have it, Pooler must travel to Llandovery for their quarter final as the team finishing fourth in the league play the team finishing fifth. This is a tough nut to crack but Pooler will surely be in good heart and no doubt will give it their best shot. Pooler will have two weeks in which to prepare their game plan as the wild card play-offs for the lower ranked teams will take place next week.

Come on Pooler!

Pooler Bounce Back

I have to confess that due to a long lunch in Birmingham and the vagaries of the rail system I did not manage to get to the Park yesterday evening to watch Pontypool take on Swansea. I did, however, catch it on the TV. It is a shame that after a few days of glorious weather that the rain fell during the match.

As for the match, Pooler played up the slope in the first half and had much the better of the opening exchanges. The backs looked sharp and the forwards drove powerfully. Rhodri Cole playing at scrum half on permit was a good link between forwards and backs and kicked well. It was no surprise when Pooler took the lead after seven minutes through a try from Robey that was converted by Meek (7-0). This was quickly followed by a Meek penalty to increase the lead to 10-0.

The fortunes of the match then swung dramatically as for the next twenty minutes Swansea dominated possession and territory. Pooler were guilty of conceding penalties but Swansea played with cohesion and not a little flair with full back Houston, in particular, a really slippery runner. In this period, Swansea scored three converted tries as they exerted immense pressure on a committed Pooler defence. The tries from Temblett, Edwards and Jones were all converted by Phillips and the match had swung very much Swansea’s way (10-21).

Pooler needed to respond and a penalty from Meek stemmed the flow (13-21). The last few minutes of the first half belonged with Pooler attacking ferociously through their forwards. Swansea were giving away penalties and that led to a yellow card for their tight head prop Thompson. This gave the Pooler pack just the edge that they needed and substitute hooker Chapman touched down after a lineout drive. Meek converted and at half time Pooler were just one point behind at 20-21.

Early in the second half, Swansea took off their right wing to allow for a prop to come on as a yellow card replacement. Their lack of cover wide out on the right was expertly exploited who spotted Marcus Jones in acres of space. His accurate kick was fielded by Jones who raced fifty metres to score under the posts. A conversion from Meek and Pooler were back in the lead at 27-21.

The momentum was now with Pooler but Swansea still looked dangerous and it was in fact Swansea that scored next through a penalty from Phillips (27-24) . Pooler then took charge with the forwards gaining the upper hand with Morgan Allen particularly prominent with his powerful ball carrying. It was Matthews, on as a substitute, who drove over to score Pooler’s bonus point try which was again converted by Meek (34-24). Five minutes later, Ieuan Jones added a fifth try when he drove over from short range. With the Meek conversion Pooler had surely secured the victory at 41-24.

Swansea did not give up and they strove hard to get a bonus point. They were assisted in this by a yellow card for Pooler flanker Davies. After considerable Swansea pressure, substitute hooker Austin touched down at the end of a forward drive. The try was converted by Rees and Swansea had their try bonus point (41-31) with only a couple of minutes remaining. There was no further scoring so the final score was Pontypool 41 : Swansea 31.

A good game with Pooler doing well to bounce back from the period of Swansea dominance in the first half. This of course was also on the back of that tough game against Newport on Sunday. Scrum half Cole did really well considering he was only drafted into the team at such short notice but it was the pack that ground out the important tries to secure victory.

Pooler have now surely guaranteed at least fifth place in the league. Fourth place still looks a tough ask but all they can do is try and win their last two games against Aberavon (a) and Cardiff (h) and hope that other results go their way.

Next up for Pooler is Aberavon away next Thursday evening in another televised match.

Come on Pooler! 

The One That Got Away from Pooler

I have to confess to being a bit pink around the gills this morning after my trip to Costa del Rodney yesterday. I was at a sun drenched Rodney Parade to watch Pontypool play Newport for the third time this season. This time in a league match with the score 1-1 so far. The Bisley stand proved to be a veritable sun trap with a good crowd bathed in the late March sunshine.

Pontypool playing against a gentle breeze made all  the early running. The played at a pace that left Newport looking cumbersome and shell-shocked as they moved the ball wide at every opportunity. Pooler opened the scoring after ten minutes when Morgan Lloyd intercepted in midfield and sprinted home to touch down under the posts. Meek converted and Pooler had stormed to a 0-7 lead.

Pooler continued to dominate and moved the ball wide to the left wing where Marcus Jones made ground and found Pat Lewis in support. Lewis touched down for a try to mark his return to the team after an injury layoff. Meek converted and Pooler were 0-14 to the good.

Better news still was to follow after twenty five minutes when Rosser stormed down the right wing to beat four or five defenders to score wide out. Meek again converted and Pooler were in dreamland at 0-21 and three tries in the bag.

It wasn’t all to be plain sailing for Pooler though. A couple of penalty concessions gave the home side field position and their strong pack applied pressure that led to tries for Andrew and Roach. Both tries were converted by Lloyd and Pooler’s early lead had been significantly dented (14-21). Meek settled the Pooler nerves with a penalty as a pulsating first half drew to a close. Half time score Newport 14 : Pontypool 24.

Pooler made a great start to the second half when a run by Pat Lewis down the right touchline led to him scoring an excellent try in the corner. The conversion failed but Pooler had increased their lead to fifteen points at 14-29. A few minutes later they increased their lead to eighteen points with a neat dropped goal from Meek (14-32).

Newport had rung the changes as they emptied their bench and it made a difference. They fully capitalised on Pooler handling errors and the awkward bounce of the ball to score two converted tries through Hope and Andrew in double quick time. This completely changed the complexion of the game with Pooler’s lead cut to just four points at 28-32. Momentum had swung and you were left wondering whether Pooler could hang on for a win rather than how many were they going to win by.

Pooler were making errors and missing tackles that they hadn’t done in the first half. The kick chase was not getting to those box kicks and allowing the dangerous Newport backs to run the ball back.  It was getting tense that was for sure. An excellent penalty from halfway by Meek opened up the lead to seven points at 28-35 but Newport were still within a score.

The equalising score was not long coming when Davies touched down wide out on the left. Lloyd converted and the scores were tied at 35-35 with Newport looking the more likely to snatch victory. It was indeed Newport who took the lead for the first time in the match with a penalty from Lloyd with little time remaining (38-35).

Pooler tried desperately to respond and were awarded a penalty just inside their half. They spurned the chance of  equalising and went for the win with a kick to touch. The lineout drill didn’t work out and that was that. Final score Newport 38 : Pontypool 35.

This was an excellent game of rugby with the result in doubt right until the final whistle. Pooler will be left wondering how they managed to lose a game that they seemed to have taken by the scruff of the neck. Still Pooler played some scintillating rugby in the first half and there is plenty of reason to feel positive. The modern playing surfaces have added a pace to the game and an even more unpredictable bounce of the ball. Something in me still yearns for those titanic battles in the mud that we used to know and love.

It looks now likely that Pooler will finish in fifth place in the league with three games left which is a creditable performance. Of course, there are no prizes for finishing top of the league only home advantage in the end of season playoffs. It does feel a bit ridiculous that you can finish bottom of the league and still win the SRC Trophy at the end of the season. The bottom four clubs play off for two places in the quarter finals. It is then a knockout to see who wins the trophy. If Pooler do finish fifth they will play away at the team finishing fourth which at the moment is Newport.

Next up for Pooler is a home game against Swansea on Thursday evening. The short turnaround will be a challenge after such a titanic struggle yesterday.

Come on Pooler!

Pooler Get There in the End

Pontypool took on Carmarthen Quins for the third time this season at Pontypool Park on a warm overcast afternoon. The first two encounters had taken place at Carmarthen with the teams gaining a victory apiece in high scoring matches. This then was the decider.

Pooler played up the slope in the first half and their forwards asserted themselves right from the off. After four minutes, Scarfe opened the scoring with a try from short range after strong work from the pack (5-0). Pooler continued to enjoy possession and territory and, after a long period of pressure in the Carmarthen Quins twenty-two, it was Bodkin who forced his way over for the try near the posts. Meek converted and Pooler had built a healthy lead at 12-0 with two tries in the bank.

Carmarthen then rather took charge of the game and dominated territorially. The Carmarthen scrum had the edge and this became a source of penalties. The penalties enabled the away side to gain a foothold in the Pooler twenty-two and the powerful driving of the Quins’ forwards led to two tries by hooker, Morgan, in the space of ten minutes one of which was converted by Price. This brought the scores level at 12-12 with the momentum with the away team.

On the half hour, Pooler edged back into the lead with a penalty from Meek after a rare visit to the Quins’ half. (15-12). Quins , however, continued to press and five minutes later loose head prop Fawcett scored a try after more pressure from the forwards. The conversion failed but Quins had taken the lead for the first time at 15-17.

The last action of the half saw Meek kick his second penalty to give Pooler a narrow first half lead at 18-17. It had been a half dominated by forward  driving which was a shame for the crowd as both sides looked to have plenty of pace in the threequarters. Neither side seemed to be able to move the ball with both defences closing them down before they could do any damage.

In the second half Pooler, playing down the slope, enjoyed territorial advantage keeping Carmarthen penned in their own half for much of the time. After ten minutes, Scarfe plunged over for his second try after a series of forward drives. Meek converted and Pooler were more than a score ahead at 25-17.

There followed a frustrating period as Pooler tried to turn possession and territory into points against a committed Carmarthen defence. The period coincided with the introduction of replacements from the benches with Pooler seemingly getting more benefit from the fresh legs. On the hour, Pooler had a try disallowed when the ball touched the referee in the build-up.

With around a quarter of an hour remaining, Pooler attacked down the left wing. The Quins defence was caught napping by Pooler scrum half Lloyd who spotted a gap down the touch line and managed to touch down in the corner with a spectacular dive despite the Quins cover getting to him. The conversion failed but Pooler were in command at 30-17 and had secured their bonus point.

It was all Pooler from then on with the introduction of the powerful ball carrying of Morgan Allen making holes in their tiring defence. It was Allen who powered over from a scrum near the Quins line to score Pooler’s fifth try that was converted by Meek (37-17) .

In the last minute, a brilliant break from replacement centre Nove almost saw him scoring a spectacular try. He was tackled just short but Morgan Lloyd was in close attendance and touched down for his second try of the afternoon. The conversion failed but Pooler had cantered home. Final score Pontypool 42 : Carmarthen Quins 17.

A solid victory for Pooler who used their forward power to gradually wear down a committed Carmarthen team. It was a shame we didn’t really see as much as we would have liked from an exciting looking backline but it was well marshalled by the Quins defence and was also guilty of too many handling errors.

I did watch the SRC cup final between Llandovery and Ebbw Vale on Thursday evening. It is a real shame that it received so little publicity and was on a Thursday evening in Llandovery. Live television coverage was restricted to streaming on S4C Clic. It makes you wonder just how seriously the WRU are taking Super Rygbi Cymru. For the record Llandovery won convincingly 39-7.

Next up for Pooler is a visit to Rodney Parade next weekend to take on Newport again. The game will actually be on Sunday afternoon. I do note that ticket prices have been inflated to £16 or £14 if you buy in advance. I guess if Pooler manage to win it would be well worth it.

Come on Pooler!

Wooden Wales Laid Waste by England

There are few feelings in life worse for a Welshman than watching their rugby team absolutely thrashed by England on their own patch. Wales were comprehensively outclassed in every department by their English counterparts yesterday. A game in which there were no redeeming features for Wales as far as I could see. And yes, it is that dreaded wooden spoon again.

The first few minutes of the match set the tone. England powered over from a lineout after Wales conceded a penalty. Wales had a try chalked off and then England went back into Wales territory and scored again. Wales were 0-14 down and all the pre-match hype and bravado had vanished. From then on, it was the proverbial men against boys. England didn’t have to do anything special they just used an excellent kicking game to gain territory and then seemed to score every time they got into the Welsh twenty-two. The rather hackneyed word used is “clinical” and that is exactly what England were . When Wales tried to attack, they came up against a white wall that virtually stopped them in their tracks. The England team were just quicker, stronger and better prepared.

This was abject misery for the Welsh fans watching on as their team were ground into the dust. The final score of Wales 14 : England 68 tells the story. I really don’t want to write any more about the mismatch.

I guess the big question is where do Wales go from here? The early Sherratt bounce has disappeared and Wales have now lost seventeen matches in a row and need to find a new director of rugby and head coach. Confidence must be at an all time low as is the Welsh ranking in world rugby. On one hand it is a great opportunity for someone to make a name for themselves on the other hand it is a poisoned chalice.

Wales have sunk so low it has to get better doesn’t it?

Pooler Out of Luck

A busy rugby weekend started with the little matter of Newport v Pontypool in the Super Rugby Cymru Cup. Barring an unexpected result both sides are effectively out of the cup so that match was played for bragging rights. The game took place at the Newport Stadium on a chilly dry night. The Newport Stadium is a good facility but somehow seems soulless which I guess is one of the problems with multi-purpose stadia. A decent crowd with both teams well- represented did not seem to be able to create the normally crackling atmosphere that pervades when these tow old rivals clash.

The first half was evenly contested with both sides showing a willingness to move the ball. Defences were on top and whenever one or other of the sides threatened it ended with a turnover either due to a handling error or strong defence. The teams were really evenly matched and it was going to need something exceptional to break the deadlock.

The stadium clock showed thirty eight minutes when the unexpected happened. A speculative kick ahead from Newport bounced near the right hand touchline and nine times out it ten it would have gone into touch. This time it bounced back perfectly into the arms of the chasing Newport players, Moments later Lloyd was dotting the ball down for a try that he converted himself (7-0). Minutes later another kick ahead bounced awkwardly in the Pooler twenty-two and this time Newport wing Andrew was the beneficiary scoring a try wide out on the right. Lloyd again converted and from nowhere Newport had built a 14-0 lead.

It was tough on Pooler to be 14-0 down at half time after such an even first half. Such are the vagaries of the bounce of a rugby ball.

Pooler needed to have a good start to the second half but there was calamity. A mix up in the Pooler mid-field led to Newport scrum half Hope being presented with the ball. He needed no second invitation and galloped up-field to score under the posts. A simple conversion for Lloyd and Pooler were 21-0 down.

Pooler then enjoyed their best period of the match as they attempted to retrieve what seemed to be a hopeless situation. Concerted pressure on the Newport line by the Pooler forwards saw Hill force his way over for a try that Meek converted. There was half an hour or so remaining so Pooler had plenty of time to stage their comeback.

Things looked even more optimistic when ten minutes later Walker Price crossed for Pooler’s second try after good work by the backs. Meek converted the try and Pooler were back within a score at 21-14.

Pooler were perhaps guilty of overplaying and conceded too many penalties as Newport bounced back. With ten minutes remaining, it was Newport who scored the all-important next try. Fullback Penny evaded some would-be tackles to score in the right corner. Lloyd again converted and Pooler were staring defeat in the face at 28-14.

Newport finished the stronger and a late penalty from Lloyd sealed their victory. Final score Newport 31 : Pontypool 14.

A good game with both sides trying to play open rugby. On this occasion perhaps the rub of the green went to Newport. We look forward to the next encounter this time in a league match at Rodney Parade in a couple of weeks. Next Saturday Pooler take on Carmarthen Quins at home. The have one victory each so far this season so this should be another close one.

I am off to Cardiff to watch Wales play England. Let us hope that Wales can show the same spirit that the Under 20s did and pull off an unlikely victory.

Come on Wales!

Come on Pooler!

Tries, Tries and Yet More Tries

A full day of rugby action started with Pontypool finally locking horns with Aberavon for the first time this season. Conditions were perfect for rugby at Pontypool Park with hazy sunshine and a gentle breeze blowing up the valley.

Pooler played down the slope in the first half and right from the start Aberavon dominated the game in terms of territory and possession. Pooler looked rusty and couldn’t really make any impression on a workmanlike Wizards side. Rather surprisingly, it was Pooler who opened the scoring with a typical powerful surge from Morgan Allen finishing off a rare incursion into the Aberavon twenty-two. Meek converted and it was fist blood to the home side against the run of play with twelve minutes played.

The rest of the first half hour of the match was eminently forgettable with Aberavon continuing to dominate but the Pooler defence keeping them out. There were a lot of scrums with a lot of scrums collapsing and the players and spectators alike were getting frustrated . Pooler’s prop Cochrane was yellow carded after a period of concerted pressure from the away side was countered illegally.

Suddenly, the game sprung into life and Aberavon got the reward for their efforts with a try by James and the conversion brought the scores level at 7-7. A minute or so later Pooler retook the lead when a break by Morgan Lloyd was supported by Marcus jones who touched down for a try which was converted by Meek (14-7). Almost before we could draw breath, Aberavon scrum half Horgan scooted over for an unconverted try (14-12). This was a remarkable turnaround in game that seemed to have gone to sleep.

The final few minutes of the first half saw yet more excitement. Morgan Allen forced his way over to add his second try which went unconverted  (19-12). Even then there was still time for Aberavon to hit back with a try by Jones in the right corner which also went unconverted (19-17). There had been five tries in the last ten minutes of the first half and it was difficult to predict an eventual winner.

The second half carried on where the first half had finished as both sides attacked at every opportunity. It was Aberavon who struck first with another try by winger Jones which was converted by Thomas. Aberavon had taken the lead for the first time at 19-24. Pooler bounced back and worked their way up the field and applied pressure through their forwards and finally prop Kelvin Williams barged over for a try that went unconverted but Pooler had levelled the scores at 24-24. This was breathless stuff and still anyone’s game.

After fifteen minutes of the second half, it was Aberavon who snatched the lead with some excellent running that saw fullback Gage score which with successful conversion made the score 24-31. A couple of minutes later, it was Pooler who did the running with Walker Price getting the touch down and Meek converting to bring the scores back level (31-31).

By this time, the benches had been deployed and there was a short lull as things settled down. With fifteen minutes remaining Aberavon took the pragmatic approach and kicked a penalty to re-establish their lead (31-34).

Five minutes later Pooler were back on the attack in the Aberavon twenty-two and it was scrum half Morgan Lloyd with a sniping run that gave Pooler the lead. Meek’s conversion gave Pooler a four point margin at 38-34 with ten minutes remaining.

It was no great surprise in the context of this rollercoaster of a match that Aberavon scored next. A kick ahead seemed to have gone into touch in goal in the left corner but the officials ruled that  Aberavon wing Jenkins had just managed to touch the ball down in time to score. The conversion from the touchline failed but, you guessed it, Aberavon were back in the lead by the narrowest of margins at 38-39.

The one thing you know about this Pooler squad is that they never give up. They marched back up the field to establish a position deep in the Wizards’ twenty-two. The clock was showing seventy eight minutes as the Pooler forwards hammered away. As so many times before, it was Matthews who applied the finishing touch as he forced his way over the line. A fine conversion from wide out on the right from Meek gave Pooler a six point cushion at 45-39.

In the context of this match, even with the time running out, you would not have put it past Aberavon to snatch a win with a last gasp try. Pooler, however, had other ideas and were able to keep possession from the kick off and wind the clock down to hold on to a remarkable victory. Final score Pontypool 45 : Aberavon 39.

What a tremendous game that ignited after a rather tame first half an hour. It is a shame that there had to be a loser with both sides contributing so much to an exhilarating second half. So well done to both sides.

I got back home in time to see the second half of Ireland v France and was treated to even more exhilarating rugby as the French cut loose to end Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes. Even without the injured Dupont, France were at their imperious best. Ireland’s two late tries when the game was effectively over gave a final score line of 27-42 which perhaps does not reflect the French dominance. France have a grip on the Six Nations’ Championship now knowing that a bonus point win against Scotland in Paris will secure the title.

Then there was Scotland v Wales at Murrayfield. Wales were effectively blown away in the first half by a rampant Scottish display which left them 28-8 in arrears. The Scottish backs proved too hot to handle and a further try early in the second half saw Scotland build a twenty seven point lead at 35-8. Scotland took off Finn Russell and seemed to lose direction while Wales, with nothing to lose, played some stirring attacking rugby coupled with resolute defence. Converted tries from Thomas and Teddy Williams saw Scotland’s lead shrink to thirteen points at 35-22.  Time was running out when Faletau seemed to have scored a try only for it to be disallowed as Murray was deemed to have jumped over  a would-be tackler. A last gasp converted try from Llewellyn did however at least give Wales two losing bonus points with final score 35-29. There is still a chance of Wales avoiding the dreaded wooden spoon.

Scotland would never have forgiven themselves if they had let this game slip through their fingers. For the first fifty minutes they were in complete control with Wales a distant second best. Wales are still very much off the pace in international rugby terms and there is much work for the incoming management team to do. The good news is that there is some promising material to work with as Wales demonstrated in the second half. It does sound a bit like the way people used to talk about Italy and even Argentina who have both shown what can be done.

Next up for Wales is the visit of England to Cardiff. If ever there was a time to break that pesky losing streak this is it! I can’t imagine there will be many changes to the Welsh team apart from those forced by injury. I think I would like to see Wainwright and Evans starting to freshen things up.

I don’t think I have ever seen so many tries scored in one day – it was quite exhausting!

Next up for Pontypool is a visit to Newport in the Super Rugby Wales cup. Pooler’s loss against Ebbw Vale has put paid to their chances of progressing but a game against the arch rivals in black and amber is always one to relish.

Come on Wales!

Ireland Lift the Triple Crown but Wales Far from Down

This was a big weekend for Welsh rugby. Wales under a new coaching regime would be taking on Ireland the current Six Nations Champions in Cardiff. Not many people in Wales were expecting Wales to beat Ireland but they were desperate to see some signs of a renaissance after an absolutely abysmal year or so. Matt Sherratt the new head coach is not a miracle worker but hopefully he could instill some belief and organisation in the short time he had been with the squad. The changes to personnel that he had made promised to bring a different approach.

The weekend started with disappointment as Pontypool’s fixture against Aberavon had to be postponed as the pitch at Pontypool Park was waterlogged after heavy rainfall. There were no such problems in Cardiff with the match played in the Principality Stadium with the roof firmly closed. I had decided not to go to Cardiff as it would surely be too much of a test for my new hip at this early stage.

Ireland quite quickly demonstrated why they are favourites for the Six Nations Championship with an all action first quarter. They dominated territory with strong carries and astute kicking and it came as no surprise when they opened the scoring with a try from Conan. You feared for Wales at this stage but gradually you started to see flashes of what the new team ethos was in attack and there was a solid Welsh scrum that was a welcome source of penalties.

Ireland added another penalty but Wales countered with two of their own. Wales were giving as good as they got at this stage. A high tackle and subsequent yellow card for Ringrose helped the Welsh cause and they deservedly took a 13-10 lead when Jac Morgan touched down after a period of concerted Welsh pressure. At half time, the Ringrose yellow card became a twenty minute red card.

Wales took advantage of their numerical superiority with a brilliant finish by Rogers who squeezed in at the corner. Wales were in dreamland at 18-10 with the crowd right behind them.

Ireland are not champions for nothing and they used their bench to inject energy. The gap was closed to 18-13 by a Pendergrast penalty and not long after Bundee Aki came on to bring Ireland back to full strength. The Irish kicking game was pinning Wales back and a pinpoint crosskick from Gibson-Park was tapped back by Lowe to Osborne who touched down in the corner. The conversion failed but it was 18-18 with the momentum with Ireland.

Wales were beginning to leak penalties as the Irish pressure told as they battled to protect their try line. Two more successful penalties from Prendergast saw Ireland take a 18-24 lead. Full credit to Wales as they threw everything at Ireland and Mee came within an ace of scoring a dramatic try in the left corner after great combined play. Unfortunately, it was chalked off and Ireland secured victory with yet another penalty from Prendergast. Final score Wales 18 : Ireland 27.

This was much, much better from Wales who pushed their illustrious opponents all the way. There were plenty of encouraging signs with both young and old members of the team stepping up a few levels from the previous matches. There were many more signs of organisation and cohesion in the backs and the whole team played with pride and commitment. In the end, it was the unity of purpose of the Irish that comes from playing together for so long backed up by an excellent kicking game that won the day. Congratulations to Ireland on winning the Triple Crown and a Grand Slam beckons if they can defeat the French in Dublin. Congratulations too to the Wales Under 20s who beat their Irish counterparts to increase the sense of optimism in the gloom of Welsh rugby.

Wales play Scotland next in Murrayfield in a couple of weeks which will be a tough challenge. The Scots were desperately unlucky not to beat England in Twickenham. They played the better rugby and in the end they lost be a single point and will rue the missed conversions.

No match for Pooler until March 14^th when they visit perennial rivals Newport in the Super Rugby Wales Cup. It looks like a blank Saturday next week on the rugby front .

Come on Wales!

Come on Pooler!