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 off. 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 right and ended up on the left 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!