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!