No Joy in Cardiff for Pooler

Pontypool were hoping to build on the previous week’s victory against Bridgend when they visited the capital to take on Cardiff. Pooler would have to get to grips with the artificial playing surface as well as a powerful looking Cardiff outfit.

There was a stiff breeze blowing down the ground towards the clubhouse and Pooler had it at their backs in the first half. Cardiff started the stronger and had Pooler pinned in their own twenty-two  for an extended period but Pooler’s defence held firm. From then on, the game was scrappy with neither side really getting a grip on proceedings. Pooler’s lineout was misfiring which certainly did not help their cause. As the first quarter came to an end Pooler took a narrow lead with a penalty from Meek (0-3).

In the second quarter, Cardiff began to get a degree of ascendancy as Pooler gave away a string of penalties. This gave the home side field position and on the half hour, after a series of forward drives, Rees touched down for a Cardiff try. The try was unconverted but Cardiff now held a slender lead (5-3). Pooler had a glimmer of a chance just before the interval after an interception saw Matthews galloping down field but unfortunately the referee blew his whistle for an earlier offence.

The half time score was disappointing for Pontypool who had not really taken advantage of the breeze. Nevertheless, they were still well in touch but needed to step things up in the second half.

The second half turned out to be dominated by Cardiff who used the breeze and the bounce of the ball really well. After about ten minutes Pooler failed to deal with a probing Cardiff kick. The ball rolled into touch near the Pooler try line. It was Pooler’s throw in but yet another lineout went wrong. The ball went loose and Cottle scored for Cardiff. With the successful conversion, Cardiff now led 12-3.

Five minutes later the Cardiff backs cut through the Pooler defence and Cardiff right wing Goodchild just about managed to get the ball down for a try with a spectacular dive in the corner. The conversion was taken form about half an inch from the touchline but sailed wide. Cardiff now held a healthy 17-3 lead with Pooler not really looking like they were in the kind of form to challenge it. Of course, Pooler have come back from such precarious positions before so we could hope - albeit forlornly.

In truth, the match was now completely under the home side’s control. Early in the final quarter they added their fourth and bonus point try after more pressure in the Pooler twenty-two. This time it was scored by Fry and with the conversion it was all up for Pooler at 24-3 as Cardiff held any of Pooler’s attacking intent at bay fairly comfortably.

In the 77^th minute Cardiff scored their fifth try after again camping in Pooler’s twenty-two. This time it was replacement hooker Parry who scored from short range. The conversion was good and it was now 31-3.

A brief attacking flurry in the final minute or so from Pooler came to nothing and they were left tryless and well-beaten.

Final score Cardiff 31 : Pontypool 3

This was a discouraging defeat for Pontypool who looked a shadow of the team that had performed so well the previous weekend. Cardiff are a good side and just outplayed Pooler in every area. A key area of concern was the lineout which misfired far too many times. Time for reflection is short with the next match on Thursday against Aberavon at home.

Well now we know, there will be just three professional teams in Wales some time in the next few years. It feels very much like the WRU have read Donald Trump’s book about deal making. They led everyone to believe that there would only be two teams and then came up with three to make it seem like a good deal. It will be one in Cardiff and one in the West and one in the East (presumably the Dragons). How they manage to decide exactly what will happen in the West is anyone’s guess as the Scarlets and Ospreys need to become one somehow. Good luck with that!

I have to admit I didn’t stay in Cardiff to watch the Edinburgh game but I did see that Cardiff had won narrowly so at least someone was happy. The Dragons had a chance to beat the Ospreys but a late penalty miss saw them settle for a draw.

So on to Thursday and Pooler’s last game before the break for the Autumn internationals. Aberavon always make things difficult but let us hope for a Pooler bounce-back.

Come on Pooler!

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!