Pontypool took on Aberavon under floodlights at Pontypool Park with the TV cameras rolling. Pooler really needed to bounce back after their rather tame display against Cardiff. The weather was squally with patches of rain and a swirling wind with Pooler playing down the slope but mostly against the wind in the first half. Pooler really looked up for it in the first half and a strong burst down the right wing by Rosser was supported by scrum half Lloyd who crossed for an unconverted try after eight minutes (0-7).
The rest of the first quarter was a bit scrappy as the
rain came and went but Pooler were getting the better of the exchanges. They
missed a couple of good scoring opportunities which we hoped wouldn’t come back
to haunt them.
In the twenty fifth minute, Pooler added to their
tally when a deft kick ahead from Meek was gathered by McDonough who rounded
the full back to score near the posts. Meek converted and Pooler now led 12-0.
Ten minutes later after more pressure from Pooler No 8
Ieuan Jones powered over from a scrum near the Aberavon line. Meek again converted
and Pooler had built a substantial lead at 19-0.
As the first half drew to a close, Aberavon fought
their way back into the game with a try from Whitlock after sustained pressure on
the Pontypool line. Thomas converted and so at half time Pontypool led 19-7.
The weather deteriorated in the second half and the
rainfall increased as the half progressed. It was Aberavon who struck first
with an unconverted try after seven minutes following a penalty awarded against
Pooler gave the away side field position (19-12). The momentum was certainly beginning
to switch to Aberavon. Pooler needed to reassert themselves and worked their
way into the Aberavon twenty two. In the fifty fifth minute, a long passage of
forward pressure finally saw the ball come out to Meek who touched down for a
try. His conversion attempt hit a post but stayed out but it was 24-12 and the
try bonus point had been secured.
The rain really started to hammer down and it was
almost monsoon conditions. Both sides had emptied their benches and it was the Aberavon
who handled the difficult conditions the better by using a superior kicking
game. Pooler certainly did not help their cause by leaking too many penalties which gave the away side field position.
After more pressure, Aberavon scored an unconverted
try and had now closed the gap to 24-17 with ten minutes remaining. Aberavon
were on top and Pooler’s sporadic attacks came to nought while their defence
had to work overtime. A few minutes later, Aberavon scored their fourth try
when Carson Jones touched down. Cullen converted and the scores were now tied
at 24-24.
With a couple of minutes left, Pooler had a chance to
break out of the Aberavon stranglehold but a kick ahead was fielded by the
Aberavon defence and returned with interest. Pooler were back in their twenty
two. Pooler conceded yet another penalty and after Aberavon failed to gain any
advantage play was called back and they decided to have a shot at goal. This
was actually the last action of the match and as the kick from Cullen sailed between
the posts the Pooler contingent’s hearts sank. Aberavon had snatched victory at the death
with the final score Pontypool 24 : Aberavon 27.
This really was a game that Pontypool should have won
but they let things slip and the momentum shifted towards Aberavon in the last
quarter. Aberavon did handle the monsoon conditions better and took their
chances so well done to them. Pooler conceded too many penalties which in the
end cost them dear. A similar thing happened to Pooler against RGC in equally atrocious
weather conditions earlier in the season.
There is now a long break before the next game so Pontypool
will have a chance to reflect on the campaign so far which has been rather disappointing
by the high standards that they set themselves. There is plenty to work on.
Come on Pooler!
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