Pontypool visited Bridgend Ravens hoping to translate their much improved form in the SRC Cup into points in the league. This was a real basement battle with the two sides occupying the bottom rungs of the ladder.
Conditions
were good for rugby with a dry dull day and little breeze and the pitch looking
in excellent condition. Pooler kicked off and were quickly into their stride
and went close before they spread the ball wide after winning a lineout just
inside the Bridgend half. Crisp passing saw Marcus Jones put clear and he
touched down for a try in the left corner (0-5). The conversion failed but
Pooler were off to a good start with ten minutes played – something quite
unusual when they take on Bridgend.
Pooler continued
to dominate the game but were guilty of missing out on a number of good scoring
opportunities. The Pooler scrum was well on top and they spent a lot of time in
the home twenty-two. At the end of the quarter, Pooler settled for three points
from the boot of Meek (0-8).
Shortly
after this Bridgend made their first meaningful incursion into the Pooler half
but their enterprising attack from inside their own half fizzled out. It was a
warning of what the home side could do given space. Pooler responded immediately
when Morgan Allen charged down an attempted box kick from a Bridgend lineout
and won the race to get to the ball to score Pooler’s second try which again
went unconverted (0-13).
Pooler
nearly scored ten minutes later after tremendous pressure on the Bridgend line
but were denied by the touchline. From the ensuing lineout just a few yards
from their line, Bridgend stormed up the field. Some incisive running and a
well-placed cross kick saw Jones score in the left corner. The try was
converted by Burnell and completely against the run of play the home side had
reduced Pooler’s lead to 7-13.
With time
running out in the first half, Pooler stormed back into the Bridgend twenty-two.
Gatt the home wing was shown a yellow card and Pooler kicked to the corner. A
powerful surge by the forwards after a lineout saw Scarfe touch down for their
third try. This time Meek converted which gave Pooler a useful 7-20 lead at
half time.
This had been
a half that Pooler had dominated and they really should have built a bigger
lead. Bridgend had only shown a couple of glimpses of what they could do with
more possession.
Bridgend
would start the second half with fourteen men and they also brought on three replacements.
It was if Bridgend were a team of Popeye’s who had been given tins of spinach
at half time. They looked a team transformed and emerged full of energy and
intent. Within a couple of minutes of the restart, a quick tap penalty saw them
racing clear with Jevons scoring with Pooler looking half awake. The conversion
from Burnell put the home side within a score at 14-20.
Pooler hit
back straight from the kick off which Bridgend failed to secure. Marcus Jones
went over for his second try and secured the bonus point for Pooler. The
conversion from Meek restored Pooler’s lead (14-27).
Nothing could
have prepared the players and spectators from both sides for what happened
next. Bridgend took complete charge of the game and left Pooler floundering and
looking completely off the pace. Bridgend played with a verve that had looked
most unlikely in the first forty minutes. Suddenly everything went right for
the home side and everything that could go wrong for the visitors went wrong.
The Pooler scrum was still dominant but the referee even penalised that.
Bridgend scored
their third try after seven minutes of the half through the just returned Gatt
which Burnell converted (21-27). A few minutes later Bridgend took the lead
after Meek’s kick ahead was charged down and Florence scored after good passing
by the Bridgend backs. Burnell again converted and Bridgend had taken the lead
(28-27). Pooler looked shell-shocked and the match had been turned on its head
in less than fifteen minutes.
There was
absolutely no doubt that the momentum was with the home side and they piled on
the pressure. Pooler seemed to have no answer to the pace and passion of the
home side. Bridgend were happy to run the ball from everywhere as they saw
Pooler wilt.
Bridgend
piled on the points with three tries in quick succession through Gatt, Williams
and Ryan Wilkins only one of which was converted by Burnell. This put the home
side well clear and from 7-20 at half time it was now 45-27.
Pooler
rallied for ten minutes or so and even put together a series of attacks but
nothing really went right as the home side coasted to victory.
It was
left to Bridgend to put the finishing touches to the rout when Lloyd Wilkins
scored in the dying minutes. The try was not converted but Bridgend had brought
up the half century in the final ignominy for Pontypool.
Final
score Bridgend Ravens 50 : Pontypool 27.
People
often talk about a game of two halves with tongues in cheeks but if there ever
was one this was it. All Pooler in the first half and all Bridgend in the
second and how! For Pooler, there will need to be some soul-searching and tough
conversations as to how a game that was seemingly under control became a rout.
You can only congratulate Bridgend on the quality of their play in that scintillating
second half that left Pooler gasping. An away fixture against Swansea is just
around the corner and Pooler will have little time to lick their wounds.
It would
be remiss of me not to mention the Six Nations Championship. As expected, Wales
lost in Dublin but can take heart from another step forward as the team
continues to improve. The superb defensive effort was particularly stirring and
Wales were unlucky not to come away with at least a losing bonus point (27-17).
The Welsh attack needs to be sharpened up if they are to start winning but hats
off to Carre for his try – a prop showing the backs what to do. Then there were
home wins for Scotland who beat tournament favourites France and Italy who
piled more pressure on the English management team by beating England for the
first time. Amazing to see how the mighty England who considered themselves
World Cup winners elect have fallen apart. Yes, the chariot seems to have lost
a wheel or two.
Wales play
Italy at home next week while England travel to France. It is still
mathematically possible for England to get the wooden spoon but highly unlikely
when points difference is considered. Wales will have it all to do to beat a
confident Italian side that have few weaknesses.
Pooler play Swansea away next Saturday. It is one that I
will miss as I will be in Cardiff for the Wales match.
Come on Wales!
Come on Pooler!
