Pooler Spring into Life

Pontypool’s last home league match of the season was against Llandovery. This would be the third meeting of the season with Pooler having lost two encounters in West Wales. The last defeat in the semi-final of the cup had been particularly hard to bear as Pooler were leading with less than a minute remaining on the clock. There is no denying that Pooler have been in the doldrums of late but here was an opportunity to end the season with a home win to cheer us all up.

It was a grey breezy day with the wind blowing up the slope but seeming to swirl around a lot. Pooler started well playing up the slope and attacked the Llandovery line but could not open the scoring. Llandovery were awarded a couple of penalties and used them to good effect and took play down deep into the Pooler twenty-two.  A powerful lineout drive from the Drovers saw Gemine plunge over the line for a try. Maynard converted and it was first blood to the visitors at 0-7 after nine minutes.

Pooler were guilty of a missing too many tackles and that allowed the Llandovery attackers to make ground. As the first quarter drew to a close, powerful Llandovery left wing Aaron Warren scored two tries and on both occasions the Pooler defence seemed full of holes. The second was straight from the kick-off after the first with Maynard converting the second try. Pooler were already staring down the barrel of another defeat at 0-17.

Pooler did not quite see it that way and hit back on twenty minutes with a well-worked try of their own.  The backs moved the ball right and substitute full back Ellis Davies made a half break that allowed Duggan space to run and he scored Pooler’s first try. This was converted by Meek and brought the score to 17-7.

Llandovery resumed their offensive on the Pooler line and, after about half an hour played, they had a lineout a few yards out. This time they scored with a well-worked front peel from the lineout with hooker Lewis touching down in the left corner. An excellent conversion from Maynard in the tricky wind saw the Drovers regain their seventeen points lead at 7-24 and a bonus point in the bag.

Pooler did not take this lying down and attacked down the left flank. They were held up deep in the Llandovery twenty-two. This resulted in a yellow card for Llandovery and a great attacking position for Pooler. In the dying minutes of the first half, Pooler attacked through their forwards. After some near misses it was Randall who got the ball down over the line. Meek converted and Pooler had closed the gap to 14-24 with the second half to come.

Pooler were still well in the game and no doubt there would be some lively discussions in the confines of the changing room.

The second half began with Llandovery hammering away at the Pooler line. Some brilliant defending saw Pooler repel wave after wave of Llandovery forward surges. Pooler held out at the cost of a yellow card for Scarfe. This tremendous goal line stand seemed to represent a turning point in the match. From then on, Pooler seemed to grow in confidence and wrested control of the match from the visitors.

The tactical substitutions began and this seemed to further invigorate Pooler.  After about a quarter of an hour of the second half Pooler attacked spreading the ball left after a lineout. Fullback Ellis Davies jinked his way over the line for a try that Meek converted. The gap was down to just three points at 21-24.

The Pooler forwards took charge and it was great to see Mike Herbert back after a long injury layoff. It was all Pooler now and the crowd sensed that a victory was in sight. Scarfe touched down after a powerful drive by the forwards following a lineout near the Llandovery line. Meek again converted and Pooler were now in the lead at 28-24 and had secured their own try bonus point with almost a full quarter remaining.

Pooler continued to press and had the put-in at a scrum five metres from the visitors’ line. Number eight Matthews picked up from the base of the scrum and attacked the blindside. He scored virtually unopposed in the left corner. The conversion failed but it was now 33-24 and Pooler were two scores ahead with less than quarter of an hour remaining.

More was to follow for Pooler where a break by Pooler scum half Lewis saw him score their sixth try of the afternoon from twenty metres or so out. Meek converted and Pooler were now well clear at 40-24 and holding an extra bonus point.

The last five minutes saw Llandovery on the attack but Pooler were determined to hold on to the extra bonus point and defended as if their lives depended upon it. They succeeded in that ambition and there were scenes of jubilation in the Park at the final whistle that we have not seen for far too long.

Final score Pontypool 40 : Llandovery 24.

Wow! A brilliant second half performance from Pooler following a largely unpromising first half. Pooler seemed to be a team transformed after their tremendous defending at the beginning of the second half. To “win” the second half 26-0 against a strong team like Llandovery is some achievement. Hearty congratulations to everyone involved.

Next up for Pooler is a visit to Rodney Parade on Thursday evening to continue our longstanding rivalry with Newport. This victory will surely give Pooler a much-needed confidence boost for what will, no doubt, be a fierce encounter. This will be the last league match of the season and it looks like Pooler will finish bottom of the league so overall it what must go down as a disappointing season. From then we move into the play-offs and most likely a visit to RGC or Carmarthen Quins.

It would be great to finish off the league with a win at Newport though wouldn’t it!

Come on Pooler!