Pooler Bounce Back

I have to confess that due to a long lunch in Birmingham and the vagaries of the rail system I did not manage to get to the Park yesterday evening to watch Pontypool take on Swansea. I did, however, catch it on the TV. It is a shame that after a few days of glorious weather that the rain fell during the match.

As for the match, Pooler played up the slope in the first half and had much the better of the opening exchanges. The backs looked sharp and the forwards drove powerfully. Rhodri Cole playing at scrum half on permit was a good link between forwards and backs and kicked well. It was no surprise when Pooler took the lead after seven minutes through a try from Robey that was converted by Meek (7-0). This was quickly followed by a Meek penalty to increase the lead to 10-0.

The fortunes of the match then swung dramatically as for the next twenty minutes Swansea dominated possession and territory. Pooler were guilty of conceding penalties but Swansea played with cohesion and not a little flair with full back Houston, in particular, a really slippery runner. In this period, Swansea scored three converted tries as they exerted immense pressure on a committed Pooler defence. The tries from Temblett, Edwards and Jones were all converted by Phillips and the match had swung very much Swansea’s way (10-21).

Pooler needed to respond and a penalty from Meek stemmed the flow (13-21). The last few minutes of the first half belonged with Pooler attacking ferociously through their forwards. Swansea were giving away penalties and that led to a yellow card for their tight head prop Thompson. This gave the Pooler pack just the edge that they needed and substitute hooker Chapman touched down after a lineout drive. Meek converted and at half time Pooler were just one point behind at 20-21.

Early in the second half, Swansea took off their right wing to allow for a prop to come on as a yellow card replacement. Their lack of cover wide out on the right was expertly exploited who spotted Marcus Jones in acres of space. His accurate kick was fielded by Jones who raced fifty metres to score under the posts. A conversion from Meek and Pooler were back in the lead at 27-21.

The momentum was now with Pooler but Swansea still looked dangerous and it was in fact Swansea that scored next through a penalty from Phillips (27-24) . Pooler then took charge with the forwards gaining the upper hand with Morgan Allen particularly prominent with his powerful ball carrying. It was Matthews, on as a substitute, who drove over to score Pooler’s bonus point try which was again converted by Meek (34-24). Five minutes later, Ieuan Jones added a fifth try when he drove over from short range. With the Meek conversion Pooler had surely secured the victory at 41-24.

Swansea did not give up and they strove hard to get a bonus point. They were assisted in this by a yellow card for Pooler flanker Davies. After considerable Swansea pressure, substitute hooker Austin touched down at the end of a forward drive. The try was converted by Rees and Swansea had their try bonus point (41-31) with only a couple of minutes remaining. There was no further scoring so the final score was Pontypool 41 : Swansea 31.

A good game with Pooler doing well to bounce back from the period of Swansea dominance in the first half. This of course was also on the back of that tough game against Newport on Sunday. Scrum half Cole did really well considering he was only drafted into the team at such short notice but it was the pack that ground out the important tries to secure victory.

Pooler have now surely guaranteed at least fifth place in the league. Fourth place still looks a tough ask but all they can do is try and win their last two games against Aberavon (a) and Cardiff (h) and hope that other results go their way.

Next up for Pooler is Aberavon away next Thursday evening in another televised match.

Come on Pooler! 

The One That Got Away from Pooler

I have to confess to being a bit pink around the gills this morning after my trip to Costa del Rodney yesterday. I was at a sun drenched Rodney Parade to watch Pontypool play Newport for the third time this season. This time in a league match with the score 1-1 so far. The Bisley stand proved to be a veritable sun trap with a good crowd bathed in the late March sunshine.

Pontypool playing against a gentle breeze made all  the early running. The played at a pace that left Newport looking cumbersome and shell-shocked as they moved the ball wide at every opportunity. Pooler opened the scoring after ten minutes when Morgan Lloyd intercepted in midfield and sprinted home to touch down under the posts. Meek converted and Pooler had stormed to a 0-7 lead.

Pooler continued to dominate and moved the ball wide to the left wing where Marcus Jones made ground and found Pat Lewis in support. Lewis touched down for a try to mark his return to the team after an injury layoff. Meek converted and Pooler were 0-14 to the good.

Better news still was to follow after twenty five minutes when Rosser stormed down the right wing to beat four or five defenders to score wide out. Meek again converted and Pooler were in dreamland at 0-21 and three tries in the bag.

It wasn’t all to be plain sailing for Pooler though. A couple of penalty concessions gave the home side field position and their strong pack applied pressure that led to tries for Andrew and Roach. Both tries were converted by Lloyd and Pooler’s early lead had been significantly dented (14-21). Meek settled the Pooler nerves with a penalty as a pulsating first half drew to a close. Half time score Newport 14 : Pontypool 24.

Pooler made a great start to the second half when a run by Pat Lewis down the right touchline led to him scoring an excellent try in the corner. The conversion failed but Pooler had increased their lead to fifteen points at 14-29. A few minutes later they increased their lead to eighteen points with a neat dropped goal from Meek (14-32).

Newport had rung the changes as they emptied their bench and it made a difference. They fully capitalised on Pooler handling errors and the awkward bounce of the ball to score two converted tries through Hope and Andrew in double quick time. This completely changed the complexion of the game with Pooler’s lead cut to just four points at 28-32. Momentum had swung and you were left wondering whether Pooler could hang on for a win rather than how many were they going to win by.

Pooler were making errors and missing tackles that they hadn’t done in the first half. The kick chase was not getting to those box kicks and allowing the dangerous Newport backs to run the ball back.  It was getting tense that was for sure. An excellent penalty from halfway by Meek opened up the lead to seven points at 28-35 but Newport were still within a score.

The equalising score was not long coming when Davies touched down wide out on the left. Lloyd converted and the scores were tied at 35-35 with Newport looking the more likely to snatch victory. It was indeed Newport who took the lead for the first time in the match with a penalty from Lloyd with little time remaining (38-35).

Pooler tried desperately to respond and were awarded a penalty just inside their half. They spurned the chance of  equalising and went for the win with a kick to touch. The lineout drill didn’t work out and that was that. Final score Newport 38 : Pontypool 35.

This was an excellent game of rugby with the result in doubt right until the final whistle. Pooler will be left wondering how they managed to lose a game that they seemed to have taken by the scruff of the neck. Still Pooler played some scintillating rugby in the first half and there is plenty of reason to feel positive. The modern playing surfaces have added a pace to the game and an even more unpredictable bounce of the ball. Something in me still yearns for those titanic battles in the mud that we used to know and love.

It looks now likely that Pooler will finish in fifth place in the league with three games left which is a creditable performance. Of course, there are no prizes for finishing top of the league only home advantage in the end of season playoffs. It does feel a bit ridiculous that you can finish bottom of the league and still win the SRC Trophy at the end of the season. The bottom four clubs play off for two places in the quarter finals. It is then a knockout to see who wins the trophy. If Pooler do finish fifth they will play away at the team finishing fourth which at the moment is Newport.

Next up for Pooler is a home game against Swansea on Thursday evening. The short turnaround will be a challenge after such a titanic struggle yesterday.

Come on Pooler!

Pooler Get There in the End

Pontypool took on Carmarthen Quins for the third time this season at Pontypool Park on a warm overcast afternoon. The first two encounters had taken place at Carmarthen with the teams gaining a victory apiece in high scoring matches. This then was the decider.

Pooler played up the slope in the first half and their forwards asserted themselves right from the off. After four minutes, Scarfe opened the scoring with a try from short range after strong work from the pack (5-0). Pooler continued to enjoy possession and territory and, after a long period of pressure in the Carmarthen Quins twenty-two, it was Bodkin who forced his way over for the try near the posts. Meek converted and Pooler had built a healthy lead at 12-0 with two tries in the bank.

Carmarthen then rather took charge of the game and dominated territorially. The Carmarthen scrum had the edge and this became a source of penalties. The penalties enabled the away side to gain a foothold in the Pooler twenty-two and the powerful driving of the Quins’ forwards led to two tries by hooker, Morgan, in the space of ten minutes one of which was converted by Price. This brought the scores level at 12-12 with the momentum with the away team.

On the half hour, Pooler edged back into the lead with a penalty from Meek after a rare visit to the Quins’ half. (15-12). Quins , however, continued to press and five minutes later loose head prop Fawcett scored a try after more pressure from the forwards. The conversion failed but Quins had taken the lead for the first time at 15-17.

The last action of the half saw Meek kick his second penalty to give Pooler a narrow first half lead at 18-17. It had been a half dominated by forward  driving which was a shame for the crowd as both sides looked to have plenty of pace in the threequarters. Neither side seemed to be able to move the ball with both defences closing them down before they could do any damage.

In the second half Pooler, playing down the slope, enjoyed territorial advantage keeping Carmarthen penned in their own half for much of the time. After ten minutes, Scarfe plunged over for his second try after a series of forward drives. Meek converted and Pooler were more than a score ahead at 25-17.

There followed a frustrating period as Pooler tried to turn possession and territory into points against a committed Carmarthen defence. The period coincided with the introduction of replacements from the benches with Pooler seemingly getting more benefit from the fresh legs. On the hour, Pooler had a try disallowed when the ball touched the referee in the build-up.

With around a quarter of an hour remaining, Pooler attacked down the left wing. The Quins defence was caught napping by Pooler scrum half Lloyd who spotted a gap down the touch line and managed to touch down in the corner with a spectacular dive despite the Quins cover getting to him. The conversion failed but Pooler were in command at 30-17 and had secured their bonus point.

It was all Pooler from then on with the introduction of the powerful ball carrying of Morgan Allen making holes in their tiring defence. It was Allen who powered over from a scrum near the Quins line to score Pooler’s fifth try that was converted by Meek (37-17) .

In the last minute, a brilliant break from replacement centre Nove almost saw him scoring a spectacular try. He was tackled just short but Morgan Lloyd was in close attendance and touched down for his second try of the afternoon. The conversion failed but Pooler had cantered home. Final score Pontypool 42 : Carmarthen Quins 17.

A solid victory for Pooler who used their forward power to gradually wear down a committed Carmarthen team. It was a shame we didn’t really see as much as we would have liked from an exciting looking backline but it was well marshalled by the Quins defence and was also guilty of too many handling errors.

I did watch the SRC cup final between Llandovery and Ebbw Vale on Thursday evening. It is a real shame that it received so little publicity and was on a Thursday evening in Llandovery. Live television coverage was restricted to streaming on S4C Clic. It makes you wonder just how seriously the WRU are taking Super Rygbi Cymru. For the record Llandovery won convincingly 39-7.

Next up for Pooler is a visit to Rodney Parade next weekend to take on Newport again. The game will actually be on Sunday afternoon. I do note that ticket prices have been inflated to £16 or £14 if you buy in advance. I guess if Pooler manage to win it would be well worth it.

Come on Pooler!

Wooden Wales Laid Waste by England

There are few feelings in life worse for a Welshman than watching their rugby team absolutely thrashed by England on their own patch. Wales were comprehensively outclassed in every department by their English counterparts yesterday. A game in which there were no redeeming features for Wales as far as I could see. And yes, it is that dreaded wooden spoon again.

The first few minutes of the match set the tone. England powered over from a lineout after Wales conceded a penalty. Wales had a try chalked off and then England went back into Wales territory and scored again. Wales were 0-14 down and all the pre-match hype and bravado had vanished. From then on, it was the proverbial men against boys. England didn’t have to do anything special they just used an excellent kicking game to gain territory and then seemed to score every time they got into the Welsh twenty-two. The rather hackneyed word used is “clinical” and that is exactly what England were . When Wales tried to attack, they came up against a white wall that virtually stopped them in their tracks. The England team were just quicker, stronger and better prepared.

This was abject misery for the Welsh fans watching on as their team were ground into the dust. The final score of Wales 14 : England 68 tells the story. I really don’t want to write any more about the mismatch.

I guess the big question is where do Wales go from here? The early Sherratt bounce has disappeared and Wales have now lost seventeen matches in a row and need to find a new director of rugby and head coach. Confidence must be at an all time low as is the Welsh ranking in world rugby. On one hand it is a great opportunity for someone to make a name for themselves on the other hand it is a poisoned chalice.

Wales have sunk so low it has to get better doesn’t it?

Pooler Out of Luck

A busy rugby weekend started with the little matter of Newport v Pontypool in the Super Rugby Cymru Cup. Barring an unexpected result both sides are effectively out of the cup so that match was played for bragging rights. The game took place at the Newport Stadium on a chilly dry night. The Newport Stadium is a good facility but somehow seems soulless which I guess is one of the problems with multi-purpose stadia. A decent crowd with both teams well- represented did not seem to be able to create the normally crackling atmosphere that pervades when these tow old rivals clash.

The first half was evenly contested with both sides showing a willingness to move the ball. Defences were on top and whenever one or other of the sides threatened it ended with a turnover either due to a handling error or strong defence. The teams were really evenly matched and it was going to need something exceptional to break the deadlock.

The stadium clock showed thirty eight minutes when the unexpected happened. A speculative kick ahead from Newport bounced near the right hand touchline and nine times out it ten it would have gone into touch. This time it bounced back perfectly into the arms of the chasing Newport players, Moments later Lloyd was dotting the ball down for a try that he converted himself (7-0). Minutes later another kick ahead bounced awkwardly in the Pooler twenty-two and this time Newport wing Andrew was the beneficiary scoring a try wide out on the right. Lloyd again converted and from nowhere Newport had built a 14-0 lead.

It was tough on Pooler to be 14-0 down at half time after such an even first half. Such are the vagaries of the bounce of a rugby ball.

Pooler needed to have a good start to the second half but there was calamity. A mix up in the Pooler mid-field led to Newport scrum half Hope being presented with the ball. He needed no second invitation and galloped up-field to score under the posts. A simple conversion for Lloyd and Pooler were 21-0 down.

Pooler then enjoyed their best period of the match as they attempted to retrieve what seemed to be a hopeless situation. Concerted pressure on the Newport line by the Pooler forwards saw Hill force his way over for a try that Meek converted. There was half an hour or so remaining so Pooler had plenty of time to stage their comeback.

Things looked even more optimistic when ten minutes later Walker Price crossed for Pooler’s second try after good work by the backs. Meek converted the try and Pooler were back within a score at 21-14.

Pooler were perhaps guilty of overplaying and conceded too many penalties as Newport bounced back. With ten minutes remaining, it was Newport who scored the all-important next try. Fullback Penny evaded some would-be tackles to score in the right corner. Lloyd again converted and Pooler were staring defeat in the face at 28-14.

Newport finished the stronger and a late penalty from Lloyd sealed their victory. Final score Newport 31 : Pontypool 14.

A good game with both sides trying to play open rugby. On this occasion perhaps the rub of the green went to Newport. We look forward to the next encounter this time in a league match at Rodney Parade in a couple of weeks. Next Saturday Pooler take on Carmarthen Quins at home. The have one victory each so far this season so this should be another close one.

I am off to Cardiff to watch Wales play England. Let us hope that Wales can show the same spirit that the Under 20s did and pull off an unlikely victory.

Come on Wales!

Come on Pooler!

Tries, Tries and Yet More Tries

A full day of rugby action started with Pontypool finally locking horns with Aberavon for the first time this season. Conditions were perfect for rugby at Pontypool Park with hazy sunshine and a gentle breeze blowing up the valley.

Pooler played down the slope in the first half and right from the start Aberavon dominated the game in terms of territory and possession. Pooler looked rusty and couldn’t really make any impression on a workmanlike Wizards side. Rather surprisingly, it was Pooler who opened the scoring with a typical powerful surge from Morgan Allen finishing off a rare incursion into the Aberavon twenty-two. Meek converted and it was fist blood to the home side against the run of play with twelve minutes played.

The rest of the first half hour of the match was eminently forgettable with Aberavon continuing to dominate but the Pooler defence keeping them out. There were a lot of scrums with a lot of scrums collapsing and the players and spectators alike were getting frustrated . Pooler’s prop Cochrane was yellow carded after a period of concerted pressure from the away side was countered illegally.

Suddenly, the game sprung into life and Aberavon got the reward for their efforts with a try by James and the conversion brought the scores level at 7-7. A minute or so later Pooler retook the lead when a break by Morgan Lloyd was supported by Marcus jones who touched down for a try which was converted by Meek (14-7). Almost before we could draw breath, Aberavon scrum half Horgan scooted over for an unconverted try (14-12). This was a remarkable turnaround in game that seemed to have gone to sleep.

The final few minutes of the first half saw yet more excitement. Morgan Allen forced his way over to add his second try which went unconverted  (19-12). Even then there was still time for Aberavon to hit back with a try by Jones in the right corner which also went unconverted (19-17). There had been five tries in the last ten minutes of the first half and it was difficult to predict an eventual winner.

The second half carried on where the first half had finished as both sides attacked at every opportunity. It was Aberavon who struck first with another try by winger Jones which was converted by Thomas. Aberavon had taken the lead for the first time at 19-24. Pooler bounced back and worked their way up the field and applied pressure through their forwards and finally prop Kelvin Williams barged over for a try that went unconverted but Pooler had levelled the scores at 24-24. This was breathless stuff and still anyone’s game.

After fifteen minutes of the second half, it was Aberavon who snatched the lead with some excellent running that saw fullback Gage score which with successful conversion made the score 24-31. A couple of minutes later, it was Pooler who did the running with Walker Price getting the touch down and Meek converting to bring the scores back level (31-31).

By this time, the benches had been deployed and there was a short lull as things settled down. With fifteen minutes remaining Aberavon took the pragmatic approach and kicked a penalty to re-establish their lead (31-34).

Five minutes later Pooler were back on the attack in the Aberavon twenty-two and it was scrum half Morgan Lloyd with a sniping run that gave Pooler the lead. Meek’s conversion gave Pooler a four point margin at 38-34 with ten minutes remaining.

It was no great surprise in the context of this rollercoaster of a match that Aberavon scored next. A kick ahead seemed to have gone into touch in goal in the left corner but the officials ruled that  Aberavon wing Jenkins had just managed to touch the ball down in time to score. The conversion from the touchline failed but, you guessed it, Aberavon were back in the lead by the narrowest of margins at 38-39.

The one thing you know about this Pooler squad is that they never give up. They marched back up the field to establish a position deep in the Wizards’ twenty-two. The clock was showing seventy eight minutes as the Pooler forwards hammered away. As so many times before, it was Matthews who applied the finishing touch as he forced his way over the line. A fine conversion from wide out on the right from Meek gave Pooler a six point cushion at 45-39.

In the context of this match, even with the time running out, you would not have put it past Aberavon to snatch a win with a last gasp try. Pooler, however, had other ideas and were able to keep possession from the kick off and wind the clock down to hold on to a remarkable victory. Final score Pontypool 45 : Aberavon 39.

What a tremendous game that ignited after a rather tame first half an hour. It is a shame that there had to be a loser with both sides contributing so much to an exhilarating second half. So well done to both sides.

I got back home in time to see the second half of Ireland v France and was treated to even more exhilarating rugby as the French cut loose to end Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes. Even without the injured Dupont, France were at their imperious best. Ireland’s two late tries when the game was effectively over gave a final score line of 27-42 which perhaps does not reflect the French dominance. France have a grip on the Six Nations’ Championship now knowing that a bonus point win against Scotland in Paris will secure the title.

Then there was Scotland v Wales at Murrayfield. Wales were effectively blown away in the first half by a rampant Scottish display which left them 28-8 in arrears. The Scottish backs proved too hot to handle and a further try early in the second half saw Scotland build a twenty seven point lead at 35-8. Scotland took off Finn Russell and seemed to lose direction while Wales, with nothing to lose, played some stirring attacking rugby coupled with resolute defence. Converted tries from Thomas and Teddy Williams saw Scotland’s lead shrink to thirteen points at 35-22.  Time was running out when Faletau seemed to have scored a try only for it to be disallowed as Murray was deemed to have jumped over  a would-be tackler. A last gasp converted try from Llewellyn did however at least give Wales two losing bonus points with final score 35-29. There is still a chance of Wales avoiding the dreaded wooden spoon.

Scotland would never have forgiven themselves if they had let this game slip through their fingers. For the first fifty minutes they were in complete control with Wales a distant second best. Wales are still very much off the pace in international rugby terms and there is much work for the incoming management team to do. The good news is that there is some promising material to work with as Wales demonstrated in the second half. It does sound a bit like the way people used to talk about Italy and even Argentina who have both shown what can be done.

Next up for Wales is the visit of England to Cardiff. If ever there was a time to break that pesky losing streak this is it! I can’t imagine there will be many changes to the Welsh team apart from those forced by injury. I think I would like to see Wainwright and Evans starting to freshen things up.

I don’t think I have ever seen so many tries scored in one day – it was quite exhausting!

Next up for Pontypool is a visit to Newport in the Super Rugby Wales cup. Pooler’s loss against Ebbw Vale has put paid to their chances of progressing but a game against the arch rivals in black and amber is always one to relish.

Come on Wales!

Ireland Lift the Triple Crown but Wales Far from Down

This was a big weekend for Welsh rugby. Wales under a new coaching regime would be taking on Ireland the current Six Nations Champions in Cardiff. Not many people in Wales were expecting Wales to beat Ireland but they were desperate to see some signs of a renaissance after an absolutely abysmal year or so. Matt Sherratt the new head coach is not a miracle worker but hopefully he could instill some belief and organisation in the short time he had been with the squad. The changes to personnel that he had made promised to bring a different approach.

The weekend started with disappointment as Pontypool’s fixture against Aberavon had to be postponed as the pitch at Pontypool Park was waterlogged after heavy rainfall. There were no such problems in Cardiff with the match played in the Principality Stadium with the roof firmly closed. I had decided not to go to Cardiff as it would surely be too much of a test for my new hip at this early stage.

Ireland quite quickly demonstrated why they are favourites for the Six Nations Championship with an all action first quarter. They dominated territory with strong carries and astute kicking and it came as no surprise when they opened the scoring with a try from Conan. You feared for Wales at this stage but gradually you started to see flashes of what the new team ethos was in attack and there was a solid Welsh scrum that was a welcome source of penalties.

Ireland added another penalty but Wales countered with two of their own. Wales were giving as good as they got at this stage. A high tackle and subsequent yellow card for Ringrose helped the Welsh cause and they deservedly took a 13-10 lead when Jac Morgan touched down after a period of concerted Welsh pressure. At half time, the Ringrose yellow card became a twenty minute red card.

Wales took advantage of their numerical superiority with a brilliant finish by Rogers who squeezed in at the corner. Wales were in dreamland at 18-10 with the crowd right behind them.

Ireland are not champions for nothing and they used their bench to inject energy. The gap was closed to 18-13 by a Pendergrast penalty and not long after Bundee Aki came on to bring Ireland back to full strength. The Irish kicking game was pinning Wales back and a pinpoint crosskick from Gibson-Park was tapped back by Lowe to Osborne who touched down in the corner. The conversion failed but it was 18-18 with the momentum with Ireland.

Wales were beginning to leak penalties as the Irish pressure told as they battled to protect their try line. Two more successful penalties from Prendergast saw Ireland take a 18-24 lead. Full credit to Wales as they threw everything at Ireland and Mee came within an ace of scoring a dramatic try in the left corner after great combined play. Unfortunately, it was chalked off and Ireland secured victory with yet another penalty from Prendergast. Final score Wales 18 : Ireland 27.

This was much, much better from Wales who pushed their illustrious opponents all the way. There were plenty of encouraging signs with both young and old members of the team stepping up a few levels from the previous matches. There were many more signs of organisation and cohesion in the backs and the whole team played with pride and commitment. In the end, it was the unity of purpose of the Irish that comes from playing together for so long backed up by an excellent kicking game that won the day. Congratulations to Ireland on winning the Triple Crown and a Grand Slam beckons if they can defeat the French in Dublin. Congratulations too to the Wales Under 20s who beat their Irish counterparts to increase the sense of optimism in the gloom of Welsh rugby.

Wales play Scotland next in Murrayfield in a couple of weeks which will be a tough challenge. The Scots were desperately unlucky not to beat England in Twickenham. They played the better rugby and in the end they lost be a single point and will rue the missed conversions.

No match for Pooler until March 14^th when they visit perennial rivals Newport in the Super Rugby Wales Cup. It looks like a blank Saturday next week on the rugby front .

Come on Wales!

Come on Pooler!