Wales Beat the All Blacks

I never thought that I would be able to write that down after seventy three years of losses.  When I think of all the great Welsh sides that have failed to accomplish a victory it is amazing that it has happened with Welsh rugby at such a low ebb.

The match wasn’t even a friendly either but was part of the new World Nations Rugby Cup. Form was certainly against Wales after they had struggled to beat Japan and New Zealand had thumped Scotland in the second half after a closely contested first half. Odds of 20 to 1 against a Welsh victory were quoted before the match.

All this mattered for nothing as Wales started in powerful style and quickly built a 14-0 lead through converted tries by Williams and Lake. Wales certainly looked a much tougher prospect than the All Blacks were expecting. The All Blacks hit back with a converted try of their own but Wales were far from done when Griffin powered over for their third try to lead 21-7. In typical New Zealand fashion they tied up the scores with two tries including a last gasp try in the final action of the first half.

With the score 21-21, I did wonder whether New Zealand would do what they did in Murrayfield and blast Wales away in the second half. Nothing could be further from the truth when Wales took the initiative straight from the kick off. Wales added two further converted tries through Rees Zammit and James to re-establish a fourteen point lead at 35-21. The Welsh fans looked on with a sense of disbelief  and although the crowd was disappointingly small they found their voices and how.

From then on, it was NZ attack versus Welsh defence that was something like Rorke’s Drift. NZ hammered away against a resolute Welsh defence. New Zealand scored again to make it a seven point game at 35-28 and set up attack after attack with Wales unable to get out of their own twenty-two. The Welsh defence was simply magnificent with the players tackling themselves to a standstill. Botham twice managed to hold up NZ players over the goal line as he showed his strength. There was just no weak link in the Welsh defence.

The clock seemed to move incredibly slowly as the tension mounted. Every All Black defence or thumping Welsh tackle was cheered to the rafters. This was red blooded stuff and it was remarkable that the Welsh discipline was such that a yellow card was avoided despite conceding a number of penalties.

With a couple of minutes to go, Wales finally escaped the All Black stranglehold and were able to play out the remaining time in midfield. The final whistle blew and the crowd erupted in cheers for their Welsh heroes who really had excelled themselves. The players must have been absolutely exhausted as the magnitude of their achievement came home.

What a fantastic effort from the Welsh team and I am delighted that I was there to see the famous victory. I was just a one year old when Wales last beat New Zealand. Hopefully this will be a tremendous boost to the confidence of the squad who face Australia next Saturday. There will be a lot of battered and bruised bodies with little time to recover.

As an appetiser, Pooler play Aberavon in the afternoon with the Wales match kicking off rather late at 20.10. Pooler have made changes to their coaching team after the disappointing start to the season. We welcome back Leighton Jones who will head up the coaching team. He did a fantastic job getting Pooler into Super Rugby Wales and has a wealth of knowledge. Good luck Leighton!

Come on Pooler!

Fantastic result Wales.  Let us beat the Aussies too!

Heavy Defeat for Pooler in North Wales

 I didn't make the long trip up to Colwyn Bay to watch Pontypool play RGC. As the score shows a heavy 49-19 loss for Pooler with the North Walians exacting revenge for Pooler's victory at the Park earlier in the season. I am sure that Ray's excellent match report will fill in the gory details.

This brings to an end the first section of the season with a break for the international matches for the next few weeks. It has been a disappointing start for Pooler who find themselves near the foot of the table. The problem seems to be consistency with some great rugby amongst some defensive struggles.  As always, the bedding in of new players takes time and I am sure everyone is working really hard to make the rest of the season more successful.

Meanwhile Wales have it all to do with three matches in the new Nations Championship. The form of the Welsh players appearing in the English Prem has looked encouraging and hopefully a good blend of exiles and home-based players can be put together to take on Japan, New Zealand and Australia in quick succession.

It appears that ticket sales have been sluggish to say the least which will only serve to make the Wales challenge even greater. The size of the loss made by the WRU is a real cause for concern as we continue to wrangle about the future.  The idea that Welsh regions might play in England seems little more than a pipe dream. I don't envy Lyndon Faulkner one little bit but hope that he can find a resolution some time soon.

Come on Pooler!

Come on Wales!

Last Minute Agony for Pooler at Bridgend

This week Pooler played their second return fixture of the season this time at Bridgend Ravens. In the high scoring corresponding fixture at Pontypool Park, Pooler only just failed to make a remarkable comeback after whittling away at a large Bridgend lead. Conditions were perfect for rugby at the Brewery Field so we were expecting another exciting tussle,

Pooler played towards Tesco in the first half and made all the early running and restricted the Ravens to their own half. Despite a series of attacks, Pooler could not make any impression on the scoreboard. Indeed, it was Bridgend that struck first after a quarter of an hour in a rare incursion into Pontypool territory. The try when it came was simple enough. The Bridgend backs spread the ball wide to the right and Evans beat the defence to score in the corner, The conversion failed but at 5-0 the home side had first blood rather against the run of play.

Pooler hit back as the first quarter ended when they kicked a penalty to the corner. The ensuing lineout saw a powerful forward drive with Scarfe touching down. Meek converted and Pooler edged into the lead at 5-7.

Shortly afterwards, Pooler had another similar chance but this time the lineout went wrong and Bridgend were awarded a penalty. From the field position gained, the home backs exploited gaps in the Pooler defence and eventually created an overlap for Evans who scored again in the right corner. The conversion failed again but the home side had their noses in front at 10-7.

There followed a rather scrappy period of play with a lot of kicking and both sides guilty of making mistakes. The set pieces were about even with both sides prone to conceding possession. With five minutes of the first half remaining, Pooler had possession on the home twenty two. A clever kick ahead by Meek beat the onrushing defence for fellow centre Mahoney to score near the posts. Meek converted and it was 10-14 with a couple of minutes of the half remaining. There was still for the home side to launch an attack and this time it was Wilkins who touched down after finding a hole in the Pooler defence. Jones converted to give Bridgend a narrow 17-14 lead at halftime.

There was little to choose between the two teams and hard to pick a winner in a close encounter. The Bridgend backs looked dangerous so Pooler would have to be on their mettle in the second half.

The home side struck first in the second half. A brilliant kick out of defence saw them win a lineout in the Pooler twenty-two with their own throw in. Their pack took full toll with a strong drive that took them over the Pooler line with Scales getting the touchdown for their fourth try. Jones converted and the Bridgend lead at 24-14 was looking rather ominous.

Pooler responded swiftly with an attack straight from the kick off that earned them a penalty. Shortly afterwards, a strong burst from Mahoney saw him score his second try under the posts. Meek converted and it was as you were at 24-21.

As the third quarter drew to a close, it was Pooler on the attack with the home defence working hard to keep them out. A typically strong burst from Pooler hooker Scarfe saw play carried deep into the Bridgend half. More powerful play from the pack, who hammered away at the Bridgend line, saw Scarfe touch down for his second try. Meek converted and Pooler were back in the lead 24-28 with a bonus point secured in this see-saw match.

This rather stirred the home side up and, five minutes or so later, Wilkins ran on to a kick ahead to score Bridgend’s fifth try which was again converted by Jones. The lead had changed hands yet again at 31-28 with about ten minutes remaining.

Pooler cranked up the pressure and won a series of Bridgend lineouts against the throw as they moved menacingly up the field. Bridgend were forced to concede penalties and this resulted in a yellow card for Evans. Pooler finally capitalised on their strong play with a try for substitute hooker Hall. This time the conversion failed but it meant Pooler went back into the lead  31-33 with little time remaining.

From the kick-off, the referee adjudged that the Bridgend catcher had been tackled in the air and awarded a penalty to Bridgend. The kick that followed gave the home side field position. They retained possession from the lineout and launched an attack from there. Another kick ahead bounced perfectly and was gathered by Davies at speed and he scored Bridgend’s sixth try of the afternoon. Jones converted and Bridgend had snatched a last minute lead at 38-33 with just enough time left for the kick-off.

Pooler had one last chance and played some of their best rugby as they powered up field. The ball was spread wide and for a moment it looked like the Pooler right wing Cole had managed to score in the corner but it was no try. He was left lying on the turf afterwards and we hope it was nothing too serious. The final whistle sounded and it was a home victory. Final score Bridgend Ravens 38 : Pontypool 33.

Another exciting game with Pooler ending up on the wrong side of the result. It was a game that neither side deserved to lose but that is rugby. Pooler can look back on chances that went begging and some defensive lapses but also some patches of great attacking play. As ever, the team could not be faulted for effort with Sam Scarfe the epitome of that. These narrow defeats are hard to bear for everyone we just have to hope that there will be better luck next time.

It was good to see ex-Pooler player Lyndon Faulkner becoming chairman of the WRU. I don’t think anyone would envy the position he finds himself in. I am sure he will bring the no nonsense Pooler approach and his undoubted business acumen to bear on what is the can of worms of Welsh rugby. I wish him all the very best with that.

Next match for Pooler will be what is always one of the highlights of the season. It is the home encounter with age-old rivals and neighbours Newport RFC. Newport are riding high on the top of the league so this will surely be a tough nut to crack. As we know from experience,  in a local derby league position means little.

Come on Pooler!

Pooler Were Much More Competitive than the Score Suggests

Pontypool travelled to Llandovery to play the hosts for the second time this season. The home fixture for Pooler in the first game of the season had resulted in a narrow win for Pooler so the Drovers would be looking for revenge. It seems strange to be playing return fixtures so early in the season.

It was a dry blustery day at Church Bank with the game being played on the artificial pitch which has an appreciable camber from side to side. Pooler played with the wind in the first half and would need to build a lead if they could.

Llandovery made the early running and in the first few minutes established a position deep in the Pooler half. Pooler conceded a penalty or two but eventually cleared their lines. It was clear that the Pooler defence looked much more determined and organised than in the early games of the season where tries were conceded at an alarming rate.

There followed a lot or aerial tennis as both teams employed kicking as their main tactic. Llandovery kicking into the wind found the tactic more effective as Pooler kicked the ball rather too far with the wind behind them.

On the quarter hour, a Drovers attack down the right wing was stopped just short of the Pooler line. This did, however, result in a yellow card for Ryan Jones of Pooler. Pooler again managed to prevent the home team from scoring and booted the ball upfield which led to a foot race with the home side scrambling back just in time.

Despite playing with the wind, Pooler seemed to be unable to establish a position in the Llandovery twenty-two in a scoreless first quarter. The set pieces had been evenly contested but I do find it frustrating how long it takes to set up both scrums and lineouts these days.

Early in the second quarter, Pooler took the lead through a penalty from Meek (0-3). This was followed by a period of exciting play with the ball going from end to end as handling errors were punished by both sides. On the half hour, Llandovery again threatened the Pooler line but Pooler cleared the ball. Llandovery ran the ball back and a clever kick ahead was regathered by Murray- McGregor to score the first try of the game which was converted by Hughes (7-3).

As the first half drew to a close, Llandovery again were deep in the Pooler twenty-two. This time a timely interception saw Ellis Davies of Pooler scurrying down the left touchline. The home defence got back in time to prevent the score but Pooler continued to attack and a precision crosskick saw McDonough in acres of space on the right. He cantered in to score but unfortunately Meek’s conversion attempt hit a post. Nevertheless, Pooler had a narrow 7-8 lead as the first half ended.

It was a great defensive performance from Pooler to keep the pacy Drovers at bay. The home side would have the benefit of the wind in the second half so it was going to require a big effort for Pooler to keep their noses in front.

It was Pooler who started the brighter in the second half  taking advantage of a series of penalties conceded by the home side. Despite gaining excellent field position Pooler could not score the points their play deserved and Llandovery managed to clear the ball upfield.

Against the run of play, Llandovery scored their second try. A period of scrappy play saw the ball go loose. Hughes from Llandovery gathered and scooted through a gap to score. The try was converted and Llandovery now led 14-8.

Pooler continued to benefit from their kicking game with the wind against allowing the kick chase to challenge more effectively. The home side continued to leak penalties and Pooler gained field position with a lineout close to the Llandovery line. This time Williams powered forward and from the ensuing ruck Antrobus touched down. Meek converted and Pooler were back in the lead at 14-15.

At the start of the fourth quarter, it was Pooler on the attack and a flowing move saw them knock-on just short of the line when a try seemed to go begging. This was a very tight game and still anyone’s victory.

Both teams had made full use of their benches and it seemed that Llandovery had the bigger boost. In a see-saw match it was the home team who seized the initiative. It was replacement forward Ben Evans who did the damage as he breezed past three or four tackles to run twenty metres or more to score an individual try. The try was converted by Hughes and Llandovery led by six points at 21-15.

Pooler tried to respond but again found it difficult to get over the line. With little time remaining, a penalty from Hughes put Llandovery more than a score clear at 24-15. Pooler had not given up and attacked again going close but being repulsed. The match ended with Pooler trapped in their own twenty-two and trying to run the ball. Sadly, this broke down and it resulted in a second try for Murray-Mcgregor of Llandovery at the death. The try was converted and Llandovery had gained two bonus points with a 31-15 victory. Final score Llandovery 31 : Pontypool 15.

The final score does not reflect the closeness of the match with Pooler well in it until the final ten minutes. It was a much improved defensive performance which kept the lively Llandovery backs at bay for the most part. In attack, a number of chances were missed when good field position had been gained  which could have altered the course of the game. Overall, however, this was good competitive performance against the reigning champions on their own pitch and something to build on. Well done Pooler!

Next up for Pooler is the return fixture against Bridgend Ravens. Pooler lost narrowly at home after a great comeback in a high scoring game.  Hopefully the days of leaking early tries are behind us on the evidence of the last two matches.

Pooler Work Hard to Gain Much Needed Victory

Pontypool entertained RGC at Pontypool Park in their latest SRC fixture. After two successive defeats and shipping twenty two tries in their opening three matches Pooler needed to bounce back. It was reassuring to see the return of skipper Matthews and hooker Scarfe to the ranks on a warm afternoon with little wind.

RGC played down the slope in the first half and had the better of the early exchanges but mercifully did not score any points. Pooler than responded with pressure of their own but couldn’t open their account either in a scrappy opening quarter of an hour. Towards the end of the first quarter a Meek penalty gave Pooler an early lead (3-0). This was quickly wiped out when McBryde responded with a penalty goal for RGC (3-3). This was much better than the previous matches when Pooler had conceded tries for fun in the first quarter.

The start of the second quarter saw an incident that was to affect the course of the game. Right in front of the stand a tussle on the ground resulted in a yellow card for Matthews of Pontypool and a straight red card for Cornelius of RGC. Shortly afterwards McDonough showed his pace to score Pooler’s opening try that was converted by Meek (10-3).

RGC responded with a period of pressure with some powerful running from their centres but again couldn’t crack the Pooler defence to score.. Pooler skipper Matthews returned for the closing minutes of the first half so Pooler had a one man advantage but were still finding it hard to find any real rhythm. Right at the end of the half RGC were awarded a penalty in front of the posts after a period of pressure that McBryde converted to close the gap to 10-6 at half time.

It was an untidy first half in a lot of ways with neither side looking very convincing. Pooler should really feel that they were in with a good chance of victory with the advantage of the slope and an extra man in the second half.

It was RGC, however, who started the stronger in the second half. . The North Walians somehow created an overlap which allowed former Pooler player Sam Jones to scurry down the right wing to score a try that McBryde converted. RGC had taken the lead at 10-13.

This time it was Pooler that needed to respond.  A clumsy collision when trying to catch a high kick saw  a yellow card for RGC wing Sam Jones so it was now a two man advantage for Pooler. It really was a golden opportunity to regain the lead.

With fifty minutes played, after a lineout, McDonough burst through the middle of the RGC defence to score under the posts, The conversion from Meek put Pooler back in the lead (17-13). In a frustrating period, Pooler could not add to their score despite their numerical advantage. Too many passes went astray and too many penalties were conceded.

RGC were certainly not going to lie down and narrowed the lead to just one point with another Mcbryde penalty (17-16). It was still anyone’s game as we entered the final quarter.

It was Pontypool that did most of the attacking but found the hardworking RGC defence in determined mood. McDonough almost completed his hat trick but he put a foot in touch as he broke down the right wing. Eventually, after much huffing and puffing from the Pooler forwards, a long pass saw left wing Marcus Jones in space and he crossed for a try in the left corner. Importantly, Meek converted from the touchline to put Pooler more than a score clear at 24-16 with ten minutes or so remaining.

Pooler were still conceding too many penalties and after conceding two in quick succession McBryde opted to kick for goal. His unerring kick saw RGC get back in contention at 24-19 and far from out of the game.

Pooler went back on the attack through their forwards who drove relentlessly at the RGC line. The pressure told and Clarkson powered over to secure Pooler’s fourth try and a bonus point. More importantly ,with Meek’s conversion, it effectively sealed a victory at 31-19 with only a few minutes left on the clock.

RGC still had a chance of a losing bonus point and yet more penalties awarded against Pooler saw them gain field position. In the final action of the game RGC, Williams touched down for RGC’s second try and the conversion from McBryde made the final score Pontypool 31 : RGC 26.

A much needed victory for Pooler but they had to work really hard for it despite having numerical superiority for the whole of the second half. RGC never gave up and gave Pooler plenty to think about. For Pooler, only conceding two tries after the avalanche of tries in the first three games is a step forward. The second half, however, saw far too many penalties conceded which frustratingly cut promising periods of play short. The next three matches look challenging with visits to Llandovery and Bridgend Ravens followed by a home game against Newport. Hopefully this bonus point win will give Pooler the confidence to give a good account of themselves.

Come on Pooler! 

Early Cardiff Blitz Scuppers Pontypool

The third league match of the season saw Pooler travel to Cardiff and face the challenge of a powerful Cardiff outfit and a 5G pitch under lights on a Friday evening. A much changed Pooler team faced a daunting challenge. A strong start would be needed.

The reality was that Pooler had anything but a strong start and could not cope with the onslaught from Cardiff at all. Watching from the terrace, it was if Cardiff were continuing the warm-up routines that we had just been watching. Cardiff were dynamic and played at a pace that Pooler’s defence could not match. Added to that Pooler’s scrum was being dismantled and their lineout was a bit iffy and you have a recipe for disaster.

In an agonising first quarter, Pooler shipped five tries three of which were converted by Coomer. The try scorers were Emanuel, Goodchild, Howe, Harper and Cannon through a combination of searing breaks and forward power. Cardiff led 31-0 at this stage and had already secured the try bonus point. Pooler had rarely had the ball in a one-sided match. There was much to admire about the way Cardiff were playing and William Hill would have offered short odds on the home side reaching a record score.

Pooler finally were awarded a penalty early in the second quarter and gained field position. The forwards drove and Williams touched down for a Pooler try. Meek’s conversion attempt hit a post and stayed out (31-5). The rest of the quarter was more evenly contested but Cardiff still managed to add a further two tries through Coomer and Emanuel with his second. Coomer converted his own try and at half time Cardiff had an unassailable lead at 43-5.

It had been a miserable experience for Pooler who had been thoroughly outplayed. No doubt some words of wisdom resounded in the changing room and Pooler would be playing for pride in the second half.

The third quarter was rather a non-event with play very scrappy. Pooler upped their work rate with the substitutions certainly helping with Herbert leading the way. The scrum was stabilised to a large extent and the lineout was much more secure. Defences were very much on top with mistakes aplenty. In truth, neither side really looked like scoring. It was certainly a big improvement from Pooler but any sort of comeback looked completely out of the question.

The fourth quarter was somewhat similar although Pooler were doing most of the attacking and got good field position a number of times. Each time they found the Cardiff defence too tough a nut to crack. A try did go begging when they were held up over the line but the Pooler attack looked pretty blunt. The Pooler defence did manage to nullify the potency of the Cardiff backs which says a lot for the effort that they put in.

In a rather strange game, the second half ended up scoreless after Cardiff’s opening barrage in the first half. Final score Cardiff 43 : Pontypool 5.

Pontypool seemed to be making a habit of starting slowly and in all three games so far they have conceded early tries far too easily. To all intents and purposes, this match was over after the first quarter with Pooler conceding five tries with no reply. Pooler have now conceded twenty two tries in three matches This sort of defence will not win many matches that is for sure. So, a lot of work to be done in training sessions back at Pontypool.

Next up for Pooler is a home game against RGC. At least they have an extra day to prepare for what is a much needed victory.

Come on Pooler!

Pontypool Leave Themselves Too Much to Do

Pontypool’s second match of the season was a home game against Bridgend Ravens.  We really hoped that they could build on their excellent victory the previous weekend, The catastrophic second half performance away at Bridgend last season was still in our memories as we discussed the prospects for the match as we stood on the Bank awaiting the kick-off on a humid afternoon after the morning’s rain.

Pooler played down the slope in the first half and got off to a poor start. They lost  a lineout on their throw on their twenty-two and Bridgend spread the ball left. Wing Evans brushed aside would-be tacklers to score the opening try which was converted by Jones (0-7) .

A couple of minutes later Pooler conceded a penalty at the first scrum which was compounded by a penalty at a maul which gave the visitors field position. The Bridgend forwards drove over for the second try with Jeavons touching down. The conversion failed but it was 0-12 within seven minutes of the start.

Pooler did hit back five minutes later after getting good field position following a penalty. The forwards hammered away and it was Antrobus who touched down. Lloyd converted and it was 7-12. Pooler, however, looked rather lethargic while their opponents were bristling with intent.

The Bridgend backs looked sharp and they broke down the left touchline but were stopped deep in the Pooler twenty -two. This was done unfairly in the referee’s mind and Pooler scrum half Lewis received a yellow card. A minute later Bridgend wing Rowley scored their third try which was converted by Jones. Pooler were 7-19 down at the end of the first quarter in which they had been distinctly second best.

The second quarter produced more of the same. It opened with Bridgend centre Wilkins reacting quickest to a lineout that had gone wrong and running forty metres or so to score the visitors’ fourth try. The try went unconverted but Bridgend were building a substantial lead at 7-24. Worse was to follow a Pooler attack broke down and Bridgend seized on the loose ball. Their swift backs did the rest with Rowley touching down and Jones converting (14-31).

Pooler needed to respond and after they were awarded a penalty made a rare entry into the Bridgend twenty-two. The forwards toiled hard and just before the half hour Matthews touched down. Lloyd converted and it was 14-31 with perhaps a chink of light for the Pooler faithful.

Five minutes later a flowing move by the Bridgend backs cut Pooler to ribbons but the final pass with the line at their mercy was adjudged forward. This was only brief respite as Pooler conceded ta penalty shortly afterwards and Bridgend scored their sixth try after spreading the ball wide yet again. The conversion failed but at halftime the visitors were almost out of sight at 14-36.

The one thing you can always say about Pontypool is that they will never give up and I am sure they did not think it was a lost cause as they shared their views on a ragged first half performance in the changing room. Playing up the slope in the second half wouldn’t help though.

It was clear that if Pooler had any thoughts on a comeback they needed to score first in the second half. A bright start saw scrum half Lewis score for Pooler and Lloyd bagged the conversion to make it 21-36. Pooler continued to attack but their accuracy was somewhat lacking and the Bridgend backs were sniffing around for any chance that might arise.

The quarter ended with the away side scoring their seventh try when wing Evans scored. Jones converted an at 21-43 it seemed that Pooler’s hopes of an unlikely comeback had been banjaxed.

The final quarter saw Pooler in full attack mode. Their fourth try took a long time coming as Bridgend defended stoutly against a forward barrage from Pooler.  Bridgend conceded a succession of penalties before Hill finally crossed for Pooler. The missed conversion meant it was 26-43 and Pooler had secured a bonus point but there seventy minutes played on the clock,

Pooler continued to attack and Bridgend seemed to be very much hanging on. Lloyd scored an unconverted  try for Pooler with just four minutes remaining (31-43). A minute or so later Cole scored and Pooler were in dreamland. The conversion sailed over and it was now 38-43 with time running out. Could Pooler complete a miracle comeback?

Bridgend kicked off with Pooler knowing it was now or never. They were deep in their own twenty-two and had to try and run the ball as any stoppage would probably signal the end of the match. The ball was passed and passed but the Bridgend defence stifled any chance of making progress up the field. In the end the ball was lost and wing Rowley grasped the opportunity to score for the visitors. The conversion by Jones brought up the half century for the jubilant visitors. Final score Pontypool 38 : Bridgend Ravens 50

Another exciting and high scoring match at Pontypool. Pooler came storming back in the final quarter but had made far too many errors in a rather lethargic display up until then. Bridgend’s smart backs seized upon any errors and turned them into points. The Bridgend forwards were in control in the scrums and were combative at the breakdown. Bridgend deserved to win but there was just a glimmer of a chance that Pooler might stage a quite remarkable comeback. The Pooler spirit is still strong that is for sure but there is plenty to work on particularly in defence where fifteen tries have been conceded in two matches.

Pooler’s next match is a visit to Cardiff next Friday evening.  This will be a really stern test on the 5G pitch.

Come on Pooler!