Pooler Prevail in Pulsating Season Opener

The new season has now officially started with Pontypool hosting Llandovery in their first league match of the season in SRC. Pooler finished at the bottom of the league last season while Llandovery are the reigning champions of SRC so it was a great chance for Pooler to assess their strength after the various changes in personnel and an encouraging pre-season.  The match was being shown live on TV so there was a later kick-off time than usual.

The pitch at Pontypool looked in perfect condition with the brown colour of previous weeks transformed to green by the recent rain. The air was a little damp and there was a gusty wind blowing mainly across the pitch but conditions were good for running rugby.

Llandovery kicked off playing down the slope in the first half. Pooler fielded and found touch near halfway. From the lineout, Llandovery spread the ball wide and their threequarters cut the Pooler defence to ribbons with Potter touching down under the posts. Potter converted and Pooler were 0-7 down within a couple of minutes. This was far from the start that they had envisaged with the team and supporters alike looking stunned.

Pooler bounced back immediately. Llandovery conceded a penalty that was kicked to the right corner. The home forwards pounded away from the lineout and a it was business as usual as Scott Matthews touched down from short range. Lloyd converted and the damage had been repaired (7-7).

Pontypool then took charge of the game for the rest of the first quarter. Morgan Allen was held up over the line after more good work by the forwards. Eventually the pressure told and it was the Pooler backs that showed what they could do. Powerful running resulted in space being created for right wing Cole to cross in the right corner. The conversion failed but Pooler had taken a deserved 12-7 lead.

The Drovers are not champions for nothing and rather took charge as Pooler went through a sticky patch and were guilty of making too many mistakes. A scrum penalty gave the away side field position and the forwards did the rest with an unconverted try for flanker Tom Curry (12-12). This was followed by a second try for Potter on the half hour when a kick from Lloyd was charged down. This try also went unconverted but the Drovers were back in the lead (12-17).  Five minutes later another kick was charged down and Llandovery almost scored in the corner. A Pooler scrum on their own line went wrong and Drovers scrum half Lewis sneaked in for a try. Potter converted and it was 12-24 and Pooler looking in disarray.

To their credit, Pooler bounced back as the game looked to be slipping away. A clever kick ahead saw Pooler get deep into the Drovers’ twenty-two. The forwards piled on the pressure and lock Antrobus touched down for a much needed score for the home side. Lloyd converted and at 19-24 the scoreboard looked more encouraging.

It would have been good if Pooler could have not conceded any more points before half time. Llandovery wing Llien Morgan had other ideas and in a remarkable mazy run he left far too many Pooler defenders grasping at air to score a splendid solo try. The try was again unconverted but at halftime Llandovery held a useful 19-29 lead after scoring five tries to Pooler’s three.

Pontypool would have the benefit of the slope in the second half but would need to cut out the errors if they were to trouble the champions. The Drovers backs looked dangerous whenever they got the ball.

Pooler started the second half purposefully and quickly build up a head of steam keeping the away side penned in their own half. Around five minutes had elapsed when Pooler flanker Williams touched down after strong work by the forwards. Lloyd converted  and Pooler were within a score at 26-29 and had the try bonus point in the bag.

The momentum was now with Pooler and they were soon back in the Drovers twenty-two applying pressure through the pack. This time the ball was spread wide and Rosser touched down and again Lloyd converted. Pooler were back in the lead at 33-29 with a quarter of an hour of the second half played.

Llandovery were not about to lie down and their dangerous backs took them right up to the Pooler goal line. In the move, Llandovery scrum half Lewis was injured and this resulted in a lengthy delay as he was attended to and left the filed on a stretcher. We hope that he has a speedy recovery.

Play resumed with a scrum on the Pooler line and it was Llandovery prop Hughes who touched down near the posts after the forwards had pounded away. The try was converted by Maynard and Llandovery had retaken the lead at 33-36.

Back came Pooler and they worked their way down field to deep into the away side’s twenty two in this see-saw match. The Pooler forwards applied immense pressure and eventually it told as Antrobus touched down for his second try of the match. Lloyd again converted to put Pooler back in the lead at 40-36.

We were now deep into the fourth quarter and the tension was mounting. The Llandovery backs were unleashed once more and almost scored in the left corner. The Pooler defence was in disarray and a cross kick found right wing Morgan unmarked and he touched down after a rather awkward bounce of the ball. Crucially for Pooler the try was unconverted and although the Drovers were back in the lead it was only be one point at 40-41.

There was not much time left as Pooler marched back down the field looking determined to grab a victory. It was frenetic stuff as Pooler tried everything and the Llandovery defence scrambled desperately to keep them out. Finally, Llandovery conceded a penalty right in front of their posts that Lloyd gleefully converted. Pooler were back in the lead at 43-41 but there were still a few minutes left on the clock.

Those of us who went to Llandovery for the cup match last season had bitter memories of a similar situation when Pooler conceded a last minute penalty  that cost them the match. This time however Pooler managed the situation brilliantly and retained possession and wound the clock down to the final whistle. Final score Pontypool 43 : Llandovery 41

What a game and what a way to start the season. Thirteen tries scored in total with Pooler scoring six to Llandovery’s seven. Llandovery will surely rue missing those four conversions. This was a great advertisement for SRC as both sides contributed fully to a scintillating match. For Pontypool there is plenty to build on as the new members of the squad bed in but it was very encouraging to say the least so well done to everyone involved.

The next match will again be at home against Bridgend Ravens next Saturday.  A chance to avenge that salutary defeat away at Bridgend last season.

Come on Pooler!    

Pontypool Run Hot

Pooler’s final pre-season game was against Cinderford at Pontypool Park. Cinderford had proved a tough test in wet conditions the previous pre-season. Conditions were absolutely perfect for running rugby on this occasion however. The sun was beaming down and the pitch was actually looking a little greener than the previous week due to the occasional shower during the week.

The first quarter did not prepare us for the onslaught that was to come. Pooler began strongly playing up the slope and soon had recorded two tries following slick play by the threequarters with Rosser and Cole touching down. Meek converted both unerringly and it was 14-0. Pooler were then guilty of conceding a few penalties giving Cinderford field position. The well-drilled visitors’ pack took full advantage with two short range converted tries to bring the scores level at 14-14.

Pooler responded strongly with a typically powerful burst from Allen who brushed defenders aside to score under the posts. Rosser added his second a few minutes later after more good play by the backs. Meek converted both tries and at half time Pooler were 28-14 to the good.

The second half saw Pooler playing down the slope and completely dominant. The raft of substitutions made Pooler stronger but the visitors weaker as Cinderford rather wilted in the sun. Rosser grabbed another two tries either side of a try by Joe Davies all three tries were converted the first two by Meek and the third by Lloyd from the touchline. The score was now 49-14 and it was turning into a rout as Cinderford had no answer to Pooler’s pace and power.

In the final quarter, Pooler ran in a further four tries to complete the demolition job. Remarkably Meek converted all four tries to give him a perfect ten out of ten successful conversions in a brilliant display of kicking. The referee called time on the game a little early with the final score Pontypool 77 : Cinderford 14.

This was an awesome display from Pontypool who completely overran Cinderford in the second half. Rosser with his four tries and Meek with his outstanding kicking will get the plaudits but it was a great all round performance by the whole squad. When the season proper starts with a tough home opener against Llandovery, things will surely get more difficult. The three warm-up games have certainly given the squad confidence and there looks to be strength in depth particularly when you also add in the Dragons players who will become available. I can’t wait for the season to begin!

I got home in time to watch the last hour or so of the South Africa v New Zealand test. When I started watching it was all South Africa with their scrum in charge and their backs catching every high kick. The All Blacks somehow kept that at bay and in the second half having stabilised their scrum took over. Once the Boks main weapon had been neutralised, they looked far more vulnerable and the All Blacks with their running game took full advantage to run  out 16-33 winners. It sets up the rest of the series intriguingly.

Another week has passed and Welsh rugby still seems to be in limbo. Plenty of opinions being voiced but no action. How long can this go on?

Meanwhile, I am counting down the days to the next Pooler game which seems a long way off at September 12^th.

Come on Pooler! 

Pre-seasons in the Sun

It was great to be back at Pontypool Park on a warm summer afternoon. This was my first taste of rugby before the new season proper starts. Pontypool were playing old rivals Newbridge which used to be a fixture to savour over the years but the two clubs are now in different leagues and so a more amicable tussle could be expected. This was Pooler’s second outing of the pre-season with the first an away victory at Ystrad Rhondda.

Pontypool Park was looking quite brown as the prolonged drought had taken its toll on the grass. The match itself was like watching a match on TV with the sound off as there was no information about the make-up of the teams or the scorers during the match. Yes, there were some familiar faces in the Pooler team but some newcomers too. I will therefore not be writing a match report as such but more an impression of what went on.

Pooler ran out winners 55-15 in what would appear at first glance to be a very one-sided encounter. This would be misleading as the Newbridge gave a good account of themselves and provided a stern test with their forthright approach and strong scrum. Newbridge were let down by their poor finishing when they got into the Pooler twenty-two but for which they could have bagged a few more tries.

To their credit, Pooler seized on the away side’s mistakes and took full toll. The first two Pooler tries were testimony to this. The first came on a Newbridge scrum near their line. The Newbridge scrum pushed Pooler back but they lost control of the ball only for the home scrum half to snaffle it and score. The second try came when Newbridge were right on Pooler’s line and in a situation when one more pass would have led to a try. That crucial pass was intercepted and Pooler went the best part of a hundred metres to score a try.

Both sides tried to run the ball in perfect conditions but there were far too many handling errors. The Pooler back three looked potent when they got the ball but too often the final pass went awry. There was plenty of promise from Pooler and hopefully the errors will be eliminated as the season progresses and the new faces get bedded in.  Pooler scored three more tries in the first half that was punctuated with a rehydration break and led 31-0 at halftime.

Newbridge changed their shirts from blue to red at halftime and really took the game to Pooler for the first ten minutes or so. They finally managed to cross the whitewash and scored two tries to bring the score to 31-10. The mass substitutions that are typical of these warm-up games made a difference and Pooler wrested back control of the match. They scored four more tries to one from Newbridge in a dominant final quarter. The final score at 55-15 was probably rather flattering but it was a good workout for both teams in hot conditions.

There are plenty of things to work on for Pooler as they prepare for the first league match against Llandovery in mid-September. All in all, however, the coaches will surely be pleased with what they saw. The next warm-up match is at home to Cinderford next Saturday.

If I was an optimist and hoped that Welsh rugby would have settled down over the closed season I would have been sorely disappointed. Realistically, I didn’t imagine any progress would have been made to sort out the regional game.  What has happened is worse than that. It seems to have gone backwards and there are calls for the WRU  board to resign en masse. Who knows what happens next – it an absolute shambles.

I am sure everyone involved in Welsh rugby would love to have four competitive regions but the reality is that there is not enough money to finance it. Something has to change but it seems that we are still way off agreeing what that something is. I suppose more months of rancour and instability are bound to follow. It is enough to make a grown man weep. Thankfully there is the new SRC season to look forward to as things stand.

Come on Pooler!  

Wales Overpowered by Argentina

This was match two of three as Wales visit three continents in three weeks in a punishing schedule in the Nations Championship. After beating Fiji in Cardiff, it was Argentina in San Juan - a far more demanding assignment.

Wales started well enough scoring a well-worked try from a driving lineout after kicking an early penalty into the corner. Lake touched down and Costelow converted - so far so good. It wasn’t long before it was clear that the Welsh defence would be sorely tested by the powerful running of the Pumas coupled with an effective kick-chase tactic. The home side hit back with two converted tries in a ten minute period and the ease with which they scored them was worrying to say the least.

Another penalty for Wales saw them deep in the Pumas’ twenty-two. We were then rewarded with what has become a trademark Carre try from short range. The scores were level at 14-14 but the home side looked to hold most of the aces. In a devastating surge in the last five minutes of the first half, the home side scored two converted tries to storm into a 28-14 lead.

A fifth try early in the second half for the Pumas put the game beyond doubt at 35-14. The game became increasingly scrappy as the benches were emptied but, for the most part, it was Wales scrambling in defence to keep the score down. A faint glimmer of hope for Wales came with another front row try from short range this time from Warren to close the gap to 35-21.

Wales huffed and puffed and there was still some hope of a bonus point or two but sadly the Welsh attacking play was pretty innocuous and was comfortably contained by the home side who claimed a well-deserved bonus point victory.

This was Wales coming down to earth with a bump after two victories. It seems our only method of scoring tries is through short range driving play. This may work against the less powerful nations but certainly will not do against the likes of South Africa. Our back play continues to disappoint with a lack of guile, pace and penetration.

Speaking of which, South Africa is the next challenge for Wales in Durban next weekend. Scotland gave the Springboks a fright this weekend with their power and commitment. Admittedly it was not a full strength Springboks side but they have such strength in depth that any South African will be a powerful outfit.  It was a tremendous match with the Scots giving as good as they got before going down 42-28 which flatters the Springboks.

The other four matches were rather one-sided with wins for France, New Zealand, Ireland and England. So, another overall tie at three wins each for Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Good luck to Wales against mighty South Africa !   

Six Matches in a Day – Almost Six Marathons

I spent a lot of yesterday watching rugby. This is not something I would normally do in early July but it was the start of the new fangled international rugby tournament.  Whilst there was some overlap, it was possible to watch almost six complete matches on the TV.

I have to say the general entertainment value was much greater than the Football World Cup. At the top end the encounters between New Zealand and France and Australia and Ireland were close matches with plenty of gripping rugby with New Zealand and Ireland just sneaking wins. South Africa duly thumped England as they continue to look the side that is setting the standards.

And so to Wales who were playing Fiji. Fiji were actually the home side although the match was taking place at the Cardiff City Stadium. Cardiff tried its best to turn itself into Suva for the day but at the end of the day Wales still had home advantage. The crowd was certainly colourful if quite sparse. I have to confess I was not one of them as I was firmly planted on the couch in front of the TV.

Fiji started by playing their distinctive style of running and offloading rugby and it looked for all the world that they would blow Wales away. That Fiji did not run up a winning lead in the first half was down to some sturdy defence but more down to over-indulgence from Fiji. Wales grimly hung on to the Fijian coat tails and showed that by capitalising on their superiority in the set pieces coupled with an effective driving maul they could score points of their own.

The score at half time was actually 10-10 with Wales having scored two tries for Jac Morgan from driven mauls to one from Fiji. Wales could probably feel quite relieved to still be well in the game.

The second half saw Wales gradually take control with the scrum continuing to dominate. At one stage they looked to be pulling clear with tries from Carre and Adams. Edwards did not have his kicking boots on so three conversions were missed. He did convert a penalty to give Wales a 10-25 lead.

Wales might have been guilty of taking their foot of the gas and Fiji came roaring back with two converted tries. Suddenly it was 24-25 and it was very much game on.

The Welsh bench proved to have more impact that the Fijian bench and Wales steadied the ship and managed to pull clear with a try from Elias from a driven lineout that was converted by Costelow who had replaced Edwards. It was left to James to add a last gasp try under the posts from short range to cap a great victory for Wales. Final score Fiji 24 : Wales 39.

The Welsh forwards were the heroes of the day with Morgan and Wainwright leading the way but all of the pack and replacements playing their part. There still seems a reluctance to run the ball behind with too many kicks leading to nothing. It is certainly not the best option to kick the ball to the Fijians  who can create mayhem from anywhere on the field.

Wales now face demanding trips to Argentina and then South Africa over the next few weeks as the tournament proceeds. Scotland did manage to secure a deserved victory in Argentina so perhaps it is possible for Wales to sneak a win. A win in South Africa is probably well beyond Wales as they continue to rebuild.

The other match in the first round saw Japan beat Italy 27-10 in Tokyo so the final tally was Northern Hemisphere 3 wins Southern Hemisphere 3 wins.

The summer is moving on apace and we will soon be back into Pooler action with the pre-season friendlies. Here’s hoping for a better season than the last one.

Overall a Disappointing Season for Pooler

When I look at the final league table for Super Rygbi Cymru it is with a heavy heart. It is so disappointing to see Pontypool RFC at the bottom of the pile. Pooler have by all measures been inconsistent this term.

The performances over the course of the season could be roughly divided into three: all too few great days, rather too many bad days and quite a few days where Pooler suffered agonising narrow defeats in games that could have gone either way. I missed the final game of the season which was the wildcard playoff against Carmarthen Quins which fell quite clearly into the third category with an injury time defeat. Towards the end of the season, Pooler were far more competitive particularly in the cup matches where the last minute loss at Llandovery in the semi-final was really hard to bear after a brilliant comeback in the second half.

On the positive side, Pooler have given a lot of young and upcoming players a chance to play competitive rugby which was one of the key objectives of SRC. This will surely stand them in good stead in the future. This coupled with a long injury list meant Pooler had difficulties fielding a settled team. Pooler could not be criticised for lack of effort and the Pooler Army was there in support through thick and thin.

I believe that the current situation is that the three year ringfencing of SRC comes to an end after next season so Pooler will need to put together a better season or face relegation. Of course, this is Welsh Rugby and no one really knows what is going to happen in the future. The future of regional rugby is far from settled let alone what happens to SRC as a consequence. I do believe that the ten team SRC league is too small and should be expanded by another two teams – there is just not enough league rugby.

God willing, I will be taking my place on the Bank next season with the usual degree of optimism. There is no better place to watch rugby. As always, we will say hello to new faces and goodbye to some current squad members on the pre-season merry-go-round.

I wish all involved the best of luck.

Come on Pooler!

More Heartache for Pooler in a Cracking Local Derby

Pontypool visited Rodney Parade to take on Newport in their last league game of the season. Rodney Parade always evokes memories of the glory days for Pooler when games against their neighbours were always bruising encounters but Pooler generally came out on top. Times have changed and how! It is difficult to remember the last time Pontypool won in Newport although a hard fought draw in the Cup earlier in the season might give them a cause for optimism. The league positions would indicate a home win but this was a local derby and Pooler would be sure to be motivated and an upset was entirely possible.

Pooler made the early running but it was clear that their scrum was under pressure and conceded three penalties. This gave Newport field position and after subjecting the Pontypool line to considerable pressure Westwood touched down for an unconverted try to open the scoring for Newport (5-0).

Pooler then monopolised possession and made good ground through aggressive ball carrying. A rolling maul inside the home twenty-two suddenly saw Pooler hooker Scarfe emerge from the blindside of the maul with no defenders to block his path. He touched down for a try but the conversion failed and the scores were now tied at 5-5.

Pooler continued to apply pressure and, as the first quarter drew to a close, Antrobus forced his way over for Pooler’s second try after strong work from the pack. Meek converted and Pooler had established a 5-12 lead.

Five minutes later Newport hit back with a try from Williams after the ball was spread wide after a series of forward drives. The try was converted and the scores were level again at 12-12. The bad news for Pooler was that skipper Herbert was shown a yellow card.

Early in the second quarter, Newport were also down to fourteen men after their open side flanker was shown a yellow card. Scarfe was proving a menace at the breakdown winning several turnovers and also carrying the ball well. Pooler again pressed hard and with five minutes remaining in the first half a crosskick from Meek was bravely fielded by Pooler right wing Duggan who beat two Newport defenders to get the touch down. The conversion failed but Pooler were back in the lead 12-17.

There had not been many scrums in the first half so Newport were not able to capitalise in this area of superiority. A late penalty in favour of Pooler at a scrum came to nothing but it was certainly encouraging for the away side.

So, at half time Pooler held a narrow five point lead which on the balance of play they deserved. They could expect Newport to emerge for the second half with all guns blazing.

Pooler started the second half with a bang. A neat kick ahead from Meek was gathered at pace by Pooler fullback Davies who steamed over for a try. Meek converted to increase Pooler’s lead to 12-24 with the try bonus point secured.

Pooler so nearly increased their lead when a long Pooler clearing kick was chased downfield. Pooler wing McDonough was leading the chase but tried to kick the ball on but missed it. Marcus Jones also chasing did manage to pick the ball up but his pass to the supporting Meek went astray with the try line begging.

There followed a period of Newport pressure with their backs finding some gaps in the Pooler defence. In ten minutes they brought the scores back level with two tries one of which was converted. It was 24-24 and Newport had secured their bonus point.

Pooler needed to respond quickly. As the third quarter came to an end Pooler won a scrum penalty and kicked to the corner. From the lineout Matthews on as a replacement emerged from a maul to force his way over for Pooler’s fifth try. The conversion failed but Pooler were back in the lead at 24-29 with twenty minutes to go.

Pooler continued to press and were awarded a penalty and elected to go for goal. Meek’s penalty attempt hit a post and stayed out which brought back memories of the drawn game in the Cup. How crucial would that be?

The answer was very. With ten minutes remaining a pass from the Newport threequarters went astray. A rather fortunate bounce saw the ball in Newport’s hands and with the defence flatfooted Ackerman headed for the line. Some great tackling stopped him just short but from the ruck that formed Leary was able to cross for a try. The try was converted and Newport now held a narrow lead 31-29.

Pooler were not about to give in and some great passing by the backs saw Duggan racing down the right wing. He almost made it to the line but was tackled just short. The referee ruled that a Pooler attempt to score was held up over the line and the chance had gone. A couple of minutes later an attempted dropped goal from Meek missed.

Pooler continued to attack but the Newport defence showed great discipline and did not concede a penalty which might have turned the game in Pooler’s favour.

Final score Newport 31 : Pontypool 29.

This was a great advert for SRC with both teams contributing to an exciting spectacle that could have gone either way. Pooler put in a tremendous performance with Scarfe quite outstanding and overall can consider themselves unlucky not to pull off a win. The bounce of the ball and some missed kicks made the difference in the end.

We now move on to the play offs where Pooler will start with a wild card game with the opponents yet to be confirmed. On this kind of form. they will be a difficult proposition for anybody.

Come on Pooler!