Much Better by Wales but Still No Cigar

The wait for a Welsh victory in the Six Nations goes on. This time they came agonising close and were in the lead until there were less than five minutes remaining in the match against Scotland.

A really forthright performance from the Welsh pack coupled with a real determination by the whole team to tackle everything in a blue shirt that moved saw them build a fifteen point lead early in the second half. The Principality Stadium had really come alive and Scotland were on the ropes.

They say that losing becomes a habit and, despite the big lead, you still felt a certain nervousness about the Welsh ability to deliver that much needed victory. A Scottish try from Russell closed the gap to 20-12 and the natural pessimism of the Welsh began to creep in.

Another penalty from Wales steadied the nerves at 23-12. But then came the moment that transformed the match. A lack of Welsh concentration with the team seemingly oblivious of the fact that Russell had restarted the game. It led to a try from Graham straight from the kick-off.  The conversion sailed over and now it was 23-19 and the Welsh heads momentarily dropped when they realised the schoolboy error that had been committed. The balloon of their fragile confidence had been well and truly pricked. Momentum was now very much with Scotland.

Hard as Wales tried to keep Scotland out, the penalty count increased against them and Scotland were able to drive over for the crucial score from a lineout.  The scoreboard now showed 23-26 and you never really felt that Wales could comeback in the little time remaining. It was like a punch in the guts to lose this match at the last gasp. A match that hardly anyone expected Wales to win remember.

So, what went wrong after so many things had gone right? Wales were well in control in the first half but gradually lost control in the second half as Scotland stepped up their effort. The glaring error from the kick off apart, Scotland seemed to get stronger when they deployed their bench while Wales seemed to get weaker if anything. Rugby has become a twenty-three man game and developing strength in depth is crucial if Wales are to continue to improve going forward

The Welsh forwards had really stepped up with Wainwright to the fore but ably backed up by the rest of the pack. The intensity of their performance was outstanding. The Welsh lineout was rock solid which makes a pleasant change. Costelow at outside half had his best game for Wales and it was a real shame when he was lost to an injury at a crucial time in the match. Yes, this was more like the old Wales. Despite some deft passing at times by the backs, they still somehow lack a cutting edge. Of course, they were up against a posse of British Lions who were always going to make things difficult.

Well played Wales. You certainly gave the supporters something to cheer. It is just a pity that we didn’t secure a win in the final reckoning. Next up Ireland in Dublin – it doesn’t get any easier.

Talking of Ireland, they really got stuck into England at Twickers and came away with a stunning victory (21-42). The English apple chariot has been well and truly upset. It leaves Ireland and Scotland to battle it out for the Triple Crown in the finale of the Six Nations Championship. Who would have thought it?

Next Saturday Pontypool will now travel to Llandovery to take on the Drovers in the semi-final of the SRC Cup. Pooler will need to produce something special to secure a win in what is not the happiest of hunting grounds. Another artificial pitch - let us hope that the experience in Cardiff last week will stand them in good stead.

Come on Pooler!

Come on Wales!

Pooler Power to Comeback Win in the Capital

Pontypool travelled to Cardiff knowing that they needed at least a one bonus point win to progress to the semi-final stage of the SRC Cup. A goodly posse of Pooler fans had made the trip and considerably outnumbered those who favoured Cardiff. Though it was cold, it made a real change to be watching a match played under almost perfect conditions for rugby. After the sodden pitches and the teeming rain of the last few months, the artificial pitch was really going to make a difference.

Cardiff kicked off and immediately went on the attack. They put plenty of verve into their opening salvoes spreading the ball from wing to wing. The benefits of being accustomed to playing on artificial surface were plain to see. This was all too much for the Pooler defence to cope with and Cardiff No. 8 Fry acrobatically dived over the line for the opening try after only a couple of minutes played. Wilde converted and it was 7-0 before Pooler had blinked.

Pooler did make a sortie into the Cardiff half but this was swiftly rebuffed and Cardiff were back on the attack. This time it was a forward drive that paid dividends for Cardiff with substitute hooker Nicholls-Ngasseu touching down for their second try which was again converted by Wilde (14-0). Pooler needed to reply and quickly - 14-0 down after only 12 minutes played was not in the script.

There were signs that the Pooler forwards were beginning to get to grips with things with their scrum looking powerful and the lineout functioning well. At the start of the second quarter, Matthews burst forward from a ruck near halfway. He found scrum half Lloyd in support who broke clear to score. Meek converted and Pooler had halved the deficit (14-7).

Five minutes or so later, Pooler wing Marcus Jones fielded a Pooler box kick which gave Pooler field position and possession. A burst from Morgan Allen broke the gain-line and Lloyd again popped up in the right place to score his second try of the evening. Meek’s conversion brough the scores level and the momentum was definitely with Pooler (14-14).

It didn’t take long for Pooler to snatch the lead. Lloyd completed his hat trick of tries when he spotted a gap around the edge of a ruck. Meek converted and Pooler had turned an unpromising start completely around to lead 14-21. Pooler continued to press but could not add to their tally before half time.

Pontypool had managed to achieve a measure of control of the match through their forwards but the Cardiff backs had shown enough to show how dangerous they could be from anywhere on the field. The job for Pooler was far from being done.

Pooler remained on the offensive for most of the third quarter but found it difficult to score that all important fourth try. A combination of solid Cardiff defence and Pooler errors at crucial points made it all so frustrating. With 55 minutes played, Pooler settled for a Meek penalty which took them two scores clear at 14-24.

At last, at the beginning of the fourth quarter, there was relief for Pooler after a series of penalties awarded against Cardiff in their twenty-two, Pooler opted for a scrum in front of the posts. Allen picked up from the base of the scrum and powered over for a try. Meek converted and Pooler had the try bonus point they craved and were also in a position to secure the extra bonus point courtesy of their seventeen point lead (14-31).

Pooler were their own worst enemies as they began to leak penalties and lost Kelleher-Griffiths to a yellow card. Cardiff rather took the initiative and it took some stern defence from Pooler to keep them out. Just before the clock hit 40 minutes played Pooler conceded a penalty that Cardiff kicked to touch. The lineout that followed was a scrappy affair and the Cardiff hooker Nicholls-Ngasseu was the first to react and he broke through the remaining defences to score in the left corner. The conversion failed but Pooler had lost the extra bonus point at 19-31. This was the last action of the game.

Final score Cardiff 19: Pontypool 31.

A fine win for Pontypool in the capital after recovering from an early fourteen point deficit. We wondered whether Pooler had done enough to qualify for the semi-final or whether RGC still had a chance to pip Pooler with a six point win over Carmarthen Quins. We were assured that Pooler would go through whatever the outcome of that match with Pooler’s potential opponents in the semi-final Llandovery or Ebbw Vale.

The victory was achieved by the dominance of the Pooler pack ably assisted by the opportunism of scrum half Lloyd. The backs found it hard to break through the Cardiff defence and had to do a lot of defending themselves against the lively home backs. The next match for Pooler will be away against Bridgend Ravens on March 7^th. Both sides are currently in the basement of the league so a close game can be expected. Hopefully Pooler’s improved run of form in the cup will continue in the league.

Tomorrow sees Wales play Scotland in Cardiff in the Six Nations Championship. Scotland looked strong in their victory over England last week while Wales were overrun by France. Scotland have a host of British Lions in their backline who are bound to make things difficult for Wales. I would still like to see Wales have a specialist open side flanker playing. On paper it looks like a Scotland victory but rugby is not played on paper.

Come on Pooler!

Come on Wales! 

French Polish Too Slick for Wales

The rampant French team duly inflicted a heavy defeat on the beleaguered Welsh outfit. The final score was 12-54 and you were left feeling could have been a lot worse.

Strangely, this was an improved Welsh performance compared with that against England the previous week and there were a few encouraging signs. On the positive side, both lineout and scrum had been strengthened appreciably. The front five looked a much more solid outfit even though they struggled to contain their French counterparts in the loose at times.

Wales did have plenty of possession but this is where things looked decidedly off the pace. The backs were predictable and failed to make any real impression on the well-organised French defence when they tried to run the ball. The forwards who carried the ball with the possible exception of Wainwright struggled to get over the gain line. Most of the time, however, the plan seemed to be to kick the ball up in the air and hope that the French would make a mistake. This is a dangerous tactic to employ against a team who have such brilliant attacking runners in the backfield. When the French decide to move the ball they are absolutely scintillating and they had the ability to very quickly cut the Welsh defence to ribbons. Not for them is running the ball into contact but more the use of sidesteps and subtle switches of play to bamboozle the opposition. Wales were left clutching at shadows too often as the French showed us their exhilarating brand of rugby. You desperately wanted Wales to somehow manage to slow the ball down if there was a breakdown to allow the defence to reform. Perhaps the presence of a genuine openside flanker in the starting line-up might have helped.

So, yet another heavy defeat for Wales and a short turn round before they take on Scotland who will be brimming with confidence after beating England. Italy also continue to impress and were a little unfortunate to lose in Dublin where they looked the better team for much of the match. The prospect of another wooden spoon for Wales looms large.

Will there be changes to the Welsh team? We really do need an open side flanker to start – in my eyes Tommy Refell would be the obvious choice but there seems to be no room for this talented player in the squad. We really do miss Jac Morgan. That aside, I would not expect major changes as we need to give the current players a chance to bond and hopefully improve.

The demise of Wales has shown itself in the large number of empty seats in the stadium on Sunday. I sat in area normally populated by debenture holders and I was absolutely surrounded by French fans. When the debenture holders are not taking up their tickets it clearly reflects the disillusionment of so many fans. The French seemed dumbfounded by the speed at which Welsh rugby has gone from hero to zero and it is chastening to hear them feel sorry for us. They are very envious of our stadium though.

Wales take on Scotland next Saturday in Cardiff but before that Pontypool visit Cardiff on Thursday evening for a cup match. After the disappointment of the game lost to the weather against Carmarthen Quins which was designated as a 0-0 draw, Pooler have to win in Cardiff to have a chance of progressing to the semi-final.

Come on Pooler!

Come on Wales!

More Rain and More Pain

Pontypool’s planned cup match against Carmarthen Quins was rained off. I really can’t remember a season when there has been so much rain. Even a lot of the games that have gone ahead have done so in heavy rain. Still the postponement meant a full afternoon of Six Nations’ rugby.

The first game saw Scotland playing Italy in Rome. It was raining there too! Even heavier rain than in Pontypool and at times you wondered whether the game would be abandoned. Italy looked a strong and thoroughly competent side and took the spoils. I have to say they deserved to win with Scotland a bit of a damp squib. It was not really until the end when Scotland had the ghost of a chance of snatching a victory that they put any meaningful phase rugby together. Even then they found that the Italian defence was not about to let victory slip away. So, on the scoreboard a narrow 18-15 Italian victory but really that flatters Scotland.

Then came the match Welsh fans have been dreading the Wales team taking on England at Twickenham. Given the current status of the two teams, nobody gave Wales a chance with a cricket score a distinct possibility.

The start of the match did nothing to allay that possibility as Wales conceded penalty after penalty and made far too many errors. England had registered nineteen points in the first twenty minutes or so and Wales had been reduced to thirteen men by yellow cards. Arundell had scored a couple of tries and Earl a try with simple run-ins - it was embarrassing to watch. Wales were outmuscled and the rather pedantic referee seemed to be forever raising his arm in the air to signify yet another penalty against Wales. The sofa had been pulled away from the wall and I was crouched behind it.

One more English try was to follow before half time. This one when Wales were actually on the attack and a pass from Thomas went yards behind the intended recipient. Another simple try for Arundel was the result. The score at half time was 29-0 and as someone one said Wales were lucky to have the nil.

The second half had to be better for Wales didn’t it? Well, I suppose it was but nevertheless Wales found themselves down to thirteen men again due to poor discipline. England squandered a number of good chances to pile on the agony and kicked a lot of ball away. England did, however, manage to score a further three tries while, wonder of wonders, Wales scored a try of their own when Adams fielded a crosskick. England’s final try came right at the death and we all heaved a sigh of relief as the game ended with a missed conversion. Wales had managed to keep the England tally to less than fifty points at 48-7.

Wales were thrashed as I am sure the media will have it and that is, putting it bluntly, the truth. Were there any redeeming features for Wales? Well, they did keep trying to the very end and discipline apart did not make it easy for England. A strong performance from Wainwright who was one of the few Welsh players to carry the ball over the gain line. The occasional flash of inspiration from Rees-Zammit but really little else to cheer.

On the negative side, there were far too many silly errors and far too many penalties conceded. You cannot hope to trouble a powerful side like England with thirteen players on the field. Will changes be made? Probably not that many as the options are extremely limited – it’s going to be a long tournament and another wooden spoon for Wales is a strong possibility.

The next opponents for Wales will be France next Sunday in Cardiff. France looked very good as they disposed of a rather tame Irish side and will be licking their lips as they look forward to feasting on Welsh profligacy.

So, not a good weekend for the Celtic nations although all were playing away from home. The set up of the Six Nations with three matches in three weeks really favours the teams with the strongest squads which are England and France. The Wales squad is paper thin at the best of times and a few injuries will exact a heavy toll. It really does make me feel depressed!

A shout out for an encouraging performance for the Wales Under 20 team who were pipped by their English counterparts right at the death after building a 0-16 lead. They showed tremendous spirit against the big English forwards.

I believe Pooler’s next match is Cardiff away in the SRC cup on the 19^th February. A fair while to wait for the chance to forget about the travails of Welsh rugby. It’s Cardiff for me next Sunday for the French game – let’s hope for a miracle.

Come on Wales!

Come on Pooler!

Pooler Earn a Draw at Newport

Pontypool’s latest SRC Cup match was against old rivals Newport. It is difficult to remember the last time Pooler won in Newport but it must be a significant time ago. As always, the Pooler Army travel in hope.

Newport Stadium is a little soulless at the best of times but it was pretty bleak for this encounter with a bitingly cold wind blowing down the ground with rain never far away. A decent crowd huddled together in the stand to try and keep warm.

Newport kicked off with the wind at their backs and proceeded to dominate the opening ten minutes. Despite the conditions they were clearly intent on playing fast and open rugby and it was all that the Pooler defence could do to keep them from scoring the opening try. Keep them out they did and then completely against the run of play Pooler worked their way up field for the first time. The attacking play gave them a scrum close to the line and scrum half Morgan Lloyd spotted a gap and touched down for a try. The difficult conversion failed but Pooler had stolen a march on Newport and led 0-5.

Newport went back on the attack but a few minutes later Pooler ran out of defence and after a couple of penalties were camped on the Newport line. Unfortunately for Pooler they were held up over the line and a good chance was lost.

Newport dominated the second quarter in terms of territory and possession and early in the quarter their forwards drove several times but it was Palmer who touched down for the try after obdurate Pooler defence was eventually overcome. With the successful conversion Newport took the lead at 7-5.

There was a lot of kicking with the swirling wind making things difficult for the would-be catchers.  The lineouts were also proving difficult but, overall, the packs seemed evenly matched in scrum and loose.

Again, rather against the run of play, Pooler found a foothold in the Newport half and Ford kicked a penalty for them to retake the lead (7-8). Newport then totally dominated the last ten minutes of the half and worked their way up to the Pooler line. Pooler defended stoutly but did leak a series of penalties. The penalty count became a too high for the referee’s liking and Pooler hooker Scarfe was shown a yellow card. This tipped the balance sufficiently for the Newport forwards to drive and create an opportunity for Palmer for their second try. Lloyd converted and Newport were back in the lead at 14-8. This remained the score until the half time whistle was blown.

Pooler could look forward to the help of the wind in the second half and a six point gap was far from being insurmountable. They would need to start well but would be playing with fourteen men for the first few minutes.

The half started badly when Pooler made a hash of the kick-off. Fortunately for them it was not costly and a tremendous relieving kick was deemed a 50-22 which gave Pooler a lineout inside the home twenty-two. The lineout went wrong but Pooler were able to keep Newport penned in their own half. This led to Pooler being awarded a penalty that Ford converted and closed the gap to 14-11 with half an hour left to play.

Pooler again made a mess of the kick-off reception although they were back to fifteen men. The referee decided that he had seen enough problems in the scrum and a yellow card was shown to Kelleher-Griffiths at the subsequent scrum so Pooler were back to fourteen men again. Newport seized the opportunity and five minutes or so later a flat pass saw Westwood fly through the Pooler defence to touch down under the posts for a try that Lloyd converted (21-11).

We had now reached the fourth quarter of the game and it was imperative that Pooler scored next. Despite still playing with fourteen men, Pooler forced a penalty or two out of the home side and after strong work by the forwards had a scrum five metres out.  It was skipper Morgan Allan who picked up from the back of the scrum and stormed for a try under the posts. The gap had been trimmed to just three point at 21-18.

The game was still anyone’s and Pooler had built momentum and were soon back to a full complement. The game was full of mistakes but was enthralling. With around ten minutes remaining, Newport prop Devine received a yellow card after Newport had given away too many penalties in defence. Ford kicked the penalty and the teams were tied at 21-21.

A few minutes later Ford had another penalty attempt and this time it hit a post and agonisingly bounced back into play. Newport then went on the attack and after what seemed like an endless set of phases finally made a mistake. The Pooler defence and discipline during this period was absolutely exemplary. Pooler had one last possession but sadly it came to nought and the game ended as a draw, Final score Newport 21 : Pontypool 21.

A performance full of character by Pooler against a good team in difficult conditions. There were opportunities to win lost by both sides and I guess that a draw is a fair result. The last two games have shown that Pooler are back in much better shape after their run of defeats. Pooler’s next game in the Cup is Saturday 7^th Feb against Carmarthen Quins at Pontypool Park. A win would put Pooler in a strong position.

That Saturday will also Wales kick off their Six Nations Championship with a rather daunting trip to Twickenham. I think I will need to hide behind the couch for that one. In the current circumstances, I can’t see anything but a convincing English victory but you can always hope.

Come on Pooler!

Come on Wales! 

At Last Pooler End Their Dismal Run

The end of January was fast approaching and at last Pontypool were going to play some rugby in 2026. The weather hasn’t been kind so far and it was little better at a rain-soaked Pontypool Park where Pooler were due to take on RGC in a SRC Cup match. We had feared that the heavy rain of the last few days would have made this game another casualty but mercifully the pitch was playable. The rain was still sweeping up the ground and it would surely mean that running rugby would not be the order of the day.

Pooler played up the slope but with the wind in the first half and started the stronger. The applied early pressure through their kicking game and established a position in the RGC twenty-two. After just three minutes they opted to take a shot at goal from a penalty in front of the posts and Ford did the necessary to give Pooler an early lead in what was likely to be a low scoring match (3-0)

RGC almost immediately replied with a penalty goal from Dion Jones after Pooler transgressed in front of their posts (3-3). This was going to be a real dogfight with the awful conditions making the kicking games of the two sides prominent. In the set piece battles Pooler had the edge in the scrums and in the lineout neither side looked particularly secure on their own ball. For Pooler, Antrobus was looking a key figure in the lineout as he successfully challenged the RGC throw-in. Most of the play for the first quarter was in the middle third of the pitch as the two packs battled it out. One or two incursions into the opposition twenty-two rather frustrating led to a turnover against the would-be attackers.

The second quarter belonged to Pooler with Morgan Allan playing a key part. The first try of the game came when Allan followed up a kick ahead and played football down the left touchline. Remarkably although the ball was perilously close to going into touch it stayed in play and dribbled up to the RGC goal line where Allan was there to touch down. The conversion failed but Pooler were leading 8-3.

A few minutes later, Allan charged up the field brushing defenders aside after receiving a RGC kick in his own half. This time he was hauled down but, after a few more carries from the forwards, Scarfe charged over the line near the posts for Pooler’s second try. Ford converted and Pooler were building a substantial lead at 15-3.

Pooler were now well on top but frustratingly, despite coming close on a couple of occasions, they could not take advantage of a yellow card for RGC’s Tudor Jones and add to their score before the half time whistle. Still Pooler had managed to build a decent lead and despite playing against the wind would be playing down the slope in the second half.

Pooler continued to be on top in the second half and kept RGC in their own half for an extended period. Despite the pressure, the tricky conditions contrived to make moving the ball difficult and the RGC defence remained strong against the forward surges. Pragmatically, Pooler eventually decided to kick for goal and Ford’s successful kick put them more than two scores clear at 18-3.

The fourth quarter became much more even with a yellow card for Morgan Allan giving RGC numerical supremacy at least. A long clearance kick from Dion Jones with the benefit of the wind bounced and bounced and eventually stopped in the Pooler in-goal area where Pooler touched down. There followed a period of strong RGC pressure on the Pooler line and eventually the Pooler defence cracked with Parry scoring a try. MacBride converted and RGC were back in the game at 18-10 with fifteen minutes remaining.

RGC sensed that a comeback was on the cards and momentum shifted. Pooler’s cause was certainly not helped by a red card for Matthews after a fracas near halfway which meant Pooler were down to thirteen men. RGC attacked and the Pooler defence was at full stretch to keep them out but keep them out they did as the minutes ticked away. The Pooler faithful were getting a bit anxious as they had lost from winning positions a few times this season already.

Ieuan Jones joined the fray at the end of Allan’s sin-binning which brought much needed solidity to the Pooler scrum. Indeed, the Pooler scrum was so dominant with Marcus Jones on the flank that it earned a couple of penalties to get Pooler back into RGC territory. In the final minute Ford kicked a penalty to give Pooler a hard-earned 21-10 victory at full time.

After a run of defeats, it was really important for Pooler to get a win and although it wasn’t pretty they got the job done. With the return of Kelleher Griffiths and Scarfe the scrum looked a lot more solid and Antrobus had an excellent match in the lineout. The forwards edged the contest with Allan prominent on his 50^th appearance. It wasn’t a day for the backs but when the chips were down towards the end they defended well. Well done to everyone!

Next up is the small matter of a visit to Newport for another cup match on Thursday evening. Pooler will need to build on this performance to tackle an in-form Newport outfit.

Welsh rugby continues to astound us with crisis after crisis mostly of our own making.  The fans are protesting, the players are protesting and the media are scathing. When will it all end? It is hard to see how this will come to a satisfactory outcome. I certainly do not have the answers but neither seemingly do the WRU. I don’t think we can just go back to how we were as that clearly was not working so something had to change as Welsh rugby was in danger of a downward spiral to oblivion. The Six Nations is just around the corner and the awful prospect of a heavy defeat at Twickenham looming amidst talk of a players’ strike. What a mess!

It makes my head hurt and my heart bleed so I will just look forward to our local derby against Newport on Thursday.

Come on Pooler!

Ebbw Vale Edge Fourteen Try Thriller

Well, here we go again! Pontypool had a chance to redeem last week’s heavy defeat as their conquerors Ebbw Vale visited Pontypool Park. Ebbw Vale had reinforced their position at the top of the SRC while Pooler remained at the bottom. Conditions were similar to last weekend with it being cold with a blustery wind but at least the sun was shining.

As we took our place on the Bank, it seemed as if half of Ebbw Vale had surrounded us and one thing was for sure they were not going to watch the game in silence.  The Pooler faithful were there in numbers too so it was going to be a lively afternoon on the Bank. Exactly how local derbies should be.

Pooler played down the slope in the first half and for the first seven minutes Ebbw Vale camped in the Pooler twenty-two as their forwards applied pressure with a seemingly endless series of mauls. This had been the pattern the previous weekend and bravely as Pooler defended in the end their barrier was breached and Parry score the opening try with Lloyd converting (0-7).

Pooler sparked into life and for about twenty minutes took control of the match playing some of their best rugby of the season. The period started when a break by Ford just outside the visitors’ twenty-two was supported by Minto who showed a tremendous turn of foot to score under the posts. Ford converted and it was 7-7. Pooler looked very determined and the pace they put on the game seemed to take Ebbw Vale by surprise. More good attacking play saw Lewis score Pooler’s second try and with the conversion from Ford it was 14-7.

At the start of the second quarter, Matthews won possession and his little kick forward was gathered by Marcus Jones who sped off down the left wing. He still had a lot to do but brushed off would be tacklers to score in the corner. The conversion failed but Pooler were building a healthy lead (19-7). Just a couple of minutes later McDonough scored after some quick thinking and Ford converted. Pooler were in dreamland – the try bonus point had been secured and they were leading the top side in the league 26-7.

Ebbw Vale were sure not to take this lying down and a penalty conceded by Pooler saw them back in the Pooler twenty-two and we were back to their mauling game. Pooler did very well to stop them from scoring but a bit of an argument between Matthews and Garret saw both players receive yellow cards. The loss of Matthews was a big blow to Pooler as the skipper had been in fine form. It did mark a turning point in the game as the visitors scored two quick tries in his absence. Both were from forward pressure following mistakes from Pooler. The tries were scored by Jenkins and Morris and both were converted by Lloyd. Ebbw were back in business and they were back within a score (26-21).

There was no more scoring in the last few minutes of a tumultuous first half but Pooler did butcher a really good chance when the final pass went astray.  Nevertheless, it did seem that the momentum had switched to the away team. The first score of the second half would surely be pivotal.

Both sides were still down to fourteen men at the start of the second half and again it was Ebbw Vale who took the initiative. More forward pressure saw Pooler unable to stop their surge to the line with Richards touching down. Lloyd again converted and Ebbw Vale were back in the lead at 26-28.

Both sides were back to full complements and Pooler attacked down the left touch line. Bowden for Ebbw Vale was judged to have illegally blocked a player as Pooler went for the line in pursuit of a kick ahead. Bowden was shown a yellow card and shortly afterwards Mahoney who had only just joined the fray from the bench touched down in the left corner as Pooler made full use of an overlap. The conversion from wide out failed but Pooler were back in the lead (31-28) with almost half an hour left to play.

Ebbw responded with more forward pressure following a penalty against Pontypool. Yet another driving maul saw substitute hooker Franchi score their fifth try which was unconverted but the visitors had taken a narrow 31-33 lead in this see-saw match.

As we entered the fourth quarter, there was more forward pressure from Ebbw Vale and Pooler conceded too many penalties for the referee’s liking. Kelvin Williams was shown a yellow card and Pooler were under the cosh. A minute or so later, Ebbw Vale scrum half Gruff spotted a gap from a five metre scrum and scooted around the blindside to score in the left corner. The conversion failed but Ebbw were seven points clear at 31-38.

With around ten minutes remaining, Ebbw looked to have scored the decisive try. They gained good field position and set up for yet another series of forward drives. This time they spotted Bowden in space on the right wing and a precision crosskick was gathered and touched down for a try. Jones converted and it looked all up for Pooler at 31-45.

Pooler were not done, however, and went on the attack themselves.  This time the boot was on the other foot when a crosskick from Ford to the left wing saw Davies the Pooler fullback score a try in the corner. An excellent conversion from Ford saw Pooler back within a score with little time left (38-45).

Pooler made a complete hash of fielding the kick-off and found themselves defending a five-metre scrum. In a repeat performance, it was again Bowden who was the beneficiary of an accurate Ebbw crosskick as he touched down for his second try in the right corner. Jones converted and the visitors were back to a fourteen point lead at 38-52 with no time remaining.

Final score Pontypool 38: Ebbw Vale 52.

This was a compelling match that saw fourteen tries scored with the result in doubt right up to the end. It marks a tremendous effort from Pooler who bounced back well from the heavy defeat the previous weekend. In the end, the deciding factor was the power of the Ebbw Vale mauling game which capitalised on Pooler’s mistakes. Pooler did play some great rugby at times and certainly have something to build on. It is not often that a team scores six tries and loses. It was a real shame that the last minute try from the visitors saw Pooler lose the second bonus point which was the least that they deserved.

No rugby for Pooler next weekend but they visit Bridgend the following weekend in a basement battle. Let us hope that they can break this disappointing run of defeats – on today’s form they must have a good chance.

Come on Pooler!