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 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 Rock 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!

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!