Pontypool Defeat in the Sandwich

Sandwiched in between Italy v Wales and Scotland v Wales, normal service was resumed at Pontypool Park. Blackwood were the visitors on a beautiful sunny afternoon and the Park looked a picture. Since Pooler had already lost twice to Blackwood this season, our expectations were not high - perhaps a losing bonus point.

When the teams ran out, I was amazed to see that Pontypool had not changed their strip. The red, white and black stripes of Pontypool were hard to tell apart from the red, black and yellow stripes of Blackwood when looking into the sun. I don't think the yellow tint on my sunglasses helped! If Pooler had changed to white shorts it might have helped.

In the two previous encounters of the season, Blackwood had stormed away at the start and the game was over by half time. We were startled to see Pooler take the early initiative and even take a lead through a Gullis penalty. My fears of not being able to tell the two sides apart were soon allayed as the tactics unfolded. Pooler were content to kick the ball away (often badly) virtually every time they got possession while Blackwood mixed it up far better with Emanuelli controlling the game effectively. Whilst Blackwood did not run away with it, they gradually gained the ascendancy and turned possession into points with two well taken tries and a penalty. The home side managed to stay in touch with two more penalties and the half time score of 9-17 was a distinct improvement on the matches at Blackwood. Pooler had actually "won" the second half in those games so all was not lost particularly as we were playing down the slope.

In the second half things did not get any better as Blackwood scored another converted try and a penalty to push their score up to 27. Then unexpectedly, after a rash of substitutions, Pooler suddenly gained ascendancy in the scrums and pushed Blackwood all over the park. Blackwood were conceding a penalty at every scrum and Pooler were camped in their half. A yellow card and Blackwood were a man short. Pontypool quickly amassed 8 points through a try on the corner by Morgan and another penalty form Gullis. With the score 17-27, Pooler looked threatening and Blackwood looked nervous. Unfortunately the Pontypool backs lacked penetration and did not seem to have any "strike moves" to trouble a strong Blackwood defence. A tremendous driving maul was stopped just short of the Blackwood try line but unfortunately the defending side were awarded the put-in at the ensuing scrum and managed to scramble the ball away. More substitutions followed and Pooler's ascendancy at the scrum disappeared as quickly as it had arrived. A rare foray by Blackwood into the Pooler half led to another penalty for Emanuelli and the game at 17-30 was put firmly beyond the home side's reach.

This was a more spirited performance than of late from Pontypool and one that deserved at least a losing bonus point. On the plus side the scrummaging is much improved and Pooler won plenty of possession but on the minus side the backs lack penetration. At the start of the season it was the reverse - is there a lesson there somewhere?