Pooler are full of the joys of spring

What could be better than spending a lovely spring afternoon in Pontypool Park? Answer a lovely spring afternoon accompanied by a win for Pontypool RFC. Yes, Pontypool’s recent good form continues with a narrow victory over Narberth.

Narberth seemed to hold all the aces with a taller, heavier pack and the usual pacy set of West Walian backs. Pontypool, however, had other ideas and produced a tenacious, committed display that never let Narberth settle and gain control of the game. Frequently out-muscled in the scrums and forced to concede territory by the away side’s driving maul, Pooler countered with strong tackling and gained the edge at the breakdown forcing a series of turnovers. Once the home side got the ball they showed their attacking intent with, at times, excellent handling with backs and forwards combining well.

The two sides scored three tries each but it is the manner in which the tries were scored that is rather surprising. In a reversal of roles, the West Wales club’s tries all came from forward dominance - a push-over try and a penalty try from scrums and a forward try from close to the line. Pooler, on the other hand, scored their tries from distance following excellent work by the backs and forwards in unison. The Pontypool backs seemed to be revelling in the dry conditions and are looking a far more potent unit than they did only a few weeks ago.

Pontypool spent most of the match narrowly in the lead but Narberth never allowed them to gain a decisive lead. Pooler’s third try finally opened up and 8 point lead at 23-15 with not much time remaining. Narberth came storming back and exerted tremendous pressure on the Pontypool line and eventually closed the gap to just 1 point at 23-22 folowing a penalty try. Pooler survived a tense few minutes to gain a narrow but deserved victory. Finally, a word of praise for the referee who allowed the game to flow and helped to make it an enjoyable spectacle.

Only one game left now and a home win over Tata Steel would finish a difficult season on a high note. Hopefully, over the closed season, we can strengthen the squad and approach next season with a degree of optimism and leave the dark days behind.

Congratulations to Ebbw Vale on winning the Championship. They have looked by far the best side in the league and it is a travesty that they cannot take their place in the Premiership. I am sure that they would have been more than a match for most of the teams in that league this season as their narrow defeat by Pontypridd (champions elect) in the Cup demonstrated. The standard in the Premiership seems to be patchy at best and I’m not sure that it is achieving its objectives (whatever they were!). The lack of relegation seems to have allowed a degree of complacency amongst some of the WRU’s favourite clubs.

Congratulations also to Cardiff City on their promotion to soccer’s Premier League. This will put even more pressure on the regional rugby to provide a competitive product. I still do not detect any signs of any progress on charting a way forward. Then again, I’m not really surprised.