Victories for Pontypool in
the first three months of the season over the last five or six years have been
as rare as good decisions made by the WRU concerning the structure of Welsh
rugby. It was therefore with some trepidation that we headed for Mount Pleasant Park Pontypool team
with plenty of new faces. Identification of our new heroes was made a little
challenging when the programme had the team printed in reverse order with the
full back Davies given the number one.
Right from the first whistle
Pooler seized the initiative and looked the stronger side. They played with
positive intent and very quickly Hurley had crossed for an excellent try. Those
of us who have watched Pooler for many decades have seen them flatter to
deceive with an early score many times before. This time it seemed much more
convincing and they dominated the first half to lead 0-20 with three tries in
the bag. Heady stuff indeed! In truth they should have racked up a few more
points but were let down by some inaccurate passing with the line beckoning.
Pooler had some strong ball carriers from numbers 4 to 8 (or 8 to 12 in the
programme) with Dychoff and Sparkes particularly prominent. The backs also
looked to have plenty of pace and power.
Beddau re-emerged in the second
half and scored a try after concerted pressure on the Pooler line. Was a
comeback on the cards? Pooler quickly slammed the door shut and secured their
bonus point try. From then on, the game degenerated into a mistake fest as
tired bodies and copious replacements affected both sides. Pooler grabbed two
more tries and Beddau had some consolation from a penalty try and another try
from short range from the last play of the game. The final score was 21-41 -
this is a welcome reversal of last season’s 29-8 defeat at the same venue.
I don’t think anyone should get too
carried away with this victory but it is a marked improvement on the fare
served up a year ago. Pooler seem to have recruited wisely and the team look
fit and motivated. There are far more difficult assignments ahead, however, and
the coaches will need to work hard if we are to challenge the likes of Ebbw
Vale. Whilst the set pieces looked reasonably solid, there were a lot of
turnovers conceded at the breakdown - the only area where Beddau had an edge. The
cohesion between half backs and backs also broke down alarmingly at times but
this can only improve as the team gels over the course of the next few months.
I am optimistic that we can build
on this win and enjoy a far better season (with fingers and legs firmly crossed
and a rabbit’s foot in my pocket).
I watched the Scarlets lose to Leinster on the TV. After promising much in the first
half, they were dismantled by a weakened Leinster
side after the break. No change there then. One noteworthy change was the
Dragons defeat of Ulster
- could it be that they can move up the regional pecking order this season?
Early days I think.
I also watched a French league
match between Toulouse
and Racing Club. I was amazed to learn that in France the home side wins more than
85% of league matches. More often than not the away team fields a weakened side
as canon fodder so that their better players can be protected and hopefully secure a win in front of their
sponsors. Dan Lydiate had to do even more tackling than he did for the Dragons
as Racing Club were stuffed. No wonder French teams travel notoriously badly -
a losing mentality must become engrained.
PS: Good luck to Josh Lewsey - he’s going to need it. Let’s
hope he can bring some much needed good sense to the WRU.
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