Pontypool Steel It

A dank October afternoon and the memory of the previous week’s agonising defeat at Swansea did nothing to instil a feeling of optimism for the Pontypool faithful as we took our places on the Bank for our weekly fix. The visitors were Tata Steel who were a place above us in the league and were enjoying a winning streak and would surely prove a tough nut to crack. The match exceeded all expectations, however, and turned out to be a real roller coaster ride with the final outcome in doubt until the final whistle.

Pontypool played down the slope in the first half and immediately went on the offensive. The backs looked dangerous and a simple passing move put Norton over in the corner to open up a 5-0 lead. If the Pontypool backs looked the more potent, the Tata Steel forwards seemed to have the edge and were particularly effective at the breakdown where their greater bulk was difficult for the home side to handle. The away forwards worked their way into the Pontypool 22 and were rewarded with a penalty goal. Pooler countered with a splendid try by Norton after a brilliant break by Brooks from broken play. A successful conversion made the score 12-3.

Back came the Tata forwards who hammered away against a stubborn goal line defence from Pooler. Something had to give and it was Pooler with Edbrook scoring near the posts to close the gap once more to 2 points at 12-10.

Shortly before half time the visitors were reduced to 14 men following a yellow card for one of their props. Pooler gratefully seized the opportunity with Hailes crossing for a try virtually unopposed as a huge gap in the Tata defence opened up in front of him. This left the score at 19-10 with Pontypool having all the momentum. Unfortunately they failed to capitalise on some excellent field position and couldn’t open up what could have been a winning lead before the half time whistle blew.

Tata Steel had clearly had a good mentoring during the half time break and came out bristling with aggression and for the next 15 minutes or so they simple blew Pontypool away. The home side looked shell-shocked as the visitors racked up three tries in quick succession leaving the score at 19-29.

It looked all up for Pooler but the introduction of three fresh forwards from the bench gave impetus to the pack and they started to win some good possession for the backs. A successful penalty and a good try by Hurley, who picked a lovely running line, to score near the posts were the reward and the score was tied up at 29-29. It was anyone’s game with ten minutes or so remaining.

The ball squirted out of the side of a maul on the Tata 10 metre line and the away side reacted quicker and broke down the touch line. Evans, their left wing, kicked ahead and won the chase to score a try in the corner. Crucially the conversion went wide but still Tata now led 29-34 with little time remaining.

Pooler showed their resolve and worked their way up deep into the Tata 22. An offence at a ruck left Tata reduced to 14 men when a yellow card was shown to their hooker. This was Pooler’s chance for glory and they took full advantage with Norton crossing for his third try and importantly managing to run around under the posts to make the vital conversion as easy as possible. Hancock obliged and Pontypool were leading 36-34 with very little time remaining. There was still enough time for one last desperate foray from Tata that frayed the nerves but it came to nothing, Pontypool had come out victors in an exhilarating game.

This match showed that Pontypool are still a force to be reckoned with and have three-quarters that are a potent threat if they are given quick ball. The forwards have plenty of spirit but due to an unfortunate spate of injuries we miss the ball carriers to give that go-forward that we need. This match was yet another great advertisement for the Championship and Tata can consider themselves a little unlucky to be the losing side but then Pooler had that feeling the previous week.

I managed to squeeze in a few moments of TV watching and was impressed by the Scarlets victory over Leicester. The Ospreys were simply overpowered with George putting the North in Northampton. Toulon look like they will be mighty difficult to knock off their pedestal and must be clear favourites.

By all accounts the Dragons let a win slip through their fingers against Newcastle in the Challenge Cup and so the gloss has been rather taken off their win in France last week.

The Welsh squad contained few surprises but if this is to be the end for Adam Jones I would like to salute his contribution to the Welsh team and the three Grand Slam teams he was part of. As for James Hook, I continue to wonder how we can have a player of his undoubted talent not fully involved.

As I reported last week, my boycott of the World Cup over ticket prices didn’t really have the desired effect at all. I actually know someone who is excited to have got tickets for Tonga v Namibia in Exeter for only £60. Is it just me?

Well it’s been a stressful few weeks for Pontypool fans. Let’s hope we can secure a victory down in Bridgend next week before the ridiculous break for the autumn internationals. But don’t get me started on that….