Mission Accomplished

Conditions at Pontypool Park were absolutely foul and if we had been on a ship we would have sought refuge in the nearest harbour. As it was, the strong wind and sheets of rain made me seek the sanctuary of the stand for the first time in a couple of years. It was one of those days when you wondered why you had left the comfort of your home but then of course when the teams run out on to the field you know exactly why. Pontypool were looking to extend their run of victories against the doughty Narberth. We rather hoped that Narberth’s nickname “the Otters” was not based on their aquatic abilities.

Pontypool won the toss and elected to play up the slope and against the wind in the first half. They started brightly enough and, before all the players were completely soaked through, scored an excellent try when Brooks outflanked the Narberth defence after some skilful passing which made light of the atrocious conditions. Gullis converted miraculously from near the touchline for an early 7-0 lead.

The weather and Narberth then took charge and the home side were confined to their half for the rest of the first quarter. All the away side’s pressure eventually told and they scored a good try when their fullback Morgan scored after some slick passing. The successful conversion tied the game up at 7-7.

Pooler immediately hit back when Nash charged down Narberth’s attempted clearance kick straight from the kick off. Nash fed Popple and the prop trundled over for an invaluable try (12-7). After this brief interlude, play was confined to the Pooler half for the rest of the first half. The slippery ball and the sodden pitch made attacking play difficult and the away side had to be content with a penalty to leave the score at half time 12-10. The home side must have been delighted to have a narrow lead and to be able to look forward to the assistance of slope and wind in the second period.

The second half was a mirror image of the first half with Pooler camped in their opponents half. Narberth were well organised and their forwards were powerful in the loose and in the scrum and they managed to frustrate all Pooler’s efforts in the third quarter. After the usual raft of substitutions, the home side started to get the upper hand in the forward exchanges and play was almost exclusively inside the Narberth twenty two. The pressure was bound to tell and eventually Nash was driven over from a lineout close to the try line. The conversion failed but Pooler had opened up a useful, but still not decisive, 17-10 lead.

The attrition continued as the home side went in search of their fourth try and the bonus point that would keep them well-placed in the titanic battle at the top of the championship. After a number of close calls, Jeune eventually managed to drive over the line with a couple of minutes to spare. The conversion again failed but there was no way back for Narberth at 22-10. You got the feeling that everyone - players, referee and spectators alike - couldn’t wait for the final whistle.

This was very much “mission accomplished” in absolutely awful conditions. Pontypool eked out a bonus point win against strong opposition which says much for the spirit and belief that is growing in the team. This was not a day for back play and the forwards had to battle hard against the tough Narberth pack. Well done everyone!

Next week brings the prospect of an even tougher fixture when Pontypool visit St Helens and a match against second placed Swansea. Swansea are the only team to have beaten Pooler this season so this is bound to require an enormous effort if we are to turn over our long-time rivals in the West.

In a different world, I see that Faletau is to join Bath at the end of the season. This affair seems to have been managed incredibly badly with the Dragons being the losers. I don’t blame the player as he wants to play a higher standard of rugby and be rewarded financially for it. Then there is George North signing up for an extended period at Northampton and the curious affair of Scott Williams signing for the Scarlets but not on a WRU contract. With Jamie Roberts joining Harlequins and Charteris joining Bath it appears that, even with the WRU contract, the money on offer in the regions is not going to be able to keep all the best players in Wales. It will be interesting to see what Halfpenny does.

Meanwhile in the European cups there were home wins for the Ospreys, Blues and Dragons against French opposition and a disastrous loss for the Scarlets in Glasgow. I watched Ulster dismantle Toulouse on Friday evening and once again you wonder at the French fragility away from home. Even the mighty Clermont were humbled at Exeter.

Still we at Pontypool don’t need to worry about the French. We are looking forward to our own Agincourt at Swansea.

Once more unto the breach dear friends! Come on Pooler!