Pontypool Just Fall Short

Rugby at last. The monsoon has finally subsided in the Gwent Valleys and we can get back down to business. On the agenda for a cold grey Saturday afternoon at Pontypool Park was the little matter of a SWALEC Cup match between Pontypool and Bedwas. Bedwas are in the Premiership and so this would be a decent yardstick to use to measure how far Pontypool have developed.

Of course the Cup is not what it used to be and it has become a pretty low key affair with even finding out the results proving difficult these days. A far cry from those dramatic matches against Cardiff in a packed Pontypool Park all those years ago. I still have nightmares about Gerald Davies and his four lucky tries. Nevertheless with so little rugby since Xmas it was an important match for both sides.

Bedwas played down the slope in the first half and if they had spoken in the changing room about the importance getting a fast start then their wishes came true. They scored a try under the posts through fullback John within the first few minutes as Pontypool were trying to cope with the strong ball carriers that Bedwas possessed. It looked pretty ominous for Pooler as Bedwas played at a higher pace than they were used to in the Championship.

Pooler are made of stern stuff these days and gradually they got up to speed and began to compete strongly in all phases of the game. Indeed there was little to choose between the two sides as the first half progressed. Pooler got on the scoreboard with a Hancock penalty to make the score 3-7 and it was game on. At times things got a little fractious as both sets of forwards struggled to get ascendancy and this eventually led to the sinbinning of Nash and Lee who had been having a bit of a debate about something or other. Both sides had some decent attacking opportunities but the defences held firm. Bedwas did look the more dangerous and towards the end of the half they scored a try after some good approach play put John in for his second try in the corner. The conversion failed but the Premiership side had opened up a significant lead at 3-12. The home side were unlucky not to reduce the deficit when a long range Hancock penalty hit a post but the score remained at 3-12 at half time.

So to the second half and this time it was Pooler who got the fast start and gave Bedwas a dose of their own medicine with the forwards carrying strongly right from the first whistle. After a series of powerful drives close to the Bedwas line Tu’ipolotu squirmed over for a try. Unfortunately the conversion sailed wide but Pooler were back in the game at 8-12. Indeed it was the home side who looked the more lively as they sensed that an upset might be on the cards. Unlike in Championship matches the teams were allowed to have eight replacements on the bench and Bedwas began to bring on fresh legs as they sensed the danger.

The home side worked their way deep into the Bedwas twenty two and gained a penalty in front of the posts to close the gap to 11-12. Then came the moment that eventually decided the match. Just as Pontypool were gathering themselves for a further assault on the Bedwas line, the visitors showed their class and scored a try just when they really needed it. Their backs again showed real pace with Pooler old boy Budina scoring in the corner. The conversion from the touchline put Bedwas two scores clear at 11-19. Pooler had it all to do again.

For the rest of the half Pontypool tried their hardest to get back into the game. Frustratingly every time that they worked themselves into a decent field position Bedwas seemed to get a turnover. The choke tackle law can certainly be annoying for an attacking team. In addition, the referee’s interpretation of what is happening at the breakdown can be mystifying to those watching from the Bank. Bedwas were reduced to fourteen men by a sinbinning but Pooler still couldn’t get the score they needed to set up a tense finish to the match. Bedwas held out until the end to leave the final score 11-19.

Pontypool can be immensely proud of their performance and they pushed a good team from a higher league all the way. The whole team played with tremendous commitment with some really ferocious defence knocking the Bedwas attackers back time after time. The final score line is quite flattering to Bedwas who had to work really hard for this victory. In the final analysis the difference between the two sides was that Bedwas took their chances more effectively. Bedwas managed to score their tries at exactly the right time – right at the start, just before half time and when Pooler were really pressing. Pontypool can take a lot from this game and use it as a platform for a strong end to the season.

Congratulations to the Ospreys and the Dragons for two really good performances against tough French opposition. Some of the performances by the younger players were extremely encouraging. Let us hope that both can go on and qualify for the next phases of their respective European competitions.

Next week it is back to Championship action. Pontypool have a visit to struggling Llanharan but should take nothing for granted.

Come on Pooler!