It’s Not Over Yet

It is squeaky bum time as Sir Alex Ferguson would have it. Pontypool were entertaining one of their deadly rivals, RGC 1404, knowing that a victory would win them promotion to the premiership. It was a sunny afternoon, the pitch was in great condition, and a large crowd had assembled to watch what was sure to be a close game. The North Walians had brought a large and vociferous contingent of supporters who were intent on making themselves heard. It was like old times at the Park.

Pontypool lost the toss and played down the slope in the first half. A good start was essential for the home side and they went to work straight away. The scrum looked strong and they set out their attacking intent. They were up against a strong and well organised defence, however, and the only reward for their early pressure was a Gullis penalty. The Pooler lineout creaked a bit and they got on the wrong side of the referee at the breakdown and RGC started to test the home defence with some astute tactical kicking. RGC 1404 evened up the score at 3-3 with a penalty goal converted by impressive outside half Lang. This was going to be a close match.

Then RGC 1404 speculatively kicked ahead into the Pontypool 22. Everything seemed to stop as the ball looked to have gone into touch on the full and bounced back in to play. Everything stopped that is, apart from two RGC attackers, and Lang gleefully touched the ball down for a try. The Pontypool supporters looked on in disbelief as the touch judge’s flag stayed down. The conversion by Lang gave the Gogs a 3-10 lead. Aaargh!

The home side went on the attack and closed the gap to 6-10 with another Gullis penalty. Just before half time came the second contentious incident in the match when Hurley and an RGC 1404 player collided in mid-air when they were both trying to catch a high kick. The referee rather harshly gave Hurley a yellow card when it looked a fifty-fifty call.

Pooler were stung into action and played their best rugby of the match but again found the Gogs’ defence difficult to penetrate. They did manage to win a third penalty that Gullis duly converted to reduce the arrears to 9-10 with half time looming. Nash fielded the restart but he was immediately swamped by the away pack who forced a turnover. The North Walians ruthlessly exploited the absence of the Pooler right wing for Bagshaw to score in the corner. Lang’s conversion from the touch line gave RGC 1404 a useful 9-17 lead as the half came to a close. Aaargh!

The late try was a real sickener for the home side who had given as good as they got in a pretty even first half. They certainly had it all to do in the second half.

The second half was really all about Pooler trying to crack the RGC1404 defence while staying on the right side of the referee. This was certainly not easy to achieve. For the first half an hour, the game was virtually confined to RGC 1404 half as Pooler pounded away. A fourth penalty from Gullis made the score 12-17 but Pontypool really needed a try. With around ten minutes remaining, Pooler finally got their richly deserved reward when Harris squirmed over for a try from a ruck near the line. The conversion just fell short but Pooler were on even terms at 17-17.  If they could just hold on to a draw, it was enough for promotion.

RGC 1404 bounced back as they knew a win was essential and Pooler started to get a little tense and the game ebbed and flowed. RGC 1404 were awarded a scrum in the Pontypool half and their scrum half knocked the ball on as the scrum wheeled. The referee decided to penalise Pontypool for the wheel and Lang gratefully accepted the opportunity for the Gogs to take back the lead at 17-20. Aaargh!

Pontypool worked their way back into the opposition half but a long range penalty attempt from Gullis went wide. Try as they might in the dying seconds, Pooler could not get the crucial score that they needed against the resolute RGC 1404 defence. The North Walian supporters danced in glee as the final whistle sounded and the home supporters trooped morosely out of the ground.

The Pontypool team gave their all to this match and a draw would probably have been a fair result. To the slightly biased supporter, Pooler didn’t seem to have the rub of the green with a number of crucial decisions not going their way. Still it is not all over as Pooler are still hold third place albeit narrowly.

Team                           Played             Points

Merthyr                         24                    108

Swansea                       25                    103

Pontypool                      25                    94

Bargoed                        24                    92

RGC 1404                    24                     87

The equation for Pontypool is quite simple they need to win at Bargoed next week to secure promotion. Nothing else will do unless RGC 1404 slip up in one of their remaining fixtures against Cardiff Met (a) and Glynneath (a).

If you say it quickly it seems easy but wins for the away side at Bargoed are as rare as hen’s teeth. Bargoed do not actually have to win as they have a home game against bottom-but-one side Glynneath to fall back on and six points from the two games will guarantee them promotion. Rest assured Bargoed will not do Pooler any favours and they will take great pleasure in putting one over on their Gwent rivals. So this is a really tough assignment.

The Pontypool squad and the supporters need to pick themselves up from Saturday’s disappointment and make the short journey to Bargoed next Saturday and make sure that we have a rousing last game of the season. Remember we are still in the race and it’s still within our grasp.

Come on Pooler!