More Pain for Brave Pooler

Pontypool had one more chance to secure promotion to the Premiership when they visited Bargoed. Last week promotion was snatched agonisingly from their grasp by a penalty in the last few minutes of the match against RGC 1404. This week only a win would do but, if you had to pick a place to get a win, Bargoed is probably the most difficult one in the Championship. Bargoed are in storming form and have already beaten all three of the other main contenders on their patch. A large crowd with strong representation from both camps had gathered on a blustery day in the Rhymney Valley to watch the contest.

Pooler started with a bang with Lewis scoring a try in the left corner in the first couple of minutes. The conversion sailed wide but Pooler were up and running. This galvanised Bargoed into action and for the next ten minutes they took up residence in the Pontypool 22 with the away side giving away a stream of penalties. It was inevitable that the home side would score and their try came from Weyman from close range. The conversion failed and the scores were tied at 5-5.

Bargoed remained in the ascendancy as their pack and scrum half Pizey controlled the game. It took some stout defending from Pooler to keep them out. The away captain and hooker Parry had to leave the field with a shoulder injury which meant a reshuffle in the front row. Bargoed deservedly went ahead through a penalty but this was quickly cancelled out by a penalty for the away side from Gullis (8-8).

The last few minutes of the half belonged to Bargoed and they were awarded a further two kickable penalties as they attacked strongly and Jones duly obliged to leave the half time score 14-8. Pontypool certainly had it all to do in the second half.

The first half an hour of the second half was virtually all played in the Bargoed half as Pontypool raised their game and pounded away. The Pontypool scrum gained the ascendancy and the home side started to concede penalties. Pooler got over the line on a couple of occasions but failed to get the ball down. It was excruciating to watch as an away supporter. Try as they might, and they tried bloody hard, Pooler could not get the all-important try. The resolute Bargoed defence seemed impregnable.

As the game entered its closing stages, Bargoed were awarded a penalty in a rare incursion into Pooler territory. Jones converted it and the Eastern Valley contingent knew the game was virtually up as the Bargoed lead had stretched to nine points. Bargoed closed the game out deep in Pontypool territory and celebrated their promotion as the final whistle sounded with the score at 17-8.

The Pontypool players could not have tried harder or given more but they came up against formidable opponents in Bargoed who richly deserve promotion.  After a stuttering start, Bargoed have finished the season the strongest of all the teams and, of course, were denied promotion last season after winning the Championship by a street.

Pontypool now drop to fourth place in the league but have completed all their fixtures. RGC 1404 in fifth place are still seven points behind but have two games to play. If they win both games then they will be promoted. The Gogs have two away games at Cardiff Met and Glynneath so there is still some hope for Pontypool.

The Championship this season has virtually divided into two with the top five teams way ahead with almost forty points separating them from the rest. Whilst Pontypool’s performance against the lower teams has been exemplary, they have struggled against the top teams. They have only won once and drawn once in the eight matches with the points tally eight for and thirty against. If they fail to gain promotion, then this is the deciding factor. It is worth noting that Pontypool’s final total of ninety four points would have put them comfortably in third place last season.

If RGC 1404 win their last two games as expected, then the current situation is that Pontypool will be confined to the Championship for three years as the Premiership is to be ring-fenced. Some might say this is just sour grapes, but doesn’t that seem ridiculous.

We still have and anxious week or so as the final matches are played out so I will be keeping my fingers crossed. Stranger things have happened!

All this and England winning the Grand Slam – bah! It’s enough to put a man off his beer.

Come on Cardiff Met! Come on Glynneath!