A View of Welsh Rugby from the Bank at Pontypool RFC: Champagne Rugby

There was a festive air about Pontypool Park on Saturday. Pontypool were playing their last home game of a mighty successful season. The previous week they had secured the Welsh Championship title and nothing was going to rain on their parade. The Park was bathed in glorious sunshine as young and old enjoyed the party atmosphere. Tata Steel RFC were the visitors and had every intention of being party poopers if they could. For a large part of the season they had been Pooler’s nearest challengers but their challenge had fallen away over the last month or so.

Pontypool kicked off playing down the slope and soon showed that they meant business. They scored three tries within the first quarter of an hour – a powerful burst by Davies, Brooks showing his pace to win the chase from a kick ahead and Watkins from a driving lineout. With two successful conversions from Jones, a 19-0 lead had been opened up before Tata could draw breath.

Pontypool failed to secure the ball from the kick off after their third try and Tata showed that they were not there just to make up the numbers with a well taken try by Davies which was converted by Owen (19-7).

This, however, did not sow the seeds of a comeback as Pooler took complete control in the second quarter with the backs looking like they could score at will. Pooler recorded four more tries through Kent, Thorley, Brooks and Gullis with two successful conversions to make the score at half time an incredible 43-7. The visitors seemingly had no answer to the power and pace of the Pooler machine.

What happened in the second half was bizarre to say the least. Pooler emerged from the changing room looking like they had eaten a nice lunch accompanied by a glass of a robust red wine. Tata Steel came out looking like they had been fed raw meat and were on a mission to salvage their wounded pride. It took the visitors a few minutes to realise that Pooler were having a siesta and then they mounted a fantastic assault. The home defence obligingly opened like the Red Sea for Moses and Tata took full toll. In no time they ran in five tries as their lively backs discovered their mojo. Fortunately for Pooler, Tata’s goal kicking did not match their running and only one of the tries was converted. Nevertheless a seemingly impregnable lead had disappeared before the home team’s very eyes. Tata had amazingly closed the gap to 43-34 and we had barely reached the final quarter of the match.

Pooler’s answer was to empty the substitute’s bench and, once the fresh personnel had got up to speed, the home side regained a grip on a match that was careering out of their grasp. A brace of tries from Thorley settled Pontypool’s nerves and made the scoreboard look a little bit more comfortable at 55-34. Pooler were still pressing hard as a breath-taking game came to a close.

After the game, Pontypool were presented with the cup for winning the Championship by Gareth Davies from the WRU. There was the obligatory champagne shower for those who got too close. I had forgotten how nice it is when your team wins something!

As we celebrated Pooler’s brilliant achievement, I couldn’t help looking back to another sunny day in April the previous season. That time we had little to celebrate when RGC 1404 had beaten us and ultimately scuppered our chances of promotion to the Premiership. Pontypool have done incredibly well to bounce back from that heartbreak and have played some great rugby this season. All this would not be possible but for the support of Peter and Ben Jeffreys and all our other sponsors who have stood by our great club – a big thank you to them all.

The season is not over for Pontypool. Next Saturday they travel to Bedlinog for the final match of the season. Bedlinog have secured their Championship status for next season but will still want to put one over on the champs if they can. I don’t expect another try fest that is for sure.

Our near neighbours Newbridge have a tough challenge on their hands - if they are to avoid relegation they need to get some points out of a visit to second placed Narberth . I wish them all the best.

Well done to all at Pooler you have made an old man very happy!