Pooler Light the Afterburners

Pontypool were hoping to continue their winning run in the Championship when they took on Beddau at Pontypool Park on a dull but dry day. Beddau have always proved tough opposition particularly on their own patch and we looked forward to a competitive encounter.

Pontypool played up the slope in the first half and against a light breeze but made a sluggish start. Beddau seized the initiative and were soon in front through a penalty (0-3). As the home side struggled to find their rhythm, Beddau sensed that an upset was on the cards. They certainly looked the more likely to score the first try even though the Pooler defence was characteristically strong. As the game went into the second quarter, Beddau centre, Ashford, powered through the home defence to score near the posts and with the conversion things began to look ominous for Pontypool at 0-10.

Pooler needed to react and react they did a few minutes later. At last, a period of continuity with the ball being spread across the field by backs and forwards alike. It ended with a fine try when fullback Davies took the scoring pass wide on the right. Jones converted and the scoreboard looked a whole lot better at 7-10. The game was now evenly poised but there were signs that Pooler were just beginning to get the better of their opponents in the forward exchanges. As the half drew to a close, Nash powered over after a strong forward drive and Pontypool took the lead at 12-10.

One suspected that a few words of homespun advice were offered in the home changing room at half time as Pontypool started really strongly after the interval. Beddau managed to keep them out for five minutes or so but then followed one of the most breath-taking fifteen minutes of rugby that I have seen Pontypool play. It was if someone had lit the blue touch-paper on a firework. The Pontypool backs lit the afterburners and cut loose. Jones threw well-timed and accurate passes to get the three-quarters moving and fullback Davies provided the penetration with his well-timed interventions. It was Davies who opened the flood gates as he popped in support of Prothero in the left corner (17-10). Then came a candidate for try of the season as Meek, Jones and Davies combined for wing Thomas to score (24-10). Not to be outdone, the forwards got in the act when hooker Jeune picked a lovely angle to power over under the posts (31-10).

Before Beddau could get their breath back, Davies was at it again with a brilliant break that deserved a try. As he was tackled just short of the line, he popped up the ball for Jones who scored and then nailed the conversion (38-10). Moments later it was Gullis making a break and, despite the attentions of the Beddau defence, managed to stagger over the line for a try. This was converted by substitute Hancock (45-10). Pontypool had scored five tries and amassed 33 points in around fifteen minutes of high octane rugby and completely blown their dumbfounded opponents away.

Pontypool had made their substitutions and the game settled back into a more sedate pace as everyone on and off the field seemed to be stunned by what had just happened. Pontypool were still well on top but the team needed time to adjust to the fresh players. The truce did not last long though and Pooler were soon at it again piling on another three tries in the final ten minutes. A pushover try from Nash, a try by Meek following a break by Prothero and the final try coming from substitute scrum half Luckwell. All three were converted moving the score on to 66-10.

As the game came to an end, there was time for Beddau to get a consolation try as Francis took a quick tap penalty and scuttled over with the Pooler team looking on. Final score 66-17.

Well what can you say after a game like that? The Pooler “purple patch” was just incredible with the backs showing what a dangerous outfit they can be. Davies at fullback was outstanding but he was well supported by his team mates with Thomas on the wing showing bags of potential. Fantastic!

I did watch South Africa v New Zealand when I got home from the match and you have to say the Springboks were a little unlucky to lose. As I wrote last week, Wales are going to have a tough autumn even if they are going to come up again second or third choice players from the Southern Hemisphere. With the exodus of our best players from the Welsh regions, it will be interesting to see whether Gatland’s Law survives. Next week will show just how competitive the regions are (or aren’t) as they take on top flight opposition in the European cups.

For Pontypool there will be the visit of Skewen to the Park. Let’s hope we can reach the dizzy heights of Saturday again.

Come on Pooler!