Pooler Stand Firm

This was a somewhat unusual occasion these day - a mid-week game under floodlights. Quite nostalgic really. Pontypool visited Skewen in their latest Championship fixture. This was always going to be tough encounter with the home side desperately trying to stave off relegation while Pontypool were keen to keep their unbeaten record at the other end of the league table. Despite the heavy rain of the last couple of days, the pitch was in reasonable condition. The floodlights were not the most effective but still we had a rugby match to watch.

Pontypool started well enough and quickly established themselves in the Skewen half and dominated the first quarter. The first Pooler try came from an excellent long cut-out pass by Meek which found Owen Williams in space. He made good ground and then found Gullis in support at the critical moment to score in the corner (0-5). As the quarter came to an end, Thomas entered the line at speed and skipped past a couple of defenders to canter in under the posts from twenty metres or so. Meek converted and Pontypool looked set at 0-12.

Skewen fought back hard and Pooler started to concede penalties at the breakdown in the second quarter. A Skewen lineout close to the Pontypool try-line was challenged by the away side and the ball went loose. The home hooker, Morris, pounced on it and although the conversion missed Skewen were very much back in the game at 5-12.

This seemed to give the home side even more motivation and they certainly gave the strong Pontypool defence a testing time. Pontypool did what good sides do and scored at the critical time – in this case just before half time. Skewen had Gethin sin-binned for a high tackle and Pontypool looked to have squandered an excellent field position when an attack broke down. Skewen’s relieving kick went to the Pooler fullback Thomas who ran the ball straight back at them and linked with Owen Williams who scored a vital try in the corner. Meek’s conversion was good and at half time Pontypool held a decent 5-19 lead with three tries to their credit.

Skewen came out in the second half in a very determined mood and laid siege to the Pontypool line. It took a brilliant defensive effort from Pooler to keep them out. It seemed that the pressure must eventually tell but the away side managed to repel wave after wave of attackers as the Skewen showed excellent ball retention skills. Occasionally Pooler managed to clear their line from a turnover but Skewen came pounding straight back

Mid way through the half Pooler finally gained a foothold in the Skewen half and took full advantage and effectively killed the game off in a five minute period. First, Herbert ran an excellent inside supporting line to run twenty metres to score under the posts and then Parry was the beneficiary of a driving lineout to score Pooler’s fifth try. With one successful conversion, Pontypool had established an unassailable 5-31 lead and gained the bonus point - albeit against the run of play.

A few minutes later, Pontypool were down to fourteen men when Coundley was sin- binned and from then on it was all hands to the pumps as Skewen stationed themselves in the Pontypool twenty two. The Pontypool defence remained watertight and despite a fantastic effort from the dogged home side they could not add to their first half try. At full time the score was still 5-31 - a score line that certainly flattered Pontypool.

This was a really hard fought victory for Pontypool with Skewen throwing the kitchen sink at them. The defence was outstanding and, of course, in attack they were ruthless in taking the chances that came their way. To come away with a bonus point win was a great achievement.

It certainly does not get any easier for Pontypool with their next match on Saturday a visit to another side near the bottom of the Championship in Rhydyfelin. We can be certain that, like Skewen, they will be giving it their all.

Come on Pooler!