Celebrating in Style

I am just a little jaded this morning – with good reason I think.  Last night I attended the Pontypool RFC Annual Dinner. We had every reason to celebrate of course as the final Championship league table fully illustrates.

WRU NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL LEAGUE TABLE 2017-18
	PL	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	TF	TA	TB	LB	PTS
Pontypool RFC	22	22	0	0	926	239	687	139	30	19	0	107
Narberth RFC	22	14	1	7	595	439	156	79	60	11	3	72
Trebanos RFC	22	14	0	8	501	335	166	69	43	9	4	69
Tata Steel RFC	22	13	0	9	546	483	63	77	63	10	4	66
Newbridge RFC	22	12	0	10	460	461	-1	63	61	7	3	58
Bedlinog RFC	22	10	2	10	480	501	-21	58	66	9	5	58
Rhydyfelin RFC	22	10	0	12	391	435	-44	51	58	4	5	49
Newcastle Emlyn RFC	22	9	1	12	470	633	-163	59	83	6	3	47
Beddau RFC	22	8	0	14	379	543	-164	47	72	5	6	43
Cardiff Met RFC	22	7	2	13	473	638	-165	60	92	5	3	40
Skewen RFC	22	7	0	15	351	535	-184	43	70	2	4	34
Glynneath RFC	22	3	0	19	292	622	-330	39	86	2	3	17

Pontypool had a brilliant season as you can see from the table and left the other clubs in the league some way behind as they roared through an unprecedented unbeaten league season.

As you would expect, the evening was a joyous affair brilliantly compered by club chairman Peter Jeffreys. The large dining room was packed which is a good indication of Pooler’s loyal fan base who have been with the club through thick and thin.

Congratulations to all the award winners and indeed to those who didn’t win awards. Rugby is a team game of course and this has been very much at the heart of what Pooler have achieved. It was great to hear the award winners without exception make this point. You really get the feeling that the management, coaches and players are very much on the same page when it comes to moving the club forward. Long may it continue.

We were kept entertained throughout the evening both by the player interviews and the inimitable Phil Steele. The end of evening disco was a step too far for us elder statesmen however and we beat a hasty retreat well fed and watered.

Whilst the dinner was in full swing, the Cardiff Blues were playing Gloucester in the Challenge Cup Final in Bilbao. I have just watched the match on the TV and enjoyed it immensely. Of course when you already know the result you do not really have the same feeling of tension. Hearty congratulations go to the Blues for their stirring comeback and the quality of their rugby. Gloucester may feel a bit aggrieved about a decision or two that didn’t go their way but then that’s rugby. What a great couple of weeks for Cardiff with the Bluebirds winning promotion and the Cardiff Devils sweeping all before them.

It seems a long time until September and the new rugby season. Enjoy the break Pooler and let’s have more of the same in what could be a momentous season.