Pontypool Defy the Elements

I was desperately in need of a fix of Pontypool rugby but as I looked out of the window on Saturday morning I wondered whether the lashing rain would put the kibosh on the afternoon’s match at the Park. To my surprise I learned that the match against Beddau was definitely on so I made my way up the valley through the increasingly large puddles. This was certainly not a day for the Bank so we took our places at the back of the stand and surveyed the dismal conditions with pools of water already gathering on the pitch. The pitch had been deemed playable and the players trooped warily out from the warmth of the changing rooms.

Pontypool kicked off and were playing upstream in the first half. There followed a plague of penalties against the home side that ultimately led to Beddau taking a 0-3 lead with a successful kick at goal by Chatham. Pooler started to get to grips with the treacherous conditions underfoot and a lovely pop pass from Meek put fellow centre Mahoney into space. The defence floundered and almost foundered as he sped over the goal line for the opening try. The conversion was good and Pooler had taken the lead at 7-3.

Pontypool continued to win the territorial battle as both sides kicked the ball in the hope of inducing a mistake from their opponents. Such a mistake by Beddau early in the second quarter, led to a scrum close to their try line. Pooler gained possession and Meek was put through on the burst to score under the posts. The conversion increased Pooler’s lead to 14-3.

Beddau enjoyed a period of possession and territory and hammered away at the Pontypool line but the home defence was in Ebenezer Scrooge mode and were not about to let the visitors score a try. In the end, Beddau had to settle for a penalty from Chatham which brought the scoring in the first half to a close. At half time, Pooler held a 14-6 lead but did look to be the dominant force especially as they would have benefit of playing downstream in the second half.

The rain kept teeming down and the pitch was looking more like a paddy field than a rugby field as the second half got under way. Beddau suffered an early blow when they were left shorthanded by a yellow card for one of their locks. Pontypool really started to get a stranglehold on the match and Beddau found it increasingly difficult to get out of their own half. Strong pressure from the home pack led to a try for Coundley under the posts and with the conversion Beddau had been cast adrift at 21-6.

The Pontypool handling under dreadful conditions was inspired at times, Sparks and Hughes combined to put Herbert in the clear. The flanker did not quite make it to the line but was able to offload to the supporting Luckwell who touched down for the bonus point try increasing Pooler’s lead to 26-6.

A few minutes later, Hughes who had a strong game was again prominent in a break that culminated in Thomas scooting over the line for Pooler’s fifth try. The conversion was successful and Beddau were looking pretty dejected with the score now 33-6 in Pooler’s favour.

Seconds later, Thomas had the ball on the left wing and with a pass that would not have looked out of place for a Fijian sevens player put Mahoney away. Mahoney galloped in from half way leaving what looked like a wake behind him. The conversion was gain successful and Pooler were now 40-6 ahead.

Not long afterwards, the awful conditions led to a series of defensive errors by the away side led to the ball going loose. Substitute Watson-Boycott was the beneficiary as he touched down for Pontypool’s seventh try of the afternoon which went unconverted (45-6).

It came as a great relief to the Beddau players when the referee blew the final whistle a little early. They had been swimming against the tide for virtually all of the second half. Final score: Pontypool 45 Beddau 6.

Well I got my fix of Pooler rugby but the match was played in really dreadful conditions. I am sure if the kick off had been scheduled an hour later it would not have taken place. Pontypool showed a tremendous ability to adapt to the elements and were worthy winners. Some of their handling was outstanding when you consider that the rain had been teeming down for hour after hour. Well played everyone.

The Welsh regions’ hopes of progress in the European Champions Cup have now been extinguished with further losses for both Scarlets and Cardiff Blues. The Dragons are surely out of the Challenge Cup after conceding another hatful of points. The Ospreys are still in contention but also lost, albeit narrowly, in France. The depth of the squads that the Welsh regions have do not look competitive when measured against the redoubtable Irish who seem to be setting the standard.

On Friday night, I did watch quite a bit of Merthyr v. Cardiff in the Premiership and have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. The standard was high and the Cardiff backs were particularly impressive. There did seem to be quite a few Blues’ academy players in the Cardiff team and it set me wondering about what happened to the age group regional teams that we heard so much about. The results must have passed me by somewhere along the line. Have they finished playing? Who won?

“Play off watch” shows Cross Keys now occupying fifth from bottom place in the Premiership. Hapless Neath looked doomed from the Premiership whether it is on or off the field. The other relegation places continue to be a dogfight between the Gwent three: Bedwas, Cross Keys and Bargoed and the former “giants”:  Llanelli, Bridgend and Swansea. We continue to monitor the situation with great interest.

Next week Pontypool visit their longstanding foes at Newbridge. No matter what the league positions are this is always a tough and uncompromising fixture. I don’t expect this one to be any different.

Come on Pooler!