Mud and Guts

Pontypool’s visit to Cross Keys in the second round of the National Cup was important to them in a number of ways. Of course it was important to get through to the quarter finals of the cup and to get one over on their local rivals, but this was also a chance to measure themselves against Premiership opposition. It is more than likely that Cross Keys will finish the season in the bottom half of the Premiership and might even occupy the play-off position. Pontypool are looking favourites to clinch the Championship and take the other place in the play off. Yes, this was a chance for Pooler to put a marker down. Two years ago Cross Keys gave Pontypool a bit of a lesson in how to play in difficult conditions in a Cup tie – could Pooler exact revenge?

The weather was foul with a strong wind and heavy rain and although the pitch looked reasonable before the kick-off it was surely going to deteriorate rapidly as had happened before in our many visits to Pandy Park over the years. Pontypool kicked off playing into the wind and into the driving rain which seemed to get even heavier as the match started. In a classic wind affected game, Pooler would try and restrict Cross Keys’ scoring in the first half and capitalise on the tail wind in the second half.

The pitch began to cut up almost right from the start and soon the players were covered in mud. This is a comparative rarity these days as the quality of pitches has improved but in the past it was quite normal. With the wind behind them, the home side were able to kick the ball sixty yards whilst against it twenty yards was just about possible. These were very difficult conditions indeed and were surely only going to get worse.

A few minutes into the game, Cross Keys opened the scoring when Botica converted a penalty given against Pontypool for a high tackle (3-0). This was clearly going to be a very tough match as the players thundered into each other trying to gain a physical edge. Pontypool were certainly a match for Cross Keys in this department and this encounter would surely go right down to the wire. In such conditions, knock-ons were common place and it was not going to be a try fest that was for sure.

After about quarter of an hour of bruising stalemate, a Cross Keys attack broke down in midfield just outside the Pontypool twenty two. Gullis grabbed the ball and set off down field. A kick and chase followed and it was Luckwell the Pooler scrum half who won the race to claim a try. A wondrous conversion from Meek put Pontypool into the lead at 3-7. Points gained against the elements were like gold dust that was for sure.

The rest of the half apart from a few isolated forays from the away side was dominated territorially by Cross Keys with the wind the main factor. Despite the sinbinning of Coundley, a brave and committed defensive effort by Pontypool managed to repel all that Cross Keys threw at them. Cross Keys finally got some reward for their efforts deep in injury time with their second penalty from Botica for a high tackle. The half time score was Cross Keys 6 Pontypool 7 as the barely recognisable players trooped back to the changing rooms. Pontypool could certainly be well satisfied with their work in the first half and could look forward to having the wind at their backs in the second half. It was going to be tight though as points were not going to be easy to come by.

The rain kept teeming down and puddles of water were gathering on the pitch as the second half kicked off. Pontypool had an early chance to increase their lead with a penalty that would have been comfortable on a dry day but, in the muddy conditions. it was much more difficult and the ball sailed wide. Play was almost exclusively confined to the Cross Keys half and Pontypool pressed strongly. Cross Keys struggled manfully to escape the stranglehold. This was a tough game in atrocious conditions.

After about ten minutes of attrition, the home side looked to have knocked the ball on. Everyone seemed to pause but the referee waved play on and Cross keys took full advantage as they took play to the Pontypool twenty two. Pontypool transgressed and gave away a penalty that Botica duly converted. Cross keys had snatched a lead at 9-7 against the run of play. Pontypool had it all to do.

Pontypool were soon back in the Cross Keys twenty two attacking strongly against a resolute home defence. At the end of the third quarter, Pontypool were awarded another kickable penalty – this time Meek’s attempt hit the post. The Pontypool fans groaned but were soon back in full voice as they urged their team on.

Five minutes later the Pooler Army went into overdrive when a rare passing movement down the three-quarters saw Pooler flyer Lloyd Lewis with a bit of space. Somehow he managed to jink and wriggle and fight his way through the cover defence to score in the corner. The conversion failed but Pooler had retaken the lead at 9-12.

The last fifteen minutes were dominated territorially by Pontypool who looked the more likely to score. Pooler thwarted all the home side’s gallant attempts to break out in ever worsening conditions. Nevertheless, it was with great relief that the Pooler contingent heard the final whistle and were able to celebrate a hard-earned but deserved victory.

As the exhausted but exultant Pontypool team left the field, they looked like they needed to visit a carwash rather than the changing rooms. Every player was covered from head to toe in mud – it had been that kind of game.

This was a marvellous victory for Pontypool in dire conditions and fully atones for their defeat at Pandy Park in 2017. Cross Keys gave everything and were a tough nut to crack that is for sure. The squad now looks far better prepared for life in the Premiership. Let us hope that that ambition can become a reality.

I think everyone in Pontypool is hoping for a home tie in the quarter final. There are strong teams left in the competition but Pooler move forward with confidence. Next week it is back to league action with Bedlinog the visitors to Pontypool Park. There is no room for complacency as all at the club know full well.

Next week also the Six Nations Championship springs into action. Wales have a tough opening match in Paris where you never really know what to expect from the French team. With Halfpenny and Liam Williams injured you would think Jonah Holmes would play fullback but could Gatland choose to move Anscombe there and bring in Biggar at outside half? It looks like Gareth Davies is side-lined through injury – it is a crying shame that Rhys Webb is still in exile. The first selection will be interesting with the Welsh new-found strength in depth giving the selectors a few tough decisions.

The good news is that I have dried out my clothes after the trip to Cross keys and the even better news is that I do not have to wash the Pontypool kit. Well done Pooler and well done the Pooler Army for their fantastic support!

Come on Pooler, come on Wales.

Pontypool Squeeze Home in Cliffhanger

The weather was dreary and damp when we left the motherland of Gwent to head west to Narberth. Strangely as we approached this lively little town the skies brightened and the rain stopped. We had made this journey to see some proper rugby in the raw after the long wait since our beloved Pontypool had slugged it out with Newbridge.

Narberth Otters have long been the western power in the Championship and always featured near the top of the league. Although Pooler have usually recorded comfortable victories at home, it has been a different matter at the Lewis Lloyd Ground in Narberth. Games here have been closely contested affairs and, with Pooler likely to be a bit ring rusty, this promised to be their toughest outing of the season so far. Yes, Pontypool’s unbeaten record was definitely on the line and the Otters would love to be the ones to end it.

Whilst the weather was dry and there was virtually no wind, the pitch was wet and slippery so conditions were sure to dictate tactics. This was clear right from the start as both sides opted for an aerial bombardment through a series of high kicks. Pontypool got off to a great start as, early on, the ball squirted out of a Narberth scrum on their ten metre line. Scrum half, Quick, gathered and fed Lloyd Lewis who showed a tremendous turn of speed to outflank the home defence and score the opening try of the game. The conversion from Matthew Lewis hit the post but Pooler had drawn first blood at 0-5.

Back came Narberth with a barrage of high kicks that won them field position. A missed tackle of two from the Pooler defence and they were threatening to score a try. The referee awarded a penalty at a ruck and Rogers played the advantage with a dropped goal from in front of the posts (3-5).

Although they still kicked a lot of ball away, Pooler were the more willing of the two sides to hold on to the ball and favoured strong carries by the forwards to make progress. When the backs were brought into play the lack of match practice seemed to tell as the coordination was not all it might have been. A handling error by Pooler on the Narberth twenty-two metre line led to a loose ball that Narberth fly hacked down the field. Eventually Gale won the race to the Pontypool line to score the home side’s first try and followed it up by converting it himself. Narberth had taken a five point lead at 10-5.

As a combative first half drew to a close, Pontypool attacked strongly but, even though the Otters were reduced to fourteen men by a yellow card for flanker Rees, they could not manage to score when they seemed to be inches away on a couple of occasions. The referee blew for half time with Pontypool knowing that they had to up the ante in the second half if they were going to overcome a committed and tough home side. HT Narberth 10 Pontypool 5.

Pontypool kicked off in the second half and were full of purpose as the forwards carried strongly into the heart of the Narberth defence. They knew they had to take advantage of their numerical advantage as the clock on the yellow card ran down. They did just that as Herbert took an inside ball ten metres or so from the Narberth line to cross for Pooler’s second try. The conversion attempt again hit the post but Pontypool were back on level terms at 10-10.

Narberth were not about to lie down and continued to give the away defence plenty to think about. Narberth were awarded a long range penalty that Gale expertly converted to retake the lead at 13-10.

Pontypool bounced back with the forwards again prominent and were pounding away in the Narberth twenty two when there was a serious injury to Narberth number eight Phillips. A long delay ensued as he was helped from the field. We wish him well and hope that the injury is not too serious.

On the resumption of play, Pontypool were soon awarded a penalty in front of the posts and Matthew Lewis brought the scores level again an 13-13. This game was going right to the wire and Pooler fans were biting their nails and crossing their fingers for the first time for a long time.

Back came Narberth who were certainly not about to settle for a draw. They took play into the Pontypool half where they come up against an equally committed Pontypool defence. Something had to give and it was Pooler who conceded a penalty for offside in front of their posts. Gale did the necessary and Narberth were back in the lead at 16-13 with the clock ticking inexorably towards full time.

The Pontypool substitutes added a bit more energy and Pontypool pressed strongly in search of the score they so desperately needed. They hammered away at the Narberth line with the forwards again carrying ferociously. Narberth defended as if their lives depended upon it but the incessant pressure proved too much and Matthew Lewis was able to force his way over for a try. The conversion would have given Pooler a bit more breathing space but it sailed narrowly wide. Pontypool had finally got their noses in front at 16-18.

The last few minutes of the game were agonising the Pontypool faithful as Narberth had certainly shown just how resilient they were. In the end, Pontypool managed to hold out without any real alarms but there was a big sigh of relief from the travelling Pooler Army as this was a match that could easily have ended in defeat. Final score Narberth 16 Pontypool 18.

Wow this was a tough game and Pooler showed tremendous spirit and tenacity to win through. They have not had many tougher encounters in the Championship and the win cements their position at the top of the Championship and preserves their unbeaten record. Despite outscoring Narberth by three tries to one the result could so easily have gone the other way. Well done Pooler!

Things do not get easier as next Saturday Pontypool face Premiership opposition as they visit Cross Keys in the National Cup. This is a chance to avenge their defeat of two years ago but this will require Pooler to be at their very best.

There is good news about Pontypool Park where Torfaen Council have taken a more favourable view of Pontypool RFC and their aspirations. Hopefully this will mean that Pooler can stay and grow at their spiritual home. There is still a lot of water to flow under the bridge of course but let us hope that it works out well and the people of Pontypool and Pontypool RFC can live in harmony.

The long trek to Narberth meant that I have not watched much other rugby but the stuff I did watch reminded me just how brutal rugby at the highest level is. It is disappointing as a Welshman to see the dismal performance of the Welsh regions in European competition. Wexit seems much easier to achieve than Brexit that is for sure! It is hard to blame the competitiveness of the Pro 14 when five of the eight quarter final places in the Champions Cup are taken by Irish and Scottish teams. It was not long ago that the Scottish teams were seen as whipping boys – they have certainly done something right! We still wallow in self pity as our competitiveness falls still further. Let us hope that the Welsh national team can make up for the failure of the regions.

In the Welsh Premiership, I did catch a bit of Cardiff v Carmarthen and again was stuck by the meagre crowd – Friday night rugby when the game is on the TV does not seem to be a hit with the fans. Premiership Play-off watch shows Bridgend in twelfth place at the moment but with a game in hand on Cross Keys in eleventh.

My mind is now firmly focused on  next Saturday and Pooler’s visit to Cross Keys.

Come on Pooler!