Pontypool
took on bottom club Rhydyfelin in their penultimate league game of the season
in an evening kick-off at Pontypool Park. Conditions were perfect for rugby
with a cloudless sky and a gentle breeze blowing down the valley and the pitch
in excellent condition.
Pontypool
played up the slope in the first half and the brightest thing on view for the
next forty minutes or so was their fetching blue jerseys. The first half was
eminently forgettable as both sides struggled to put much meaningful rugby
together. Somehow they contrived to score a converted try apiece with Drake for
Pontypool and Briggs from Rhydyfelin managing to cross the line. Both tries
came after a series of forward drives interspersed with penalties, lineouts and
scrums. Hughes from Pontypool was shown a yellow card during the away side’s
protracted build-up to their try. Pontypool’s frustration with themselves,
Rhydyfelin and the referee was evident and the half ended with a fracas which resulted
in Hodge from Pontypool and Briggs being shown yellow cards. I think everyone
was glad when the referee blew the whistle for the interval with the score s
level at 7-7. Pontypool trooped off to the changing room expecting some words
of encouragement while the away side stayed out on the field.
Whatever
was said in the changing room certainly galvanised the Pooler players. They
started the second half with far more energy and purpose than they had shown in
the whole of the first period. For the first ten minutes or so, they completely
blitzed Rhydyfelin with some scintillating rugby. The backs were given good
quick ball and they showed what they could do. It was all about running lines
and doing things at pace. First Mahoney burst through the away defence and finished
with a neat side step to score near the posts. Lewis converted and Pooler moved
into a 14-7 lead. A couple of minutes later in was Marcus Jones on the burst
who split the defence to score his second try in as many games for Pontypool. The
try was again converted by Lewis and Pooler were pulling well clear at 21-7.
Mahoney registered his second try as he found yet another gap in the Rhydyfelin
defence to score the bonus point try. The try was converted and Pontypool were
now to all intents and purposes out of sight at 28-7.
There was
a lull in proceedings as the teams drew breath and the substitutions were made.
Rhydyfelin were reduced to fourteen men when Jones from received a yellow card
for a deliberate knock-on and Pontypool continued to dominate. Marcus Jones had
started on the wing for Pontypool but now found himself playing flanker as part
of Pooler’s reorganisation but this didn’t worry him one bit. As the match went into the
final quarter, a driving lineout by the home side saw him touch down for his
second try. This was again converted by Lewis and the scoreboard moved on to
35-7.
Rhydyfelin
did launch a few attacks but all to no avail as the Pontypool rock solid
defence was not about to let in another try. It was left to Pontypool to round
matters off with their sixth try. Substitute lock Sparks made a strong burst
into the Rhydyfelin twenty two. An adept off-load to Watson-Boycott saw the
number eight gallop over under the posts. Gullis popped over the conversion and
Pontypool were 42-7 to the good. Shortly afterwards the referee’s whistle
brought the game to an end and the Pontypool faithful had already put the
dismal first half at the back of their minds as they celebrated a vibrant
second half.
Pontypool
looked lethargic in the first forty minutes but put things right after half
time with some excellent rugby. There is just one league game remaining which
is the home game against Trebanos on Saturday. This is the last serious rugby
before the all-important promotion play-off and Pontypool will want to sign off
their league programme with a good performance and maintain their unbeaten
record.
A bonus
point win for Bridgend against Cross Keys last night makes it look even more
likely that the play-off opposition will be Llanelli although it is still not
done deal.
Come on
Pooler!
No comments:
Post a Comment