Home Sweet Home

There was great news about Pontypool Park last week. The long lease means that for the foreseeable future we will get to watch Pontypool’s home matches in one of the finest settings in world rugby. Fantastic!

Unfortunately, Pooler were not in action over the weekend so had to make do with some bits and pieces from the English Premiership and the Pro 14. The gap in the standard of play in the Leicester v Exeter game and the first half of Dragons v Scarlets game was huge. There was passion aplenty in both games but English club rugby, although not pretty to watch, has superior skill levels and more powerful players. From the few highlights I saw from the Ospreys v Cardiff Blues, the general standard of play was equally disappointing. I don’t suppose the two East Wales regions will be too worried as the narrow victories that they achieved are really all that matters after disappointing starts to the season.

All the rugby I watched over the weekend was played in wet conditions which rarely allows attractive rugby even though, at professional level, the pitches are vastly superior to those in the past. Pontypool’s next outing will be at Pandy Park against Cross Keys. Pooler’s last two visits, both in the National Cup, have been mud baths and looking at the weather forecast there could be another one in prospect next Saturday. I will be away for a couple of weeks so will miss this but will be wired in waiting anxiously for the result. I will also be keen to know how Bedwas get on at Bargoed which is also a crucial fixture in the race for the Championship title.

Merry Xmas and a successful New Year to all the Pooler team and the Pooler Army.

Come on Pooler!