Pooler Draw Another Blank

Another Saturday goes by without a Pontypool match as Covid strikes again. If there is a bright side, we will perhaps actually get to see the match against Cardiff Met at a later date. The already much shortened season appears to be fizzling out with a raft of postponements throughout Welsh rugby. Those who still have coffers will see them emptying as the financial toll continues.

More armchair rugby then. Fortunately, there was some full blooded and full crowded rugby to watch from the English Premiership with two cracking games: Bristol Bears v Sale Sharks and Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs. I enjoyed both and it made you realise just what we are missing. Both games were actually played on grass and there was genuine mud on the shirts too. Two narrow home wins if you are interested. From a Welsh perspective, Dan Thomas and Ioan Lloyd both shone for the Bears.

On Saturday afternoon I had intended watching Edinburgh v Cardiff Rugby but quickly realised that Edinburgh were going to be too sharp and too strong with a couple of tries for the Scots in the first few minutes. I resorted to the occasional flick of the remote to see how things were progressing as I shifted my attention to the Stoop. It was a similar story in Glasgow later on as the Ospreys fell short against the home side. Both of the games from Scotland were in silent stadiums on plastic pitches and felt cold and anodyne. The Scots do look strong and play some good rugby which does look promising for their Six Nations campaign. No comfort there then.

The debate rages in Wales about the Six Nations and whether spectators will be allowed in the Principality Stadium. There is not long to go now so decisions have to be made soonest. Moving Wales’ home games to England has been mooted. This really would be a nonsense if busloads of Welsh supporters headed off to full grounds in England while even more of their compatriots crowded round TVs and big screens back in the clubs and pubs of Wales.

This week we also got the chance to watch “Slammed” where we allowed to rake over past events in Welsh rugby. It was a real case of feast or famine with wooden spoons and grand slams and a revolving door for the coaches. I don’t think that I learned very much from the three episodes but it really did bring home that, with a small talent pool to pick players from, you need good, firm management to get sometimes startling results. Momentum be it positive or negative is pretty damn powerful. The relative stability of the Gatland era is over and we need to be careful that we don’t return to short termism.

The next match for Pooler is home to Glamorgan Wanderers and is scheduled for the 22^nd January. I guess it is unlikely that more than fifty spectators will be allowed in. Perhaps we should have a shift system so everyone gets a chance to have a few minutes proper rugby or maybe we can all just take a walk in the Park.

Come on Pooler!