Stunning Pooler Comeback After Early Bargoed Storm

A goodly crowd gathered at Pontypool Park for a top of the table Championship clash between Pontypool and old rivals Bargoed. Conditions were absolutely perfect with hardly a breath of wind and the pitch in great condition on a dry, unseasonably warm, November afternoon. This was a match that Pontypool really couldn’t afford to lose if they were to keep their promotion hopes on course. Bargoed knew that a win at Pontypool would bolster their hopes of promotion significantly. Yes, this match meant a lot to both sides.

Pontypool played up the slope in the first half and were immediately put under pressure by a Bargoed side bristling with intent. Bargoed took an early lead with a penalty from Jones (0-3) and for the rest of the first quarter they were in complete control. True Pontypool did not help themselves with an indifferent kicking game and a heap of scrum penalties but Bargoed played some brilliant rugby.

After ten minutes, Rice scored a cracking try after the away team broke out from their own twenty two. Jones converted from the touchline with an excellent kick (0-10). Not long afterwards Bargoed scored a second try when their backs broke through for Williams to score in the left corner. The try was again expertly converted by Jones and things were looking bleak for Pooler with Bargoed building a substantial lead (0-17). Things got worse when Pooler were penalised at a ruck and Jones added another three points. Pontypool were 0-20 down and not at the races as the first quarter ended

Pontypool were fluffing their lines and needed to find some inspiration from somewhere or they were in danger of being blown away by a rampant Bargoed side. The inspiration came from right wing Rosser who made an excellent break down the touchline and found Lewis in support and he touched down for some much needed relief for Pooler. Jarvis converted and thing looked a little less bleak and the shellshocked home fans began to find their voices (7-20).

The Pontypool scrum had been under a lot of pressure and had been a source of penalties for Bargoed. Fortunately, the number of scrums dropped significantly in the second quarter and Pooler were able to get a toehold in a game that looked like it was slipping away from them. A Jarvis penalty closed the gap further with five minutes to go before halftime (10-20).

Pooler were desperate to get some more points before the break and they were rewarded with a great try. The Pontypool backs moved the ball left and created just enough for Smith to score in the left corner. Another brilliant conversion from Jarvis and the gap was now only three points as the half time whistle was blown (17-20).

This had been a fantastic comeback from Pooler when the game had been looking to be slipping away from then. It was now anyone’s game but Pooler had built up momentum. This really was a cracking match so we were sure to be in for thrills and spills in the second half.

Pooler took first blood early in the second half with a Jarvis penalty that brought the sores level (20-20). This did not last long as, a couple of minutes later, Bargoed came roaring back with a try when flanker Davies was found lurking on the left wing by some slick passing.  Davies powered over in the left corner and Jones converted and Bargoed were back in the lead (20-27).

It was now Pooler’s turn to apply the pressure and they started to look more like their normal selves. They worked their way deep into the Bargoed twenty two and set up a series of forward drives. The referee adjudged that Bargoed had prevented a try being scored by foul play and had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try and a yellow card for Johnson. We were all square again at 27-27 with a quarter of the match to go.

Pontypool continued to be in the ascendancy but Bargoed always looked dangerous. The benches were emptied and it was Pooler who seemed to benefit most. Their scrum now more than held its own and they kept pressing and with seven minutes to go they got their reward. The backs moved the ball left after a lineout and a brilliant miss pass gave Smith just enough space to score a try in the left corner. The conversion from Jarvis hit the very top of the left hand post but it was adjudged to have missed. Pontypool had taken the lead for the first time and secured a bonus point (32-27).

With a few minutes to go Pooler were awarded a penalty that would surely have put the game beyond Bargoed’s reach. Agonisingly, the ball hit the post and stayed out and we were in for a tense finish.

Before we knew it Bargoed were camped on the Pooler line as they strove to snatch the game at the last. Somehow Pooler managed to get possession and send Rosser scurrying down the right wing. The Bargoed defence just about managed to prevent a try but were forced to drop out from their own line. Pooler attacked again and with the last play of the match Pooler prop Kelleher-Griffiths plunged over near the posts. Jarvis converted and an epic encounter came to an end with the final score Pontypool 39 : Bargoed 27.

What a brilliant game of rugby with the result in doubt right to the end.  Both sides gave everything in a game that had everything and was played in a good spirit. This was how rugby was meant to be! It was hard luck on Bargoed to leave with no points but it has certainly improved Pooler’s league position. Bargoed will no doubt look forward to their chance to exact revenge on their own patch. They will have two chances with the league game plus a cup tie.

Congratulations to Pontypool for a brilliant comeback. The next game will be at Bedwas in three weeks’ time. So, another local derby to look forward to.

Wales played Argentina in the evening and managed to hang on for a 20-13 win. They did play much better than the previous Saturday but the opposition was not so formidable. It was sad to see them playing so negatively towards the end as they tried to cling on to their lead. It would have been nice if they had run some of the ball that was kicked to them rather than kick it back. Still, I suppose they were desperate for a win against a team that had, after all, beaten England the previous weekend. It is telling that the accolades are given to players who make the most tackles these days.

Congratulations to Italy who beat Australia after beating Samoa the previous week. They will be a handful in the Six Nations I think.

Next week Wales face the tough and uncompromising Georgians. Too many changes might lead to an upset.

Well done Pooler!

Come on Wales!