There seems to be nothing but bad news about Welsh
rugby at the moment. The situation both on and off the field is a real cause
for concern and you feel that the rugby world looks on in disbelief at the
shambles that has been created. It was therefore with great joy that I felt the
tingle of excitement as I arrived at the Gnoll in Neath yesterday. Here at least
we could get away from the madness and watch a truly competitive match with
something tangible at stake. Unbeaten Pooler were taking on Neath who occupied
second place in the Championship with the winners putting themselves in a
really strong position for securing promotion and winning the title.
It was like old times as the familiar old ground
filled up with expectant and vociferous fans of both persuasions. It was a dull
afternoon with a strong, chill breeze blowing towards the clubhouse end of the
ground. Pontypool kicked off with first use of the breeze and within a minute
or so Neath wing Griffiths made a dangerous tackle on Walsh from Pontypool and
received a yellow card. A rather drunken ball flight from the penalty kick from
Jarvis just made it over the bar and it was 0-3 before anyone had time to draw
breath.
Pontypool did most of the early attacking and a few
minutes later doubled their lead with another penalty from Jarvis (0-6). Pooler
continued to press hard on the Neath line as they quickly gained the
ascendancy. They were perhaps a little too eager and a spilled pass was seized
upon by Neath and gave Neath their first foray into Pooler territory. Pooler
transgressed at a breakdown and Williams kicked the penalty (3-6).
This score seemed to galvanise Neath and Pooler gave away a few penalties as the
pressure told. Neath had a strong driving maul and an impressive lineout and
used both to good effect as they turned the screw. A try seemed inevitable and
it was scored by Neath No 8 Griggs who had made several powerful carries. The
try was converted by Williams and Neath led 10-6 as the first quarter ended.
Pooler responded well and had a valuable weapon in their
scrum which had the edge over the Neath eight. They again forced their way back
up field and were hammering away in the Neath twenty two. Some slick passing from the half backs and
forwards saw a gap created for Lloyd to force his way over the line for a much
needed try for the away team. The try was converted by Jarvis and Pooler were
back in front at 10-13.
With the breeze at their backs in the first half, you
really felt that Pontypool needed to build a bigger cushion before the teams
changed ends. They pressed hard but time was running out as they pinned Neath
back into their own twenty two. Their cause was assisted by a yellow card for ex
Welsh international Aled Brew from Neath for an offence at a breakdown near the
Neath line. As time was running out in the first half, Pontypool had a series
of five metre scrums with Neath giving away penalties. The referee finally lost
patience with the home side and awarded a penalty try to Pontypool (10-20) and
that was the last action in a pulsating first half.
Pontypool had built a ten point lead but the half time
debate in the stand was about whether it was sufficient with Pooler facing the
breeze in the second half. It was going to be a close run thing that was for
sure.
As you might expect, Neath came out of the changing
rooms with fire in their bellies and were quickly on the attack. Pooler found
it difficult to clear their lines against the wind and soon lost Lloyd to a
yellow card for transgressing at a ruck. Neath took full advantage of this and Brew
showed his power to surge over the line for a try that was converted by
Williams. It was 17-20 with half an hour left and Pooler needed to respond.
The response came quickly as Pooler club captain
Matthews entered the fray from the bench. Within minutes of his arrival he forced
his way over for a vital try for Pooler after strong work from the pack. The conversion
failed but the away side had a two score lead at 17-25 but it was still very
much all to play for.
The next fifteen minutes were scoreless but the rugby
was intense with the Pontypool defence having to work hard to keep Neath out.
Both teams emptied their benches as the battle continued. Now and then Pooler
broke out and threatened to score but it was Neath with the breeze at their
backs who had the lion’s share of territory.
Pontypool were giving away penalties at the breakdown and
this was giving Neath opportunities but desperate defence from Pooler kept them
at bay. The clock seemed to be moving incredibly slowly for the anxious Pooler
fans but finally we got to the last few minutes of normal time. Neath were awarded
a penalty and knowing that they had to score twice went for goal but the
attempt went wide. Moments later they had another shot at goal and this time
Harris converted (20-25).
Virtually from the kick-off Herbert forced a turnover
at a ruck in front of the Neath posts. To the great relief of the Pooler fans,
Jarvis made no mistake from the tee and the vital eight point lead was restored
(20-28).
We were in time added on now but there was still time
for Neath to be awarded another penalty at a breakdown in the Pooler half and to
make matters worse Lewis was given a yellow card. Harris thumped the ball over
and Pooler’s lead had been trimmed to five points again (23-28).
The referee still found some time to keep the game
going and Neath threw caution to the winds and attacked from deep in their
twenty two. The Pooler defence was not about to let this game slip from their
grasp and held firm. Final score Neath 23 : Pontypool 28.
Wow what a game! On balance I think Pooler did enough
to deserve to win but will rue a few scoring chances that went begging and a
high penalty count. Neath were everything we expected and gave Pooler their
toughest test of the season. It was a game that was surely Premiership standard
in front of a good crowd. It would be a crying shame if these two teams do not
gain promotion. They will meet again in a few weeks in the semi-final of the
Championship Cup – another spikey encounter for sure!
Next up for Pontypool is Trebanos away on March 4th
which starts a run of away fixtures. The Championship race is far from over but
Pooler are in the box seat but there is certainly no room for complacency.
Next Saturday Wales may or may not take on England at
the Principality Stadium. That it has got to the stage that the players are driven
towards strike action is quite frankly ridiculous. For pity’s sake we need to
find a solution and quickly. As Canned Heat would have it, “Let’s Work Together”.
Well done Pooler on a fantastic performance!
Come on Wales sort things out!
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