Pooler Stay Top, Wales Flop

Pontypool entertained Narberth at Pontypool Park and needed a win to increase their narrow lead over Neath at the top of the Championship. Despite the attraction of the Ireland v France match on the TV, a decent crowd gathered on a grey February afternoon.

Proceedings commenced with a well-deserved tribute by Peter Jeffreys to Tony “Charlie” Faulkner who had passed away during the week. Charlie was one of Pooler’s stalwarts during the golden years and formed part of the famed Pontypool Front Row who played so successfully for Wales en bloc. Charlie was one of life’s great characters as well as being a top class rugby player and he will be sorely missed. My condolences to the family. RIP Charlie.

Pontypool chose to play up the slope and against a breeze in the first half and started strongly. Within a few minutes, they were hammering away at the Narberth line. After the forwards had had their say, the ball was moved left for Smith to touch down in the corner. A difficult conversion slid wide but it was first blood to Pooler (5-0).

After this early reverse, Narberth showed why they are near the top of the league and more than matched Pooler. Their kicking game used the wind cleverly and pinned Pooler back whenever the home team attacked. Pooler again conceded too many penalties and, just before the end of the first quarter, Gale took advantage of one with a successful kick at goal (5-3).

As we moved into the second quarter, Pooler ran the ball from their own line. They were guilty of trying to over play and the ball went loose. Narberth scrum half Thomas scooped up the ball and sped over for a try. Gale converted and Narberth held a five point lead (5-10).

Pontypool were finding it hard going against lively opposition but responded well. A line break from Price was supported by Lewis who powered over for a much needed try. The successful conversion from Jarvis put Pooler back in the lead (12-10).

Pooler continued to leak penalties and Gale made them pay. Two more successful penalty kicks put Narberth 12-16 in the lead with time running out in the first half. Pontypool bounced back again and worked their way up to the Narberth line. All of a sudden, the Narberth defence parted like the Red Sea did for Moses and Jarvis strolled through for a try under the posts that he converted himself. Pooler were back in the lead at 19-16 but were far from comfortable as they retired to the changing room for the half time break.

Pontypool had the benefit of the slope and the breeze in the second half but knew they had to raise their game to overcome a doughty Narberth team. Within five minutes, they had secured the bonus point with their fourth try. This time it was Matthews who powered over from short range and, with the conversion from Jarvis, Pooler had a bit of breathing space at 26-16.

Ten minutes later Herbert was in support of some great work by the backs to score Pooler’s fifth try and with the conversion increased the home side’s lead further (33-16). Shortly afterwards, there was even more pain for Narberth as a short range Pontypool lineout drive powered over their try line with Price touching down for the try that was again converted by Jarvis (40-16). Worryingly for Pontypool, with the crucial encounter with Neath just a week away, Jarvis limped off with an ankle injury.

Narberth showed their fighting spirit  and hit back with a second try from Thomas that was converted by Gale with about fifteen minutes remaining (40-23). Narberth continued to attack but the Pontypool defence scrambled well to keep them out.

As the match went into the final few minutes, Pontypool went back on the attack as Narberth tired. Some great combined play by forwards and backs gave Nove the hint of a gap and he needed no second invitation to touch down. Langdon converted and any hope of a Narberth comeback was quashed (47-23). To make matters worse there was a yellow card for Jones from Narberth.

With the last play of the match, Pooler attacked from deep in their half. A kick ahead from Powell bounced awkwardly for the defence and Powell was on hand to gather and score Pooler’s eighth try. The conversion from Langdon brought up the half century and marked the end of the match. Final score Pontypool 54 : Narberth 23.

Matches between Pontypool and Narberth are usually high scoring affairs and this was no exception. Narberth gave Pooler as good as they got in the first half but Pooler were able to put the game to bed with a powerful display in the second half. The score line was perhaps a little flattering for Pontypool and to their credit Narberth continued to fight to the end.

Next week Pontypool face the daunting challenge of a trip to the Gnoll and a crunch encounter with Neath. Neath have only lost twice (to Pontypool and to Bargoed both away) and are in second place in the Championship just seven points behind Pontypool. Pooler will need to be at their very best if they are to get a result.

I managed to get home and plonk myself on the couch in time for the Scotland v Wales match from Murrayfield. In retrospect, it would have been better to stay in Pontypool Park and hug a few trees.  Wales ended up at the wrong end of a walloping (35-7) against a rampant Scottish team with Finn Russell in prime form. Much of the pain was of Wales’ own making with far too many turnovers and missed tackles. They did have the better of the first half in terms of possession and territory but contrived to find many different ways of not scoring. The second half, however, was all Scotland with Russell pulling the strings and I was mighty glad when the final whistle blew to end the pain. Hopefully the young men in the Welsh pack will have learnt from a salutary afternoon and be the better for it.

I am not sure where Wales go from here with the home match against England only a couple of weeks  away. Gatland and co have some deep thinking to do if they are to turn the sorry bunch that trooped off the field into a fighting force. Finding the right blend of youth and experience is proving immensely difficult. Welsh rugby is in a sorry state at the moment.

In Dublin the Irish triumphed over the French in what appears to be a high-octane clash. So, it will be Scotland taking on Ireland for the Triple Crown. The Irish do look unstoppable but with the Scots in this mood you never know.

I am really glad that I can still watch club rugby in the Championship and matches like the one next Saturday when Pontypool take on Neath. Please Mr. Walker do not remove the prospect of promotion from Championship to Premiership.

Come on Pooler!