The Comeback Kings

Well, here were Pooler back in Bargoed facing another mighty challenge. This time it was a crunch league match rather than a cup tie. This was the third time the sides have met this season with Pooler winning the previous two after staging breathtaking comebacks after conceding early points. This match was vitally important for both as the two sides were slugging it out at the top of the Championship along with Neath with, as far as we know, only two promotion slots available. A victory for Pooler would put them in the box seat although there is still a lot of rugby to be played.

After a week of heavy rainfall, we were blessed with a warm sunny day and a pitch in decent condition. Bargoed kicked off and played down the slope with a breeze behind them in the first half and it was immediately clear that they were highly motivated and intent on ending Pooler’s unbeaten run. They applied all the early pressure as Pooler struggled to get going. Bargoed spurned a kickable penalty and set up a lineout close to the Pontypool line. Their ensuing lineout drive was compact and powerful and hooker Langley touched down for a try. Jones converted and the home side had a deserved 7-0 lead.

Pooler responded by putting together their first meaningful attack which was repelled just short or the line by strong defence and Bargoed marched back down the field. Around a quarter of hour into the match a clever kick pass from Jones was caught by the Bargoed right wing Evans and he touched down in the right corner. Jones converted and Bargoed were good value for their 14-0 lead. This, of course, was a repeat of what had happened in the previous encounters where Pooler had come on strong in the second half. For comfort I remembered the tale of the hare and the tortoise but I have to say Bargoed were well on top as the first quarter ended and Pooler were conceding far too many penalties to respond in a meaningful way.

Things began to look brighter in the second quarter as Pooler stirred their stumps and became more competitive. You sensed that the next score was going to be vitally important. The next score came just short of the half hour and it was a try for Pontypool. Good play by the backs saw Powell make ground down the right wing. Smith was on hand to take the scoring pass and touch down in the corner. The conversion from Jarvis was adjudged wide but that was a marginal decision. Still Pooler were back in the game at 14-5.

There was no further scoring in a far more evenly contested remainder of the first half.  It was still all to play for as the teams retired for their half time pep talks.

Bargoed started the stronger in the second half and it only took five minutes or so before Leighton Jones made changes from the bench. On came Scarfe, Jones and Walsh to help Pooler seize the initiative. This seemed to work as Bargoed started to concede penalties and Pontypool gained field position and more possession.

Fifteen minutes into the half, Pooler struck back. They kicked a penalty to the corner and after a powerful lineout drive Sweet touched down for their second try. Jarvis converted and Pooler had closed to two points at 14-12.

Pooler piled on the pressure but were still conceding penalties and the lineout was having problems. They did look the more likely to score but Bargoed were not taking it lying down so it was tense stuff. With around fifteen minutes left in the match, Pooler took the lead. The forwards battered away at the Bargoed line and it was Scarfe, the young Pooler hooker, who claimed the try under the posts. Jarvis converted and Pooler were now in the lead at 14-19.

Bargoed were far from done and a misfiring lineout from Pooler in the home twenty-two led to a Bargoed attack that took play to the other end of the pitch. Pooler defended stoutly despite losing Matthews to a yellow card and somehow managed to repel the Bargoed forward drives when a try seemed inevitable. A penalty against Bargoed gave welcome relief and Pooler rode out the duration of the yellow card.

With a few minutes left, Pooler worked their way into the Bargoed twenty two. A shrewd pass from Langdon picked out Mahoney running a brilliant angle and Mahoney galloped in to score near the posts. Jarvis converted and Pooler had a healthy lead and had secured a bonus point (14-26).

The match ended with Bargoed back on the attack but Pooler were not letting this one slip and managed to deny Bargoed a losing bonus point. Final score Bargoed 12 : Pontypool 26.

This was a tough encounter between two highly motivated teams. The atmosphere was tense and, although the quality was patchy at times, it was a game full of passion. Pooler did exceptionally well to recover from yet another scratchy start and yet again we saw the benefit of the depth of their squad. Pooler are now in a strong position at the top of the league with a sixteen point lead over Bargoed in third place with eight matches to play according to the WRU table. Pooler have now recorded the double over both their leading rivals which is a tremendous feat.

Next Sunday will see Pontypool take on Ystrad Rhondda in the final of the Championship Cup at the Principality Stadium. This is sure to be a fantastic occasion and Ystrad Rhondda will present a formidable challenge. I can’t wait!

Come on Pooler!