Back Where We Belong

Well, this is it, Pontypool are finally back in the Premiership and what a place to kick off their campaign. None other than at Rodney parade against their long-time foes Newport. The pitch looked like a green carpet on a warm late summer afternoon and the TV cameras were in attendance. A large, vociferous crowd had gathered to cheer their teams on and generated a tremendous atmosphere. The big question was could Pooler step up to Premiership quality. Their warm up games against Premiership opposition had demonstrated that it would not be easy.

The first task of the afternoon was a sad one. David Watkins one of Newport favourite sons had passed away and when the tribute was read out you realised just what a great player and ambassador for both codes of rugby he had been. I distinctly remember him dancing around everyone at the Snelling Sevens. My condolences to his family.

So, to the match. Pooler really could not have got off to a worse start - a loose pass after a period of possession found its way into the hands of Lloyd Lewis. His ex-team mates knew what was inevitably going to happen next as the former Pooler flier sped down the right wing to score. The conversion missed but it was first blood to Newport (5-0).

Undeterred, Pooler hit back with a penalty from Jarvis when the home side transgressed at a ruck (3-5). This was quickly followed by a try from Pooler right wing Rosser who won the race for a shrewd kick ahead from scrum half Lloyd. Jarvis converted from wideout and Pooler had snatched the lead at 5-10.

The lead was to be short lived as a well-conceived backs move for Newport put Lloyd Lewis in the clear and he galloped over for his second try. This time O’Brien converted and now Newport led 12-10.

As a frenetic first quarter came to an end, Pooler moved the scoreboard on again when a quick tap penalty from live-wire Pooler scrum half Lloyd near the Newport line led to Mahoney crashing over for a try. Jarvis converted and Pooler had regained the lead at 12-17. Wow, what a twenty minutes of rugby that was!

On the half hour, Jarvis increased Pooler’s lead with another penalty and opened up an eight point gap at 12-20. A feature of the first half an hour had been a lack of scrums which had suited Pooler well. In the last ten minutes of the half there were some scrums and Newport latched on to what was to prove an Achilles heel for the away side. A series of scrum penalties transformed the game as Newport won field position and possession. Their well-organised and powerful pack did the rest and led to Newport scoring three tries in the last few minutes of the half. Short range tries from Davies and Roach and a try in the corner for Westwood were all converted by O’Brien. Pooler’s lead dissolved and Newport were disappearing out of sight at 20-33.

Pooler needed to up their game in the second half and a new front row helped to bring some temporary solidity to the scrum. Pooler attacked from the outset but found the home defence difficult to breach. Newport, however, were forced to give away a series of penalties that led to a yellow card for Jenkins. This gave Pooler their chance and Cochrane finally barged over for a much-needed try that was converted by Jarvis. Pooler felt that they had a sniff of victory at 27-33 with twenty minutes or so remaining.

Newport managed to break the Pooler stranglehold and with the help of a penalty were back in Pooler territory. Westwood bagged his second try from close range after a driven lineout. The conversion failed but the score had effectively ended Pooler’s chances of a win (38-27).

Pooler tried hard to salvage a bonus point or two and spent the rest of the game on the attack. Even with a second yellow card for Jenkins they could not find a way through the Newport defence. Final score Newport 38 : Pontypool 27.

Wow, what a game that was. Well done to both sides with Newport deserving their victory by scoring six tries to three. It was thoroughly enjoyable if a little disappointing for Pooler who deserved to get something out of the game. Pontypool clearly showed that they can compete at Premiership level but will know that there is considerable room for improvement. They will need to work on the set pieces which proved an area of vulnerability. There is no shortage of effort and team spirit that is for sure with Pooler never giving up and still going strong at the end despite the warmth of the afternoon. We “won” the second half anyway! Well done Pooler!

Next up for Pontypool are Swansea at Pontypool next Saturday. This is great it is just going back in time to the great days of Welsh club rugby!

Next weekend also sees the start of the Rugby World Cup. Wales have what may be their toughest match first up when they take on Fiji. A loss will probably leave them having to beat Australia to get out of the group. This is going to need a special performance from Wales and they are quite capable of doing it I am sure.

Come on Wales!

Come on Pooler!