Pooler Corralled by the Drovers

“It’s a long way to Llandovery, it’s a long way to go,” was running through my head as we made our way across the Bannau Brycheiniog to our destination. The magnificent scenery  was enough to lift our hearts on our way for a match against the reigning Premiership champions Llandovery. This was likely to be Pooler’s toughest match of the season – could they pull off a surprise win?

A large and lively contingent of the Pooler Army had made the trip and made the match into a real occasion. The weather was dry which was a blessing after all the rain of the preceding few days but it did mean that the pitch was slippery.

Right from the kick-off, Pooler saw what they were up against as Llandovery tore into them at pace. The Drovers’ backs looked mightily difficult to contain with dangerous runners and well-worked running angles. Pooler were lucky to just get away with conceding just three points through a Hughes penalty in the opening salvo (3-0).

Pooler had the chance to draw level with a missed shot at goal and then the home side were back on the attack. An astute kick ahead and a favourable bounce led to a try by Rees that was converted by Hughes and Pooler were 10-0 down with ten minutes or so played.

Being down so early in the match does note seem to faze Pooler these days and they worked their way back into the game. Pooler had at least parity in the forward exchanges in loose play with Matthews to the fore. At the set piece the lineout and scrum creaked a little and were  a source of some frustration. It was Matthews who brought Pooler back into the match after a penalty had given them field position. The forwards drove for the line and eventually the pressure told as the skipper powered over from a scrum five (10-7).

Whilst the two packs of forwards were battling away, the Drovers backs always looked dangerous and kicking the ball to the back three was fraught with risk. On the half hour, the Pooler defence was split asunder for Doel to score and Hughes to convert (20-7).

Pooler responded well and a scrum penalty gave them the field position they craved with the game clock showing 38 minutes played. The lineout was driven and Sweet forced his way over for a try that Jarvis converted (20-14). Just as we were thinking that a six point deficit at halftime would not be too bad, Llandovery attacked at pace again. Moments later a penalty try had been awarded to the home side for a deliberate knock-on (27-14). Fortunately for Pooler the referee did not know the number of the offender so no yellow card was shown. The concession of the seven points could not have come at a worse time and was a turning point in the game. Thirteen points down at halftime was indeed a mountain for Pooler to climb against such a dangerous team as Llandovery

The second half was evenly contested with a lot of tactical kicking and plenty of stern defence and both sides guilty of handling errors. There was no scoring in the third quarter at all in stark contrast to the first half. Hughes added another penalty at the start of the final quarter to put the home side more than two scores clear at 30-14. The benches were emptied and Pooler started to have their best period of the game as they forced turnovers and went on the attack. It was nothing more than they deserved when debutant Owain Davies, who had come on as a replacement fullback, went over for a try that Jarvis converted (30-21).

There was still a quarter of an hour to go and another try for Pooler could make things interesting and earn them a couple of bonus points. Hard as Pooler tried, they came up against stern opposition who were not champions for nothing. As the away side threw caution to the winds, it inevitably gave opportunities for the Drovers to put the match to bed. This they duly did with the last play of the game when Davies touched down and Hughes converted. Final score Llandovery 37 : Pontypool 21.

Llandovery deservedly won the match with some of their back play outstanding. Pooler never stopped trying and made the Champions work hard for their victory. It was a bit unlucky for Pooler to come away with nothing having put so much into the game. The final score was perhaps a bit flattering for Llandovery. It was a pleasure to visit such a well-run and friendly club who made us feel very welcome.

I am sure the match will be a valuable learning experience for the Pontypool squad as they prepare for next week’s home match against Neath.

Come on Pooler!