Newport Hold the Aces

It was fantastic to see such a large crowd gathering at Pontypool Park with Xmas fast approaching. The attraction was the visit of Pooler’s arch foes Newport one of the in-form teams in the Premiership. There was plenty of black and amber on view as the Newport fans mingled with the Pooler Army.  The team sheets revealed more than a smattering of Dragons’ experience in the Newport line-up so this was likely to be a tough examination for Pooler.

Pooler played down the slope in the first half and had the assistance of a swirling wind on a rather slippery surface. Rather like in recent defeats at Llandovery and Bridgend, the pace of the Newport backs seemed to stun Pooler as they apparently seemed to breach the home defence with ease. Within ten minutes, exhilarating back play from Newport had put them two converted tries to the good as O’Brien and Morris touched down with the Pooler defence left in their wake. O’Brien converted both tries making light of the tricky wind (0-14).

Pooler needed to respond and did so immediately. Scarfe charged down an attempted clearing kick by Newport from the restart and Lewis was on hand to grab the ball and score a much needed try for the home side. The conversion attempt by Jarvis missed narrowly but Pooler were back in the hunt at 5-14.

Only minutes later, Newport were on the attack again and only last ditch defence kept them out. Pooler however transgressed at an ensuing ruck and O’Brien slotted the penalty to increase the Newport lead to 5-17.

The Pontypool pack was giving their counterparts plenty to think about with an edge in the scrums and the lineout functioning better than it has all season. The battle at the breakdown was fiercely contested with more often than not the referee having the final say. The Newport backs were always a threat and half backs Hope and O’Brien classy operators.

On the half hour, Pooler worked their way down field and applied pressure on the Newport line through their forwards. As is so often the case, it was Matthews who showed the way with another try which was converted by Jarvis. Pooler were back within a score at 12-17 and it was game on.

The Newport backs favour flat passes when attacking and this was giving the Pooler defence headaches. As the first half drew to a close, Newport broke through yet again and were given the benefit of the doubt over a pass that the Pooler fans thought marginally forward while the Newport fans thought it flat. The upshot was that with some excellent support play Hope scored Newport’s third try. O’Brien converted with another well-judged kick and Pooler trooped off the field for the half time break trailing 12-24.

In the second half, Newport had the benefit of the slope and some help from the wind. The Newport half backs Hope and O’Brien rather took charge of the game with their astute tactical kicking. The first quarter of an hour was scoreless as Pooler with plenty of possession tried to make an impression on a well-organised Newport defence. Try as they might they could not get the vital score that would bring the home side back into the game.

Newport were awarded a penalty near touch on the Pooler ten metre line and, just when everyone thought it was going to be a kick for touch, they opted for a clever diagonal kick to the open pastures where only the two opposing wings were to be seen. Price for Pooler got to the ball first but unfortunately slipped as he was about to gather the ball. This left the way clear for Andrew to pick up the ball and canter in for a try. O’Brien converted and Newport were well clear at 12-31 and had secured a bonus point.

In the fourth quarter we had the usual mass substitutions with Pooler welcoming debutants Hill and Morris to bolster the efforts of the pack. The probing kicks from the Newport half backs were still causing Pooler plenty of grief. In the sixty fifth minute, it was Pooler fullback Bancroft who found himself engulfed by the Newport kick chase. The ball went loose and Newport centre Morris grabbed to score his second try. The conversion failed but Newport were out of sight at 12-36.

Pontypool did most of the attacking from then on as the went after they tried to salvage some pride. The forwards drove powerfully with Morris showing up particularly well with his bullocking runs. It was just reward for their efforts when Hill forced his way over for a try after Pooler had hammered away at the Newport line. Jarvis converted and the gap closed to 19-36 with ten minutes or so remaining.

Pooler went in search of a bonus point try but could not penetrate the Newport defence. Newport still looked dangerous on the break but seemed more than content to absorb Pooler’s attacks. In the end, a reasonably comfortable victory for the visitors. Final score Pontypool 19 : Newport 36.

Newport ran out deserved winners of this local derby. While the forward battle finished with honours even, behind the scrum Newport held all the aces. At times Pooler did look a little rusty after their three-week layoff. There is no disgrace in losing to Newport who are one of the top sides in the Premiership and to their credit Pooler never gave up trying.

Next week Pooler travel to Swansea who will be looking to avenge their defeat at Pontypool earlier in the season.

Come on Pooler!