Pooler Show Their Resilience

The first thing that I noticed when I arrived at Bridgend Ravens RFC for Pontypool’s second league game of the season was the pitch. It looked like a well-manicured lawn and a far cry from the pitch when the Osprey’s played on it last season when it was in dreadful condition. Playing conditions were perfect with a warm dry afternoon with little wind. It had certainly not looked like this was going to be in the case as it poured down with rain only hours before.

Pooler kicked off and, before we could draw breath, Bridgend had scored a try through number eight Collier (5-0). The conversion failed but then Bridgend went on to completely dominate the game for the next fifteen minutes. They played excellent rugby at a high pace which left Pooler floundering. It was no surprise when Bridgend scored their second try through Howley which, this time, was converted by Price (12-0). Those of us who were at the corresponding fixture last season had seen something similar happen and rather hoped that that Pooler could manage to come back this time.

It took until the second quarter before Pooler established themselves in the match. They were awarded a penalty and a great touch-finder from Meek put them in prime position near the Ravens’ line. From the ensuing lineout, Scarfe powered over for a try. The conversion failed but at least Pooler had given the Ravens something to think about (12-5).

Pooler took heart from the try and started to show what they are about and the match was far more evenly contested than in the first quarter. It was Pontypool that struck next when, after a period of attacking in the home twenty-two, Herbert forced his way over the line for a try. Meek converted and it was even stevens at 12-12.

It was to be Pooler who had the last laugh in the first half. As time ran out, the threequarters shipped the ball along to right wing Duggan. He had still had plenty to do but showed  strength and elusiveness to dot down in the corner for Pooler’s third try. The conversion failed but the away side had snatched the lead at 12-17. This was a fine response to the travails of the first quarter but there would be plenty to discuss during the halftime break.

You knew there would be a strong response from the home side in the second half and that was indeed the case. Despite losing Lewis to a yellow card, they dominated proceedings with Pooler struggling to get out of their own half. The Pooler defence was stretched but held firm with some tremendous tackling. It did, alas, start leaking penalties much to their frustration. This led to Cochrane receiving a yellow card just as Lewis’ time in the sin-bin was coming to an end. The Pooler defence was now short-handed and a deft kick through saw Bridgend score their third try when Wilkins touched down. Price converted and Bridgend were back in the lead at 19-17 with a quarter of an hour played in the second half.

Pooler bounced back almost immediately when they were awarded a penalty and kicked for the corner. A smart lineout drill saw Matthews plough through the middle of the lineout to touch down for Pooler’s bonus point try. More importantly, although the conversion failed, Pooler were back in the lead at 19-22. This was probably their first meaningful visit to the Bridgend half in the third quarter such had been the home side’s dominance of possession and territory.

As happens in most games, there was a plethora of substitutions which were difficult to keep track of as both sides emptied their benches. Bridgend went back on the attack and again Pooler got penned in their own half finding it difficult to relieve the pressure with their kicking game. The Pontypool defence had to work overtime with some inspired tackling from backs and forwards alike. In the end, the persistent Bridgend attacks told and Llewellyn scored a try with less than ten minutes remaining. Price converted and the lead had changed hands yet again. The home side were now in the driving seat at 26-22.

Could Pooler respond? You bet they could. Another rare incursion into the home half saw Pooler awarded a penalty in front of the posts with only a few minutes remaining. They opted for a scrum and spread the ball left.  Centre Pat Lewis found a gap and powered over to score Pooler’s fifth try. Meek converted and Pooler were back in the lead at 26-29.

The Pooler fans’ hearts were in their mouths as Bridgend launched a series of attacks as time ran out. Thankfully the defence held firm despite a scare or two and the Pooler contingent were mightily glad to hear the final whistle. Final score Bridgend Ravens 26 : Pontypool 29.

This was a real rollercoaster of a game and I am sure Bridgend will be wondering how they didn’t manage to take the spoils. That they didn’t was down to Pooler’s resilience as they came back from a poor start and the way that they responded when they were under the cosh in the second half. The Pooler defence held firm despite tremendous pressure and in attack they took probably the only two scoring chances they had in the second half. I am sure that the coaching team will have plenty to work on but they will be encouraged but what they saw.

I would like to say a big thank you to Leighton Jones for all his work with the squad over the years. He inspired the squad to the success that we Pooler fans had been starved of for too long. I wish him well in whatever he chooses to do next. Good luck also to Tom Hancock on his return to the Pontypool coaching set-up.

The next match for Pontypool will be RGC in Colwyn Bay. This is always a tough fixture but let us hope that Pooler can build on the win at Bridgend.

Come on Pooler!

Super Effort from Pooler Just Fails

At last league rugby has returned. Not just any old rugby but Super Rygbi Cymru which has come into existence this season. Pontypool and Llandovery had the honour of playing the first match in the new league at a pristine Pontypool Park in front of the TV cameras. The pitch looked in perfect condition on a clear chilly evening under floodlights.

To the casual observer, nothing much seemed to have changed as the line-ups for the two teams showed many familiar faces. As always, there had been players moving from club to club during the closed season but the rosters were not showing the bevy of promising young players that we had been anticipating. The strips worn by the teams had changed with Pooler playing predominantly in black and the Drovers in a colourful mix of red, green and white.

Llandovery played down the slope in the first half and started with a bang with left wing Phillips scoring in the corner after some good attacking rugby by the backs. The conversion failed but the signs were ominous (0-5). Those of us who watched the corresponding fixture last season feared the worst. On that occasion, Pooler had been blitzed in the first half by some brilliant Llandovery rugby . This time, however, it was clear that Pooler had significantly improved their defence and were not about to let the visitors have things their own way. The Pooler line speed was up a notch or two and the tackling aggressive to say the least.

Despite Llandovery having the lion’s share of possession in the first quarter, Pooler did manage to make a few dents with the powerful carrying of the forwards. Llandovery did look dangerous but Pooler’s defence held firm. In a rare foray into the Llandovery half, Pooler were awarded a penalty that returning old boy Meek converted (3-5).

The game became far more even as we moved into the second quarter. A Llandovery attack took them well into the home twenty-two. Pooler were stretched and Scarfe was given a yellow card for a trip. Llandovery made use or their numerical advantage by kicking the subsequent penalty to the corner. Their lineout drive was effective and hooker Davies touched down. The try was converted by Maynard and the Drovers had increased their lead to 3-12.

Pooler went on the attack straight afterwards but during the attack Llandovery flanker Worrall suffered what looked to be a bad injury. There was a long delay as the medical team looked after him and we wish him a speedy recovery.  Play seemed muted for the rest of the first half and the teams went into the break with Llandovery leading 3-12.

Pooler needed to start well in the second half and that was exactly what they did. Only a couple of minutes had gone, when a Pooler kick ahead bounced awkwardly for the Drovers’ defence. Pooler left wing Powell sniffed out a chance and was able to win the race for the touch down. The try was expertly converted by Meek from the touchline and Pooler were within two points at 10-12.

A few minute later Pooler were at it again. A great break by Mahoney split the Llandovery defence and an overlap was created for Powell to bag his second try . This time Meek’s conversion just missed but still Pooler had taken the lead at 15-12. It was now anyone’s game although the momentum was with the home side.

Llandovery were league champions and cup winners last season for a reason. They were soon giving as good as they got and a penalty from Maynard as the third quarter came to an end levelled the scores at 15-15.

Now it was Pooler’s turn to attack and after a period of sustained pressure on the Llandovery line a neat dropped goal by Meek edged Pooler back in front at 18-15. Almost before we could draw breath, another penalty from Maynard evened things up again at 18-18 in this cliffhanger of a game.

By now, we were into the last ten minutes or so and it was Pooler who were doing most of the attacking. Another great break from Mahoney saw him stopped just short of the Llandovery line. Somehow Llandovery managed to survive and get the ball away. Pooler had possession and territory but just couldn’t get over the line.

Eventually Llandovery broke out and worked their way upfield. Pooler substitute wing Scriven was penalised and given a yellow card as the defence scrambled to stop the attack. Up stepped Maynard who coolly converted the penalty to put Llandovery into the lead at 18-21 with little time remaining.

Pooler gave it their all and managed to get back into the away twenty-two. They were awarded a penalty but rather than settle for a draw went for the win by kicking to the corner. They came agonisingly close to scoring but it wasn’t to be. Llandovery just about held out to record a narrow victory. Final score Pontypool 18: Llandovery 21.

This was a great game to watch as both teams gave their all. Pooler came storming back in the second half and victory was in their grasp. Alas it wasn’t to be, but there were plenty of encouraging things that came out of the game. The set pieces looked good and the defence was effective and blunted Llandovery’s much vaunted attack. As always there was tremendous team spirit and the never-say-die attitude that we have come to expect. As someone once said, “It can only get better.”

Pooler’s next match will be away to Bridgend Ravens. I am looking forward to it already.