Pooler Back on the Rollercoaster

Sunshine and blue sky greeted us in Carmarthen as we gathered for Pontypool’s latest league match against Carmarthen Quins. There was, however, a keen breeze blowing down the ground towards the town centre. The breeze was strong enough to have a significant effect on the play and it was Pooler who would have first use of it.

Pooler started with all guns blazing with scrum half Morgan Lloyd directing operations.  It was no more than they deserved when a break by Lewis led to a try for Marcus Jones in the left corner. An excellent conversion from Meek saw Pooler take a 0-7 lead within the first five minutes. Pooler could have had a second try a few minutes later but it was chalked off by the referee. A well struck penalty from Meek did see Pooler extend their lead to 0-10 soon after.

The Quins were sure to react and they started to apply some pressure. The Pooler set piece looked vulnerable and penalties were conceded. This gave the Quins the opportunity to camp inside the Pooler twenty-two. Despite some resolute defence, the Pooler line was eventually breached  when Quins scrum half Davies dived over for an unconverted try as we entered the second quarter (5-10).

Back came Pooler but some weak attempts at tackling saw Quins break out from their own twenty two against the run of play to score a long range try from George. This was converted by Thomas and Quins edged into a two point lead at 12-10 with ten minutes left in the first half.

With the benefit of the wind, Pooler really did need to score some points. Their cause was not helped by a yellow card for Marcus Jones for a high tackle. Nevertheless, they did press forward and the remainder of the half saw Pooler laying siege in the home side’s twenty two. Frustratingly for Pooler a combination of excellent defence and a rather blunt attack saw the Quins hold out until half time. The roar from the home team when the half time whistle said everything about the boost to their confidence. In contrast the Pooler team trooped off the field looking dejected.

This sentiment seemed to be carried over into the second half as a confident Quins team blitzed Pooler. In the first ten minutes of the half they piled on the points with a penalty and tries from Howell and Morgan. In all Pooler leaked fifteen points to trail 27-10. It certainly looked like game over.

We do know that Pooler are made of sterner stuff than that and will never give up even if the cause looks lost. They needed to find some inspiration and that came from three key substitutions. On came the redoubtable Matthews on the flank accompanied by young outside half Ford and tight head prop Williams. Maybe the Quins relaxed but I like to think that Pooler stepped it up a notch or five. Anyway, it was suddenly a different ball game. A brilliant solo try by Morgan Lloyd started the ball rolling and with the conversion the gap was closed to ten points at 27-17. Did Pooler fans dare to hope for an unlikely comeback?

As the third quarter ended, Pooler found themselves deep in the Quins’ twenty-two. A strong drive from a tap penalty saw Matthews bludgeon his was over for a try that was converted by Meek. It was game on with the Quins’ seemingly unassailable lead cut to just three points (27-24).

Quins could see the game slipping away but responded well. A strong driving maul saw Morgan score from close range and with the Thomas conversion the Quins had re-established a ten point lead (34-24). There was still a quarter of an hour remaining so time for Pontypool to respond. A couple of opportunities went begging as their lineout failed to function when they had good field position.

Pooler needed a moment of magic and it came from  their young half backs. A lineout on the Quins ten metre line led to a scintillating break by Ford who found Morgan Lloyd in support and the scrum half crossed for his second and Pooler’s fourth try. The conversion from Meek saw the gap closed to three points at 34-31 with around five minutes remaining. It was still anyone’s game.

It was to be the home side that managed the final throes best and they finished the game with their sixth try of the afternoon that was scored by Fawcett and converted by Thomas. Final score Carmarthen Quins 41 ; Pontypool 31.

Despite a strong come back when all seemed lost, Pooler really lost the game in the first half when they failed to take full advantage of the wind. This is another match when you were left thinking “could have , should have.” While Pooler are scoring plenty of tries, they are also conceding far too many. I am sure everyone involved is well aware that there is plenty to work on. Their team spirit is unquestionable that is for certain.

Pooler will be tested to the full next weekend when they entertain Newport. Despite losing to Llandovery in the week, Newport are certainly one of the strongest teams in the league. The Pooler squad will be desperate to put one over on their highflying neighbours -it should be well worth watching.

Come on Pooler!   

Revenge is Sweet for Pooler

Just a week on from their remarkable 61-42 defeat in a try fest in Colwyn Bay last Saturday, Pooler faced RGC again but this time in the more familiar surroundings of Pontypool Park on good old grass. A decent crowd had gathered with no one really sure what to expect. It was a dry, blustery day with the wind favouring the team playing up the slope. Pooler, however, were playing down the slope in the first half.

Straight from the kick off Pooler went on the offensive. A deliberate knock-on by RGC snuffed out a promising attack and after a long consultation with a linesman the referee decided that a penalty to the home side was sufficient sanction. Pooler kicked for the corner and took full advantage of the penalty when Ieuan Jones ploughed over for a try from the ensuing lineout. The conversion failed but Pooler were off and running within a few minutes of the kick-off (5-0).

The next ten minutes or so belonged to RGC as the North Walians responded in kind. A well-worked try for flanker Fackrell was converted by McBryde to give them the lead (5-7). RGC followed this up with another strong attack which Pooler struggled to keep at bay. Eventually Pooler were forced to give away a penalty that McBryde dispatched with ease to increase the lead to 5-10.

Pooler’s response was immediate. A powerful charge by Morgan Allen scattered RGC defenders like ninepins before he was eventually brought to a halt deep inside the RGC twenty-two. His forward colleagues carried the move on with Hill touching down for the try that was converted by Meek. This gave Pooler a narrow lead at 12-10. Pooler’s lead was increased when Meek converted a penalty as the  incident packed first quarter came to an end (15-10).

A yellow card for Pooler scrum half Flanagan for a deliberate knock on  gave  RGC a numerical advantage and slowed Pooler’s momentum. A monster penalty from his own ten metre line saw RGC fullback Earl Jones close the deficit to 15-13.

There followed a strong finish to the first half by Pooler that really decided the outcome of the match. The forwards had been carrying powerfully throughout the half with Morgan Allen to the fore ably backed up by the rest of the pack.  Pooler worked their way into the RGC twenty-two and after a period of sustained pressure Chapman forced his way over for a try that Meek converted (22-13). This was closely followed by Pooler’s bonus point try. This time, after tremendous driving play by the forwards, it was centre, Mahoney, who got the touch down. Meek added the conversion and as the half ended Pooler had built a sixteen point lead at 29-13.

The second half started badly for the home side with rather lack-lustre defending giving RGC centre Cross an almost free passage to the line. McBryde converted and what had seemed to be a comfortable lead had been slashed in a couple of minutes (29-20). After fifteen minutes of the second half a Meek penalty increased Pooler’s lead to twelve points at 32-20.

The rest of the second half was frenetic but scoreless. RGC tried their best to fight back but a combination of a good defence from Pooler and their uncharacteristic handling errors stymied all their efforts. A plethora of substitutions by both sides did not help the flow of the game. It was far from a relaxing watch for the Pooler fans who knew that a try from RGC would put them within a score. 

Pooler were perhaps guilty of not using the wind to their advantage with RGC ever ready to run the ball back if there were any loose kicks. Pooler, for their part, attacked sporadically but could not manage to get the try that would have made the game safe. They did have a couple of penalty shots at goal that could have earned an extra bonus point that went astray. All in all, the fourth quarter was frustrating for both sides. Final score Pontypool 32 : RGC 20.

This was a great effort form Pontypool to bounce back from last week’s defeat by the same opposition. RGC who scored seven tries the previous week could only manage two this time. This was testimony to Pooler’s defensive effort. In attack, Pooler mainly relied on forward power which got the job done. A much needed victory will put Pooler in good heart for the trip to Carmarthen next weekend.

At regional level, all four Welsh regions went down to defeats – albeit the Dragons and the Scarlets by the narrowest of margins. With the Autumn internationals just around the corner, Gatland and co will need to put their thinking caps on if Wales are to get a victory or two.

We Pooler fans have the trip to Carmarthen Quins to think about first and then the visit of the old enemy Newport to the Park.

Come on Pooler!