Pooler Light The Blue Touchpaper

I felt a bit queasy after having had my Covid and Flu jabs in the morning so didn’t make the trip down to Swansea for Pontypool’s latest league game. Fortunately, it was televised so I was able to watch the last game in the initial block of matches.

It was clear that the match was going to be very much affected by a strong wind blowing down the ground towards Mumbles. Swansea had first use of the wind so it was Pooler’s job to keep the scores close in the first half and then capitalise on the conditions in the second half.

Things could not have started better for Pooler when a smart break by scrum half Lloyd was supported by right wing Duggan. Duggan still had a bit to do but weaved his way to the line for the first try. The conversion from Meek gave Pooler an invaluable 0-7 lead.

There followed a long period of play almost entirely confined to the Pontypool half as the wind prevented relieving kicks making much territory. Pooler’s defence was heroic and held out against wave after wave of attacks for the whole of the first quarter. Eventually  the pressure told and Swansea, after bashing away at a brick wall, opted to take a shot at goal Phillips converted and brought the score to 3-7 at the start of the second quarter.

A couple of minutes later a brilliant break form Swansea full back Houston was brought to an end by a high tackle by Jordan Thomas. Thomas was given a yellow card and Swansea kicked for the corner. . A well organised driving lineout saw left wing Wood pop up to force his way over the line. Phillips converted and Swansea had taken a narrow lead at 10-7.

With around five minutes to go before half time, Pooler made one of very few incursions into the Swansea twenty-two. They managed to get a lineout near the Swansea line. The lineout drive was textbook and Scarfe touched down in the right corner. The conversion failed but Pooler were back in the lead at 12-10. Pooler managed to hold on to the lead until halftime and must have been relieved to be in a strong position with the wind at their backs in the second half.

The third quarter was frustrating as Pooler found it difficult to produce the continuity that was required to build on their first half efforts. Swansea for their part continued to look dangerous occasionally as they were forced to run the ball to gain territory. Pooler’s lineout let them down at times with the wind making things tricky for the thrower. Towards the end of the third quarter Pooler made several substitutions including the introduction of their talisman Scott Matthews. Morgan Allen had been the main ball carrier and borne the burden particularly well but it was good to have someone else who could make the valuable hard yards.

Swansea were tiring and had been significantly weakened by a series of injuries but remained stubborn in their defence against almost continuous Pooler attacks. Finally, Morgan Allen stormed  over the line for a richly deserved try. It was converted by Meek to give Pooler a two score lead at 10-19 with twenty minutes to go.

Just as you thought that Pooler were going to have to settle for a relatively narrow victory, they lit the blue touch paper. Matthews had the matches and stormed over for the bonus point try from close range that Meek converted (10-26). Pooler were soon back in the Swansea twenty-two and settled for a Meek penalty to ensure that the second bonus point for a fifteen point lead was preserved (10-29).

Moments later, Matthews was storming down the field again. Tthis time he passed to substitute scrumhalf Leonard who fed Meek and the outside half galloped over for a try that he converted himself (10-36). There was still time for a final flourish when a searing break by Anderson was supported by flanker Dylan Jones who raced over for Pooler’s sixth try. Meek converted with the final kick of the match. Final score Swansea 10 : Pontypool 43.

It took quite a long time for Pooler to wear down an obdurate Swansea defence but wear them down they did with some powerful carrying by the forwards.  A frenetic last ten minutes saw the floodgates open and Pooler romp home in some style. What a brilliant way to bring down the curtain on the first block of seven matches of which Pooler won four. The three losses could even have been victories but that is the way of rugby. The new league is very competitive with little to choose between the teams. Pooler had just built some momentum with two fine victories but now there is a break of a month before they are next in action when Aberavon visit the Park.

Well done Pooler!   

Never Say Die Pooler Edge Home in Tough Local Derby

A local derby is always something to savour and it always seems to add extra spice when Pontypool’s opponents are Newport. We had suffered a considerable amount of rain leading up to the match but the weather gods had smiled and it was a beautiful sunny afternoon and Pontypool Park was looking at its best. When the leaves start turning to brown, there surely cannot be a more picturesque place to watch rugby.

This was the match that all Pooler fans wanted to win above all others especially with Newport being one of the favourites to win the first edition of Super Rugby Wales. As you would expect, a goodly crowd had gathered with plenty of black and amber on show.

Pooler played down the slope in the first half and started well with a series of attacks. They hammered away at the Newport line but all their efforts were repelled by a strong Newport defence. Every now and then Newport broke out and showed that their threequarters could be dangerous. It was tense stuff with defences on top with thumping tackles the order of the day. No quarter given and none asked for in a scoreless first quarter. This was going to be a close run thing.

Early in the second quarter, Pooler finally got some reward for all their effort with a well-struck penalty from Meek (3-0). You felt that Pooler really needed to score some more points with the advantage of the slope in the first half. The second quarter was as tense as the first with a combination of errors and penalties punctuating the game as both sides struggled to get ascendency. Neither side could claim to be on top as strong defence continued to dominate.

Just as the first half looked like it was going to be tryless, Newport right wing and Pooler old boy, Lloyd Lewis, received the ball near half way with a bit of space to run. He needed no second invitation and surged deep into the Pontypool twenty-two. He was tackled but managed to get the ball away. Pooler centre , Mahoney, got in the way and was penalised and shown a yellow card. Newport spurned the chance of three points and kicked for the corner. The Newport lineout drive was clinically executed with Langley touching down for a try. The try was converted by Penny with the last action of the first half. Newport had snatched a 3-7 lead at half time.

The third quarter continued where the first half left off with both sides going at it hammer and tongs but neither side managing to find their way over the whitewash to score a try. There was a lot of kicking from both sides as they searched for the error that would give them field position. The set pieces were evenly contested although the Pooler lineout did creak a little. Newport still held their narrow lead but it was still anyone’s game.

Just as the third quarter ended, Pooler managed to break through and establish a bridgehead close to the Newport line. The forwards hammered away but again found the Newport defence unyielding. Eventually there was a change of plan and the ball was shipped out to the left wing where substitute wing Marcus Jones was eagerly waiting. He did the necessary and scored in the corner to the Pooler faithful’s delight. A tremendous conversion form Meek  put Pooler back in the lead at 10-7 with twenty minutes remaining.

The clock seemed to be running down slowly now as Newport sought a way back into the game. Both sides emptied their benches as the physicality of the game told. The changes in the front row gave Newport ascendency in the scrums which gave them a valuable source of penalties. Both sides continued to kick ball away as they looked for field position. The tension was mounting as it really felt that the next score would probably clinch the game.

The clock showed that it was the 74^th minute when the deadlock was broken. To Pooler’s dismay it was Newport who struck. They worked their way downfield and it was Reid who scored the try and it was converted by Reed This put Newport back in the lead at 10-14 leaving Pooler with just five minutes to turn things around.

To their credit, Pooler didn’t panic and we know of old that they never say die. They applied tremendous pressure form the restart and regained possession. As the clock ticked down, they were back on the Newport line with the away side defending desperately. Again, the forwards hammered away in this time in the right corner – well that was all the forwards bar hooker Sam Scarfe who was stationed on the left wing. After going close a number of times, Pooler heeded Scarfe’s wishes and spread the ball wide. Scarfe repaid their confidence and plunged over in the left corner. Another fine conversion from Meek saw Pooler establish a three point lead at 17-14 with a minute or so remaining.

There was still time for an anxious moment or two as Newport found their way into the Pooler twenty-two. A Pooler scrum just about managed to keep possession and the ball was kicked out of play. Pooler had done it and the Pooler fans celebrated. Final score Pontypool 14 : Newport 14.

What a game with the result in doubt right to the end. Pontypool can be justifiably proud of their efforts in a true team performance against a strong Newport team. This was a great local derby with both sides draining their tanks in trying to get one over on their local rivals. True it was not a try fest with defences on top but it was a compelling spectacle played in good spirit. – so, well done to both sides.

Next up for Pooler will be a trip to St Helens to play Swansea on Thursday evening in a televised  match. This will be the last match before a month’s break that coincides with the Autumn Internationals. Swansea have had a poor start to the season but as always they will provide a stern test.

Come on Pooler!   

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!