Despite my sore hip, I did manage to get to Pontypool to watch them take on the Bridgend Ravens in their latest league fixture. Last week’s planned fixture at Llandovery was postponed due to the ravages of the storm Darragh. Club rugby has been in short supply these last few weeks so it was good to be back for only the fourth home game this season. I took a seat in the stand rather than in my normal place on the Bank and it does give a different perspective. The weather was cold but thankfully dry without those strong winds that have plagued the country.
Bridgend kicked off playing down the slope and within
a minute or so had scored a try when the Pontypool defence was breached by Evans following
a Bridgend lineout. The try was unconverted but was soon followed by another
unconverted try when the Ravens forwards rumbled over from close range. The two tries came either side of a Meek penalty for Pooler. The
Ravens had scored two tries and were 3-10 ahead almost before Pooler had drawn breath. This is of course
is nothing new for Pooler and we knew that they are more than capable of
growing into a game.
Pooler did stir their stumps and replied with a try by Walker Price. Meek spotted Price in the clear and his
accurate kick pass found the speedster in space on the right wing. An excellent
conversion by Meek drew Pooler level at 10-10.
Pooler played rather laboured rugby for the rest of
the half with far too many mistakes. The Bridgend backs looked dangerous every time
they had the ball and Pooler looked distinctly second best. Bridgend retook the
lead with a penalty and then increased their lead just before half time with
their scrum half touching down after some scintillating play by their backs.
The conversion was successful so the teams made their way off the field with a
halftime score of Pontypool 10 : Bridgend Ravens 20. Pooler had it all to do in
the second half.
Pooler made a couple of substitutions with Pat Lewis
coming on in the centre and Scott Matthews replacing an injured Calum Davies. Pooler
needed a fast start and they did that in spades. First came a penalty from Meek
and then Price scored in the right corner after some great work by the Pooler
centres to put him in space. The conversion failed but Pooler were well back in
contention at 18-20.
Cue Scott Matthews. The Pooler forwards were getting
on top and worked their way deep into the away twenty-two. Matthews was on hand
to force his way over near the posts. A few minutes later there was almost a
carbon copy when Matthews again scored from close range after powerful work by
the forwards. Both tries were converted by Meek and in a short space of time
Pooler found themselves 32-20 to the good with the try bonus point secured.
Things got even worse for Bridgend when Ieuan Jones
powered over for Pooler’s fifth try. Although the conversion failed Pooler were
now well clear at 37-20. The game then became incredibly open as both sides
threw caution to the winds and ran the ball from everywhere. Despite a number
of injuries Bridgend had certainly not given up and were next on the scoresheet
with a well taken try by Greenhall that gave them a bonus point and some hope of a revival at
37-25.
Both sides used up their benches as Pooler turned on
the style. They played high tempo rugby with continuity and offloading being
the order of the day. It was brilliant to watch as Pooler ran in three more
tries all from long range. Leonard scored the first as he steamed up in support and
then there were tries for the substitute halfbacks Ford and Dylan Davies to
round things off. All three tries were converted and the final score was
Pontypool 58 : Bridgend Ravens 25.
I don’t think anyone saw this result coming after the
first half when Pooler really struggled to contain a lively Bridgend side. As
so often, the introduction of Scott Matthews seems to act as a catalyst and the
team steps up a gear. Of course, it is not about one man and the whole team
really lifted their performance after the half time team talk. There was some brilliant rugby played by both
sides in a thoroughly entertaining match. Let’s have more of the same – we need cheering
up in Wales!
Next week Pooler take on Ebbw Vale who are having an
excellent season. As always, a local derby will be a tough encounter and Pooler
will need to be at their best right from the kick-off if they are to keep the
noisy neighbours at bay. Should be a Xmas cracker.
Come on Pooler!
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