One of the advantages of artificial pitches is that they are not subjected to the foibles of the British weather. Pooler play on good old grass which I still think is the appropriate surface for rugby . It did mean that yesterday the weather won and Pooler’s match against Carmarthen Quins had to be postponed due to a frozen pitch. So it was back to the couch for me.
There was plenty of rugby to watch on the TV and I did
enjoy the match between Gloucester and Sale. Gloucester set off at a great pace
and quickly opened up a big lead. The more pragmatic Sale with their forward power
gradually closed the gap so it became quite close at the end but Gloucester
held on despite a few yellow cards. The Gloucester back division contained no
fewer than four Welsh internationals and could make an excellent backbone for
the Six Nations Championship. Tomas Williams, Anscombe, Llewelyn and Hathaway
all played pivotal roles in the Gloucester victory. If you added Tompkins and
Liam Williams from Saracens and Halfpenny from Harlequins you could end up with
a complete back division that plays in England. It set me thinking about the
forwards and there are some strong candidates there too. In the front row
Carre, Wyn Jones, Griffin and Lewis at prop although no obvious candidate at
hooker although they do say that the young Kepu Tuipulotu who was born in
Pontypool is a great prospect. In the second row there are Jenkins and Freddie
Thomas and in the back row Refell and Tshiunza. You could add Rowlands who is
playing in France to make up an eight
with Jenkins in the back row. You can tell I was missing my Pooler fix!
The two Welsh regional derbies in midweek were a little
underwhelming in terms of quality although showing the usual level of commitment.
The Scarlets overcame the Dragons while Cardiff and the Ospreys fought out a
low scoring draw . They are all certainly way off the standards of the matches
I watched from England and France yesterday.
The next match for Pooler is two weeks away when they
are away to Llandovery who are climbing up the league table rapidly after an
indifferent start to the season. This is the day that I am due to have my hip
replacement operation but I will be with the Pooler in spirit.
Come on Pooler!
