Last Gasp Defeat for Pooler

Here we are again with a new rugby season just around the corner. As what has become alarmingly normal, Welsh rugby remains in a state of flux. At least the national team ended their dismal run with a victory in Japan. The debate about how many regions Welsh rugby can support rages on and seems no nearer to resolution. Something akin to a civil war has broken out in the West with Scarlets and Ospreys at each other’s throats. The rationalisation can has been kicked so many times down the road it probably looks more like a flat sheet. No more reviews surely. Someone needs to make a decision and soon. Its emotive and difficult but for the good of Welsh rugby it has to be done.

The return of the prodigal son Rees Zammit has caused a major distraction. True he is an excellent player, but he needs to be given the ball in situations that he can exploit with his speed. Have we got a team that can do that? Hopefully new coach Steve Tandy can build a team to bring some much needed pride back at the top of the game in Wales.

Meanwhile we are in the realms of pre-season friendlies. Pontypool travelled to Dings Crusaders in Bristol for their second outing of the season after travelling up the road to Talywain last weekend. Dings have an enviable set up on the outskirts of Bristol with a magnificent clubhouse and at least three pitches. They are in the English Division One and can present formidable opposition. As always, in pre-season friendlies the teams selected are often experimental and this was certainly the case for the Pontypool team.

The weather was warm and sunny and the match was played on an artificial pitch. I am glad to say it was played under proper match conditions with a normal sized squad of players for each team. Play was quite scrappy in the early stages as both teams tried to find a rhythm.  It was Pooler who scored first when Mahoney burst over for a converted try (0-7). It did not take long for Dings to hit back as they scored from a lineout drive (7-7).

Pooler retook the lead after some smart play from the backs saw Jarvis score a try which was converted by Meek. It was clear that Dings were settling down to play the more cohesive rugby. They had a strong scrum and an efficient lineout and began to look threatening. Pooler were also guilty of conceding too many penalties with high tackles incurring the wrath of the referee and in the end resulted in a yellow card for the Pooler tight head prop.

Dings deservedly took the lead with two converted tries which saw them 21-14 ahead at half time. Pooler needed to respond and start the second half strongly.

Right at the beginning of the second half the Dings openside flanker suffered a nasty head/neck injury which meant a delay of around 20 minutes while he was attended to by the medics. I wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.

The delay set Pooler back and Dings looked the more determined side when the game restarted. They quickly went back on the attack and scored a try near the posts after a break by their scrum half (28-14).  Pooler brought on reinforcements from the bench and began to look much more threatening. A converted try from short range after strong play by the forwards saw the lead trimmed to 28-21.

Pooler continued to attack and a try in the left corner by Rees was quickly followed by a try from Jones in the right corner. Both conversions from wide out failed but the ten points gave Pooler a 28-31 lead with not long left.

Yet another Pooler infringement gave Dings field position for the last play of the match. They put together a well-constructed lineout drive with virtually the whole team joining in. This was enough to force their way over the line for the winning score. The try was converted and the final score was Dings Crusaders 35 : Pontypool 31.

This was an entertaining game and I am sure a good workout for the players before the season proper. Pooler will know they can play much better than this and that they have some strong resources that weren’t on view. They will need to look at how to avoid conceding so many penalties which can prove so costly.

The next friendly is away at Moseley next weekend. It will be interesting to see the team that is selected.

I applaud the work that has been done in setting up the Pontypool Supporters Club. Congratulations to all  you are doing a fine job.

Come on Pooler!