Heartbreak for Pooler After Stunning Comeback

Pontypool travelled to Llandovery to take on the Drovers in a SRC Cup semi-final. After all the rain that we have had, it was a joy to be greeted by bright sunshine and the artificial pitch glistening. This has not been a happy hunting ground for Pooler over recent times as Llandovery have established themselves as one of the top club sides in Wales. The relative league positions and home advantage would make Llandovery clear favourites but Pooler after their resurgence in form should fancy their chances of creating an upset. An early blow for Pooler saw the late withdrawal of dynamic scrum half Morgan Lloyd.

There was a breeze blowing down the ground towards the clubhouse and Pooler were given first use of it in the first half. Pooler started strongly enough and retained possession for the first few minutes as the teams sized each other up. The home side countered with some attacks of their own and their backs looked lively but the Pooler defence looked strong. The deadlock was broken after sixteen minutes when Meek kicked a penalty after Llandovery infringed at a scrum to put Pooler in front (0-3).

Early in the second quarter Pooler were penalised and Llandovery played the advantage. The backs attacked at pace and proved too hot to handle and a well-timed pass put Doel over in the corner for a try. The try was converted off the post by Hughes and Llandovery were leading 7-3.

While Pooler’s scrum was on top their lineout was struggling badly as the Llandovery jumpers appeared to have all of Pooler’s options covered. It seemed that every time that Pooler established a decent position in the Llandovery half they lost their own lineout to the frustration of players and fans alike.

Just after half an hour played, Pooler conceded a penalty that the home side kicked to the corner. The pressure was relieved by an excellent lineout steal from Ryan Jones which enabled Pooler to clear their lines. A minute or so later a 50/20 put Pooler in an attacking position. While they lost the lineout, Llandovery were penalised and Pooler kicked into the left corner.   Pooler finally won a lineout and attacked through their forwards. After a series of drives Allen forced his way over in the last minute of the half. Meek converted and gave Pooler a 7-10 lead at half time. In the build up to the try the Llandovery loosehead prop Hughes had transgressed and was subsequently shown a yellow card.

Pooler held a narrow lead but would be playing against the breeze in the second half. The Drovers had shown had shown just how dangerous they could be in turning defence into attack and quite clearly had the potential to score tries from anywhere on the field. For Pooler, there was a need to change their fortunes in the lineout which had proved such an Achilles heel in the first half.

The opening minutes of the second half were disastrous for Pooler. They made a mess of the first lineout and Llandovery hooker Lewis showed a terrific turn of speed as he raced down the field from halfway.  He found Hughes in support and the outside half dotted down under the posts unopposed. The conversion followed and the home side were back in the lead (14-10). A couple of minutes later, Pooler were penalised and Hughes kicked the penalty via a post (17-10).

Pooler’s lead had evaporated and momentum was very much with the home side even though they were down to fourteen men. Pooler found it difficult to get out of their own half as Llandovery monopolised possession. The third quarter saw Hughes kick another two penalties as Llandovery built on their lead. They led 23-10 as the quarter came to an end with Pooler on the ropes.

The benches were emptied and this seemed to put a real spring in Pooler’s step. They were only two converted tries behind and the game was far from over. Pooler never lack conviction in these kind of situations.

The first real Pooler assault of the second half saw the forwards carrying hard and they hammered away on the Drovers’ line. They managed to get over the line but the ball was adjudged to be held up. Pooler continued to attack and finally cracked the home defence when Rosser appeared in midfield to power over for a try. Ford, who was now playing outside half, converted. It was now 23-17 and it was very much ‘game on’ with seven minutes remaining and the Pooler lineout functioning at last.

It was now all Pooler as Llandovery desperately clung on to their lead. With less than three minutes on the clock, Pooler spread the ball wide and Anderson had a clear run to the line and gleefully put the ball down for Pooler’s third try. Ford landed the tricky conversion and against all the odds Pooler had taken the lead with a couple of minutes remaining (23-24).

Pooler caught the kick off and set up a series of rucks to wind the clock down. All seemed to be under control but the referee was not happy and penalised Pooler with seconds remaining.  It left Llandovery with a kickable penalty to snatch the spoils. Up stepped Hughes in perfect silence and the ball sailed between the posts. It was a cruel end to a pulsating Pooler comeback. Final score Llandovery 26 : Pontypool 24.

This was real body blow for Pooler who had played so brilliantly to get themselves into a winning position with only seconds remaining against very good opposition. Despite this loss, it is clear that the Pooler revival is still very much on track. Congratulations to everyone involved for a stirring performance.

Next up for Pontypool is the match at Bridgend Ravens next Saturday. The shame of it is that it could have been the cup final next Saturday.

In the meantime, Wales travel to Dublin to play Ireland on Friday evening. After Ireland’s demolition of England this about as tough as it gets. I wish Wales luck.

Come on Wales!

Come on Pooler!