No Joy for Pooler at Aberavon

Pontypool travelled to the Talbot Athletic Ground to take on Aberavon still searching for their first away league win of the season. Indeed, you need to go back to October 2024 for the last away league win which was at Swansea. Not a good record to take to Aberavon where despite Aberavon’s lowly position in the league a tough game would be anticipated.

While the sun was shining, there was a keen wind blowing down the ground which was sure to affect the balance of play. Aberavon kicked off and had the wind behind them in the first half. Pooler got off to a bad start when they conceded a penalty in front of their posts virtually straight from the kick off (3-0).

Pooler managed to take play into the home twenty-two but could not make anything of it. A massive relieving kick gave Aberavon a 50:22 and, after gaining possession from the lineout, the home threequarters made ground and the first try of the afternoon was scored by scrum half Whitlock popping up in support. Cullen converted and it was 10-0 with less than ten minutes played.

The Pooler scrum was dominant and Aberavon were penalised on a number of occasions. Pooler finally managed to get back into Aberavon territory. They were awarded another penalty but the Pooler kick to the corner missed touch and the attack fizzled out. It had been a struggle in the first quarter for both sides, but scrum apart, the home side with the benefit of the wind were on top in terms of territory and possession.

The second quarter started with a succession of four penalties awarded against Pooler in the first ten minutes. The home team kicked the first to the corner but lost the lineout. The second they tried a quick tap penalty which led to nothing. The third and fourth they took shots at goal but both missed. Pooler were a little fortunate not to have conceded any more points as they were very much on the back foot.

Just after the half hour mark, Whitlock scored his second try after the Aberavon threequarters cut through the Pooler defence. Whitlock was again there in support to take the scoring pass. Cullen converted and the gap lead had increased to 17-0.

A few minutes later, another dominant Pooler scrum saw the Aberavon penalised near halfway line. When the forwards got their feet, Pooler prop Popple lay prostrate on the ground. The medics rushed to help him and after a long delay, where every precaution was taken, he was stretchered off the field. We wish him a speedy recovery.

The home side started the better after the long delay and immediately forced their way back into the Pooler twenty-two. Pooler conceded more penalties and the referee showed Pooler flanker Hill a yellow card. Immediately afterwards Whitlock scored his third try with a sniping run. A mass brawl followed and Aberavon’s Roderick was shown a red card. Cullen converted the try to give Aberavon a commanding 24-0 lead at half time.

Pooler had the strong wind at their backs in the second half so a comeback was certainly not out of the question but they would need a good start. Pooler immediately went on the attack and were rewarded with a brace of tries in the first twelve minutes of the half. The first was scored by Marcus Jones after a bit of a comedy or errors. A Pooler attack was foiled by an interception. Aberavon kicked ahead and Pooler fielded and kicked the ball back. The Aberavon defence made a meal of it and McDonough and Jones somehow managed between them to retrieve the ball and for Jones to score. Ford converted and Pooler had hit back (24-7).  Pooler’s second try was more clinical. The Pooler threequarters made ground to create an overlap for Rosser to touch down in the right corner. Meek converted and a comeback looked on the cards with Pooler having the wind behind them and the opposition down to fourteen men.

Hopes of a comeback were soon dented when Pooler conceded another two penalties in succession to give Aberavon field position. The home forwards battered away at the Pooler line and it was No 8 Evans who barged over to score. Cullen again converted and it was 31-14.

Pooler’s hopes were hit further with a yellow card for substitute hooker Evan Wood as we entered the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter turned out to be a very scrappy affair with both sides guilty of handling errors which lead to a plethora of turnovers. The benches were emptied and the Aberavon scrum became dominant which certainly did not help the Pooler cause.  Pooler did come close to scoring their third try when Kelvin Williams got over the line from short range but the referee deemed that the ball was held up.

It was left to Aberavon to have the last say when in the dying minutes Delnevo scored their fifth converted try. Final score Aberavon 38 : Pontypool 14.

More disappointment for the Pooler fans to discuss on the journey home as the long run of league defeats continues. Too many penalties conceded were at the heart of this defeat I am afraid. Two more tough league games follow with Llandovery at home and Newport away which will further test the squad’s resolve. The cup run apart, where Pooler showed good form, this is a season to forget so far.  I am sure everyone is working hard to put things right and the support of the Pooler army is still very much behind them. 

Come on Pooler!