More Heartache for Pooler in a Cracking Local Derby

Pontypool visited Rodney parade to take on Newport in their last league game of the season. Rodney Parade always evokes memories of the glory days for Pooler when games against their neighbours were always bruising encounters but Pooler generally came out on top. Times have changed and how! It is difficult to remember the last time Pontypool won in Newport although a hard fought draw in the Cup earlier in the season might give them a cause for optimism. The league positions would indicate a home win but this was a local derby and Pooler would be sure to be motivated and an upset was entirely possible.

Pooler made the early running but it was clear that their scrum was under pressure and conceded three penalties. This gave Newport field position and after subjecting the Pontypool line to considerable pressure Westwood touched down for an unconverted try to open the scoring for Newport (5-0).

Pooler then monopolised possession and made good ground through aggressive ball carrying. A rolling maul inside the home twenty-two suddenly saw Pooler hooker Scarfe emerge from the blindside of the maul with no defenders to block his path. He touched down for a try but the conversion failed and the scores were now tied at 5-5.

Pooler continued to apply pressure and, as the first quarter drew to a close, Antrobus forced his way over for Pooler’s second try after strong work from the pack. Meek converted and Pooler had established a 5-12 lead.

Five minutes later Newport hit back with a try from Williams after the ball was spread wide after a series of forward drives. The try was converted and the scores were level again at 12-12. The bad news for Pooler was that skipper Herbert was shown a yellow card.

Early in the second quarter, Newport were also down to fourteen men after their open side flanker was shown a yellow card. Scarfe was proving a menace at the breakdown winning several turnovers and also carrying the ball well. Pooler again pressed hard and with five minutes remaining in the first half a crosskick from Meek was bravely fielded by Pooler right wing Duggan who beat two Newport defenders to get the touch down. The conversion failed but Pooler were back in the lead 12-17.

There had not been many scrums in the first half so Newport were not able to capitalise in this area of superiority. A late penalty in favour of Pooler at a scrum came to nothing but it was certainly encouraging for the away side.

So, at half time Pooler held a narrow five point lead which on the balance of play they deserved. They could expect Newport to emerge for the second half with all guns blazing.

Pooler started the second half with a bang. A neat kick ahead from Meek was gathered at pace by Pooler fullback Davies who steamed over for a try. Meek converted to increase Pooler’s lead to 12-24 with the try bonus point secured.

Pooler so nearly increased their lead when a long Pooler clearing kick was chased downfield. Pooler wing McDonough was leading the chase but tried to kick the ball on but missed it. Marcus Jones also chasing did manage to pick the ball up but his pass to the supporting Meek went astray with the try line begging.

There followed a period of Newport pressure with their backs finding some gaps in the Pooler defence. In ten minutes they brought the scores back level with two tries one of which was converted. It was 24-24 and Newport had secured their bonus point.

Pooler needed to respond quickly. As the third quarter came to an end Pooler won a scrum penalty and kicked to the corner. From the lineout Matthews on as a replacement emerged from a maul to force his way over for Pooler’s fifth try. The conversion failed but Pooler were back in the lead at 24-29 with twenty minutes to go.

Pooler continued to press and were awarded a penalty and elected to go for goal. Meek’s penalty attempt hit a post and stayed out which brought back memories of the drawn game in the Cup. How crucial would that be?

The answer was very. With ten minutes remaining a pass from the Newport threequarters went astray. A rather fortunate bounce saw the ball in Newport’s hands and with the defence flatfooted Ackerman headed for the line. Some great tacking stopped him just short but for the ruck that formed Leary was able to cross for a try. The try was converted and Newport now held a narrow lead 31-29.

Pooler were not about to give in and some great passing by the backs saw Duggan racing down the right wing. He almost made it to the line but was tackled just short. The referee ruled that a Pooler attempt to score was held up over the line and the chance had gone. A couple of minutes later an attempted dropped goal from Meek missed.

Pooler continued to attack but the Newport defence showed great discipline and did not concede a penalty which might have turned the game in Pooler’s favour.

Final score Newport 31 : Pontypool 29.

This was a great advert for SRC with both teams contributing to an exciting spectacle that could have gone either way. Pooler put in a tremendous performance with Scarfe quite outstanding and overall can consider themselves unlucky not to pull off a win. The bounce of the ball and some missed kicks made the difference in the end.

We now move on to the play offs where Pooler will start with a wild card game with the opponents yet to be confirmed. On this kind of form. they will be a difficult proposition for anybody.

Come on Pooler!