Pooler Were Much More Competitive than the Score Suggests

Pontypool travelled to Llandovery to play the hosts for the second time this season. The home fixture for Pooler in the first game of the season had resulted in a narrow win for Pooler so the Drovers would be looking for revenge. It seems strange to be playing return fixtures so early in the season.

It was a dry blustery day at Church Bank with the game being played on the artificial pitch which has an appreciable camber from side to side. Pooler played with the wind in the first half and would need to build a lead if they could.

Llandovery made the early running and in the first few minutes established a position deep in the Pooler half. Pooler conceded a penalty or two but eventually cleared their lines. It was clear that the Pooler defence looked much more determined and organised than in the early games of the season where tries were conceded at an alarming rate.

There followed a lot or aerial tennis as both teams employed kicking as their main tactic. Llandovery kicking into the wind found the tactic more effective as Pooler kicked the ball rather too far with the wind behind them.

On the quarter hour, a Drovers attack down the right wing was stopped just short of the Pooler line. This did, however, result in a yellow card for Ryan Jones of Pooler. Pooler again managed to prevent the home team from scoring and booted the ball upfield which led to a foot race with the home side scrambling back just in time.

Despite playing with the wind, Pooler seemed to be unable to establish a position in the Llandovery twenty-two in a scoreless first quarter. The set pieces had been evenly contested but I do find it frustrating how long it takes to set up both scrums and lineouts these days.

Early in the second quarter, Pooler took the lead through a penalty from Meek (0-3). This was followed by a period of exciting play with the ball going from end to end as handling errors were punished by both sides. On the half hour, Llandovery again threatened the Pooler line but Pooler cleared the ball. Llandovery ran the ball back and a clever kick ahead was regathered by Murray- McGregor to score the first try of the game which was converted by Hughes (7-3).

As the first half drew to a close, Llandovery again were deep in the Pooler twenty-two. This time a timely interception saw Pooler scurrying down the left touchline. The home defence got back in time to prevent the score but Pooler continued to attack and a precision crosskick saw McDonough in acres of space on the right. He cantered in to score but unfortunately Meek’s conversion attempt hit a post. Nevertheless, Pooler had a narrow 7-8 lead as the first half ended.

It was a great defensive performance from Pooler to keep the pacy Drovers at bay. The home side would have the benefit of the wind in the second half so it was going to require a big effort for Pooler to keep their noses in front.

It was Pooler who started the brighter in the second half  taking advantage of a series of penalties conceded by the home side. Despite gaining excellent field position Pooler could not score the points their play deserved and Llandovery managed to clear the ball upfield.

Against the run of play, Llandovery scored their second try. A period of scrappy play saw the ball go loose. Hughes from Llandovery gathered and scooted through a gap to score. The try was converted and Llandovery now led 14-8.

Pooler continued to benefit from their kicking game with the wind against allowing the kick chase to challenge more effectively. The home side continued to leak penalties and Pooler gained field position with a lineout close to the Llandovery line. This time Williams powered forward and from the ensuing ruck Rock touched down. Meek converted and Pooler were back in the lead at 14-15.

At the start of the fourth quarter, it was Pooler on the attack and a flowing move saw them knock-on just short of the line when a try seemed to go begging. This was a very tight game and still anyone’s victory.

Both teams had made full use of their benches and it seemed that Llandovery had the bigger boost. In a see-saw match it was the home team who seized the initiative. It was replacement forward Ben Evans who did the damage as he breezed past three or four tackles to run twenty metres or more to score an individual try. The try was converted by Hughes and Llandovery led by six points at 21-15.

Pooler tried to respond but again found it difficult to get over the line. With little time remaining, a penalty from Hughes put Llandovery more than a score clear at 24-15. Pooler had not given up and attacked again going close but being repulsed. The match ended with Pooler trapped in their own twenty-two and trying to run the ball. Sadly, this broke down and it resulted in a second try for Murray-Mcgregor of Llandovery at the death. The try was converted and Llandovery had gained two bonus points with a 31-15 victory. Final score Llandovery 31 : Pontypool 15.

The final score does not reflect the closeness of the match with Pooler well in it until the final ten minutes. It was a much improved defensive performance which kept the lively Llandovery backs at bay for the most part. In attack, a number of chances were missed when good field position had been gained  which could have altered the course of the game. Overall, however, this was good competitive performance against the reigning champions on their own pitch and something to build on. Well done Pooler!

Next up for Pooler is the return fixture against Bridgend Ravens. Pooler lost narrowly at home after a great comeback in a high scoring game.  Hopefully the days of leaking early tries are behind us on the evidence of the last two matches.