Wales Squeeze Home

This was much better from Wales as they shrugged off the depressing result in Ireland to edge out Scotland in Cardiff. Scotland had been favoured to win by the bookies after turning over England the previous weekend. As usual in the Six Nations Championship home advantage counts for a lot and a full house in the Principality Stadium surely helped Wales to squeeze home.

The match was nip and tuck all the way through with defences ruling the roost in the main. The first half saw the only two tries of the match from Graham for Scotland and Francis for Wales as the rain hammered down through the open roof. The Wales forwards performed much better at set piece and were more competitive at the breakdown than against their Celtic cousins in Ireland who admittedly play a level up from Scotland. It was also good to see the ball being carried up with more conviction and more metres gained. The Scots always looked dangerous and at 14-14 at half time it was anyone’s game.

The second half was much cagier with a lot of kicking and neither side able to create the sustained pressure needed to score a second try. Well into the second half, there had only been an exchange of penalties to leave the score at 17-17 and the result still very much in doubt.

Biggar attempted a long-range penalty that hit the bar and Wales gathered the ball with Cuthbert almost getting over in the corner. In the course of the attack Russell was adjudged to have deliberately knocked on and was shown a yellow card. Wales went for the jugular and after hammering away at the Scotland line finally settled for a Biggar dropped goal to take a narrow lead. The crowd groaned as they would have preferred to see Wales continue to press for a try but it turned out to be a crucial decision.

Wales continued to press and were camped on the Scottish line with only a couple of minutes remaining. A penalty given to Scotland for a high tackle by Basham and the re-emergence of Russell gave the Scots a lifeline and there followed a tense few minutes as they threw everything at Wales. Wales were not about to let this slip and the defence marshalled by Jon Davies repeatedly drove the Scots back until a final turnover sent the Welsh in the crowd into raptures. Wales had squeezed home at 20-17 and the Welsh fans were off to the pubs of Cardiff with smiles on their faces.

There was a great improvement from Wales but few would argue that they are back to their best. It was a much needed win to boost confidence in the camp with tough matches against England (away) and France(home) coming up. The lineout was much improved and the scrum held firm and the forwards with Elias, Moriarty and Rowlands to the fore carried hard. As last season, Wales do find it difficult to score tries against the well-organised defences that they come up against. The backs do not possess the X factor that cracks a defence and their tactics seem rather predictable. The Welsh defence did perform well and never let the Scots play the free running game that they favour. So well done Wales.

Will there be changes for the England game? I think there might be a couple of enforced changes due to injuries but I would expect the team to remain much the same. You would expect Adams to return if fit - maybe for Rees Zammit who is looking a bit subdued and possibly carrying an injury.

We did manage to watch most of the France v Ireland match on the TV. This was up a level for sure and probably be the match that decides the destiny of the Six Nations championship. In another really close game, it was the French who took the spoils 30-24 with the Irish losing bonus point perhaps turning out to be vital by the end of the tournament.  The French looked in command at 22-7 early in the second half but Ireland came storming back to 22-21 with two quick tries before the French pulled away. Another breathless encounter with the French now looking on course for a Grand Slam.

Next weekend the Six Nations pauses so we are back to affairs closer to home and the little matter of Pooler’s trip to Bargoed. This may well be another one that tests the mettle of players and supporters alike. Looking forward to it.

Come on Pooler!

Green Energy Overpowers Wales

This was always going to be a difficult opening match for Wales in the Six Nations Championship. Ireland and its provincial teams are playing top class rugby and are brimming with confidence. Wales and the Regions on the other hand are not after a mediocre showing so far this season.

Wales duly got a drubbing as the high power and high pace of the Irish was too hot too handle. If they were to do anything Wales needed to get off to a good start but the opposite happened with a very early try to the Irish setting the tone for the match. From then on, the result was never in doubt somehow and Wales were on the rack.

It is easy to highly critical of Wales but we should not forget that this is a really good Irish side with few weaknesses. It was almost an achievement for Wales to only concede four tries as they eventually went down 29-7. Wales never gave up and tackled themselves to a standstill with Basham to the fore as the rampant Irish battered them. Wales just could not match the Irish physicality on the day.

If you add the fifty point defeat of the Welsh Under 20s by the Irish to this rout it has been a worrying weekend for Welsh rugby. This will surely raise all sorts of questions about structures etc. but we are only one game into the championship and less than a year away from nearly winning the Grand Slam so is there any need to panic? You do have to ask the question as to how the Irish seem to have got things so right at the moment and try and learn from it. Their four provinces do roughly divide the country into quarters geographically where the Welsh regions do not.

In the other game on the opening Saturday, Scotland pipped England 20-17 in a really close game that turned on a penalty try awarded to Scotland. The Scots are coming to Cardiff next Saturday and on this form will pose a major threat to the battered Welsh team. With matches against England and France to follow Wales have it all to do to get back on track.

Wales are beset by a long injury list which may well be longer after yesterday’s bruising encounter. There will be calls for wholesale changes I have no doubt, but it is quite difficult to see who Wales turn to. The forwards were second best to the Irish and are lacking in ball carriers. The backs were found wanting in defence at times and never threatened in attack admittedly with limited quality possession. The experiment of playing Josh Adams at centre was not successful although with more experience in the position it might work. Adams should return to the wing for the time being. In the forwards I think we need a better blend with a bulkier No 6 or 8 who can carry the ball more effectively. Lord knows who that is, but if Moriarty is really match fit it could be him. In my view, major changes in personnel are not the way forward and we should let the nucleus of the team have another shot at redemption.

I was saddened to hear of the sudden death of Robin Davey who reported on rugby for the South Wales Argus for many years. I knew Robin reasonably well and he was true rugby man who wrote it as he saw it. My condolences to his family.

For Pooler fans, we are two weeks away from that trip to Bargoed on the day that has a red ring drawn on it on my calendar. This should be a humdinger with two sides battling for bragging rights and possibly the Championship. I can’t wait.

Good luck to Wales against Scotland next Saturday.  Hope the fans behave and enjoy the weaker beer. The WRU can always turn to Welsh Bitter or Courage AK if the beer is still too strong or maybe even a compulsory dash of lemonade.

Come on Wales!

Mission Accomplished for Pooler

A trip to the small but bustling market town of Narberth is always a pleasure whether it be for a rugby match or just to browse amongst the antique shops. This visit was all about rugby and Pontypool knew that they would face a stern test as has almost invariably been the case over the last few years. The rather gloomy and west weather in the East in the morning did rather dampen the enthusiasm for the long trek but the Met Office had assured us that it would all clear up by two o’clock so off we went.

True to the weatherman’s prediction, by the time we took a seat in the stand at the Lewis Lloyd Memorial Ground there was hardly a cloud in the sky. There was a cold stiff breeze blowing across the ground and the pitch was a little damp but all was set for the usual entertaining encounter. The Narberth treasurer must have been delighted to see a goodly crowd with a decent sized contingent from the Eastern Valley.

It was the home side who started the better and their kicking game gave Pontypool plenty to think about. Local knowledge certainly helped as their accurate kicks kept the Pooler back three fully occupied. Rather against the rub of play, it was the visitors who opened the scoring after five minutes or so. Meek intercepted a loose Narberth pass in his own half but didn’t quite have the gas to make to the Narberth try lin. Pat Lewis steamed up alongside him and took Meek’s pass to touch down. Jarvis converted and Pooler had first blood (0-7).

Narberth continued to gain good territory with their kicking game and Pontypool were soon back on the defensive. After a series of attacks in the Pontypool twenty-two, they finally created an overlap for Sutton to score in the right corner. Gale converted expertly and the match was even (7-7).

The next fifteen minutes was evenly contested with the two packs battling for supremacy. There were plenty of turnovers but neither side could gain an advantage. Pontypool lost lock Jordan Williams to a nasty looking eye injury and he was replaced by Regan. Pooler tried to the run the ball while Narberth were more disposed to use their kicking game.

After twenty five minutes, Pontypool were awarded a penalty and kicked for the corner. A lineout drive was expertly constructed and Hughes touched down for the try. Jarvis converted and Pontypool were back in the lead (7-14).

Pontypool seemed to up their game for the remainder of the half but it was a penalty from Gale that was the next score (10-14). The Pooler pressure finally told as the half drew to a close. A break by Walsh was well supported and it was left to Matthews to take the scoring pass and force his way over the line. The try was unconverted but Pooler held a useful lead at half time (10-19).

The second half was more of the same - a scrappy but energy sapping dogfight. Pontypool looked to have the edge but Narberth were always dangerous. There were substitutions and injuries aplenty with defences on top. Towards the end of the third quarter, it was Pontypool who got the all-important next score. Some great interplay by the backs saw substitute centre Ethan Davies touchdown for an excellent try. The conversion failed but Pontypool were in the driving seat and had secured the bonus point at 10-24.

Narberth were by no means discouraged and continued to test Pooler were their kicking game. Ten minutes later an attempted Pooler clearance kick from one such up-and-under was charged down for Rogers to score under the posts. With the conversion, Narberth were back within a score at 17-24 with fifteen minutes to go.

This seemed to give Narberth fresh impetus and they attacked strongly but the Pontypool defence held firm. A 50-22 clearance kick by Pooler gave them good field position and after a series of forward drives they finally put the game beyond Narberth’s reach when substitute scrum half Quick squeezed in in the right corner. The conversion was missed but Pooler had sealed a hard-fought victory. Final score Narberth 17 : Pontypool 29.

It is never easy to win at Narberth and this match was no exception so a bonus point victory is extremely welcome. Narberth never conceded an inch and were never far behind until the last few minutes. Well done to both sides for an entertaining encounter.

We now have to wait until the 19^th February before Pontypool’s next match as the Six Nations Championship takes centre stage. The next match will be “Le Crunch” when Pontypool travel to unbeaten league leaders Bargoed. This is certainly one not to miss as it may well decide who will be champions.

In the meantime, Wales play Ireland in Dublin and Scotland in Cardiff. It is easy to be pessimistic about the former with the Irish Provinces doing so well in Europe in contrast to the Welsh Regions dismal performance. It is hard to see anything but and Irish victory. Wales have upset the applecart before but this is surely too much to expect – or is it? Wales should be able to field a decent pack of forwards, a pacy back three and competitive half backs. The real issue seems to be who will play in the centre. I must confess I have no idea who that will be – I hope Wayne Pivac does.

The match in Dublin is rapidly followed by the visit of the resurgent Scottish team who are a match for anyone at the moment.

Good luck Wales!

Well done Pooler!

Pooler Quickly up to Speed

For ardent fans starved of live rugby it was great to back at Pontypool Park to watch Pooler take on Glamorgan Wanderers. It really has been a fallow period for the Pooler faithful with this being only the fourth competitive match in almost two years and seven weeks since their last tasty morsel. A decent crowd gathered on a cool January day with the sun poking through now and then and no wind to speak of. The pitch was in good condition if a little slippery on top.

So to the match. Pontypool played up the slope in the first half and could have been forgiven if they had been a little slow off the mark against opponents who had played a deal more rugby in the recent past. This was absolutely not the case as the home side got into their stride surprisingly quickly.  They set out to play a high tempo offloading game and for the most part it was mighty effective.

After some great attacking rugby in the first ten minutes, they had ten points on the board through a penalty, a try and a conversion from outside half Jarvis. The Wanderers had done little but defend in this period but finally got a toehold in the match with a penalty from James after pressurising the Pontypool line (10-3)

Pontypool continued to play with confidence and the away side were soon back on the defensive. The home scrum and lineout were working well and the forwards were carrying strongly to set up a great attacking platform for the lively backs. As we entered the second quarter, Pooler scored two tries in a couple of minutes which effectively took the game away from the Wanderers. The first was from quick thinking by Ieuan Jones who took a tap penalty and powered over from ten metres or so. The second followed some brilliant combined play from backs and forwards that took Pooler from within their own half to deep into the visitors’ twenty two. The ball did go loose but ever-alert Pooler flanker Stratton was on hand to scoop the ball up and surge over the line. Both tries were converted by Jarvis and Pooler had a healthy lead at 24-3.

Just before half time, Pontypool added their fourth try when hooker, Hughes, bulldozed over from fifteen metres after some strong work from the forwards. Jarvis converted from wide out to give Pooler a 31-3 lead at half time with the bonus point in the bag.

It really had really been a fine first half performance from Pooler and we hoped for more of the same in the second half. HT Pontypool 31 - Glamorgan Wanderers 3.

The second half started well with a powerful Pooler scrum shunting the Wanderers back at a rate of knots and the referee awarding a penalty try (38-3). This was followed a few minutes later when a strong surge by Hughes led to some slick back play to put Nove in in the left corner. The conversion attempt hit a post but Pontypool were well ahead at 43-3 with half an hour remaining.

From then on, the match seemed to go into the doldrums. There was the usual raft of substitutions and the Wanderers stepped up their defensive effort. Whilst Pontypool continued to create scoring chances, they did not take them. The error count started to creep up and the home side started to give away penalties. As a result, we began to see some attacking play from the visitors who, although they broke the defensive line on a few occasions, found the cover defence in place to snuff the attacks out. I think everyone felt the frustration!

As we got to the final few minutes, Pontypool finally managed to finish with a flourish. Some excellent combined play led to substitute flanker Price touching down in the left corner. A brilliant touchline conversion from Jarvis put the icing on the cake and Pooler brought up the half century (50-3).

There was no further scoring and the match drifted to a conclusion with Pontypool recording a resounding victory. Final score Pontypool 50 – Glamorgan Wanderers 3.

It is great to be back at the Park and congratulations to Pontypool on a fine win in what might have been a tricky encounter after the long layoff. The brand of attacking rugby on show particularly in the first half was exhilarating – long may it continue.

Next weekend will represent another step up with the away fixture at Narberth who ran Bargoed close yesterday. Pontypool have it all to do if they are to catch the Championship leaders Bargoed, Bedwas and Neath. Whist they have games in hand, they really cannot afford to lose another match if they wish to retain the title in a highly competitive league. There is of course no promotion to play for this season but an exciting climax to the season is in prospect nevertheless.

Come on Pooler!

Yippee Rugby at Last!

At last, the Welsh Assembly Government has relented and we will have rugby to watch in numbers sitting in a stand or standing on a terrace. This means that not only do we get to watch the Pooler next weekend but also Six Nations home matches in the Principality Stadium. As someone once sang, “it’s been a long time coming”. The couch has heaved a sigh of relief as it has seen sterling service on a Saturday afternoon.

The couch did take a bashing over the last couple of days as European rugby returned to our screens. I suddenly became a Cardiff Rugby fan as I willed them to hang on against Harlequins. Sadly, they didn’t but played some excellent rugby before going down in the last few minutes. Owen Lane had a great match and will challenge strongly for a berth on the wing in the Welsh team. The Harlequins half backs and their powerful scrum proved to be the deciding factor.

The Ospreys gave it a go against Racing 1992 but I guess the strength of the French side’s bench let them forge ahead in the final quarter. I must admit I was also enthralled by the snooker match between Neil Robertson and Mark Williams at the time. Now that was real tension!

Anyway, next weekend we should be back on the Bank in Pontypool to watch Pontypool take on Glamorgan Wanderers. Pooler really have had such limited game time it is hard to know how it will go. The Wanderers have played much more so will be a difficult nut to crack. Let us hope the weather doesn’t intervene.

Come on Pooler!

 

Pooler Draw Another Blank

Another Saturday goes by without a Pontypool match as Covid strikes again. If there is a bright side, we will perhaps actually get to see the match against Cardiff Met at a later date. The already much shortened season appears to be fizzling out with a raft of postponements throughout Welsh rugby. Those who still have coffers will see them emptying as the financial toll continues.

More armchair rugby then. Fortunately, there was some full blooded and full crowded rugby to watch from the English Premiership with two cracking games: Bristol Bears v Sale Sharks and Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs. I enjoyed both and it made you realise just what we are missing. Both games were actually played on grass and there was genuine mud on the shirts too. Two narrow home wins if you are interested. From a Welsh perspective, Dan Thomas and Ioan Lloyd both shone for the Bears.

On Saturday afternoon I had intended watching Edinburgh v Cardiff Rugby but quickly realised that Edinburgh were going to be too sharp and too strong with a couple of tries for the Scots in the first few minutes. I resorted to the occasional flick of the remote to see how things were progressing as I shifted my attention to the Stoop. It was a similar story in Glasgow later on as the Ospreys fell short against the home side. Both of the games from Scotland were in silent stadiums on plastic pitches and felt cold and anodyne. The Scots do look strong and play some good rugby which does look promising for their Six Nations campaign. No comfort there then.

The debate rages in Wales about the Six Nations and whether spectators will be allowed in the Principality Stadium. There is not long to go now so decisions have to be made soonest. Moving Wales’ home games to England has been mooted. This really would be a nonsense if busloads of Welsh supporters headed off to full grounds in England while even more of their compatriots crowded round TVs and big screens back in the clubs and pubs of Wales.

This week we also got the chance to watch “Slammed” where we allowed to rake over past events in Welsh rugby. It was a real case of feast or famine with wooden spoons and grand slams and a revolving door for the coaches. I don’t think that I learned very much from the three episodes but it really did bring home that, with a small talent pool to pick players from, you need good, firm management to get sometimes startling results. Momentum be it positive or negative is pretty damn powerful. The relative stability of the Gatland era is over and we need to be careful that we don’t return to short termism.

The next match for Pooler is home to Glamorgan Wanderers and is scheduled for the 22^nd January. I guess it is unlikely that more than fifty spectators will be allowed in. Perhaps we should have a shift system so everyone gets a chance to have a few minutes proper rugby or maybe we can all just take a walk in the Park.

Come on Pooler!

Saturday Blues When We Want Red, White and Black

And still it goes on.  We still can’t officially watch Pooler play unless we are one of the nifty fifty. This has to be one of the most bizarre countermeasures for Covid. I wonder how the maximum of fifty spectators for outdoor events was calculated by the W.A.G. The figure of five hundred in Scotland seems to be far more sensible. Perhaps someone spilt some coffee on the Welsh report and the final zero was obliterated. Meanwhile in England we can see capacity crowds at rugby and football matches. Crazy to have three different approaches in such a small country as the UK.

Caerphilly RFC ably demonstrated the obvious flaws in the policy when they showed their match via video in a packed clubhouse as fifty brave souls watched the game outside. I am sure other clubs could equally circumvent the rules. What about mass dog walking on the Bank in Pontypool Park at 2.30 on a Saturday afternoon? I do realise the seriousness of the situation and do not condone breaking the rules but it just doesn’t make sense to a humble citizen.

I did watch the Scarlets take on the Ospreys on the TV and quite enjoyed the game that was played at a furious pace if lacking a little in skills. This was, of course, played without a crowd which rather stifled the atmosphere associated with a local derby. The Scarlets edged it with a later try after the Ospreys had led for most of the match. This is just a light snack to stave off the pangs of hunger for a real rugby match.

Pooler are due to play Cardiff Met University in Cyncoed next weekend. This is usually one of the most entertaining matches of the season but alas we will not be able to be there unless someone has a cunning plan. I wonder how the University will manage it with so many students in residence.

It all feels pretty miserable but it must end soon surely.

A happy and healthy New Year to you all.

Come on Pooler!