Pooler Get Bogged Down

Two exhilarating victories at Llanelli and Cardiff had earned Pontypool yet another away tie at Cross Keys in the quarter final of the Welsh National Cup. Could Pooler cause another upset?

It was a grey cold afternoon with rain threatening and when we looked at the pitch our faces fell. The surface looked muddy and sticky – a million miles from the artificial pitch at Cardiff where Pooler had performed their heroics in the previous round. The high speed rugby that had served us well there wasn’t going to do here.

Cross Keys played with the help of a diagonal wind over their right shoulders in the first half. It soon became abundantly clear that our worst fears would become reality as any quick changes of pace or direction by the players proved impossible on the Pandy pudding. The home side had their game plan off to tee with strong forward drives coupled with an astute kicking game. They also had a back row that were mightily skilled in winning turnovers at the breakdown with Matthews particularly prominent.

Keys used the high penalty count in their favour to grind out a lead in the first half. It wasn’t pretty but it worked. They garnered two penalty goals through Prosser and an unconverted try by Hughes from a driving lineout following a kick to the corner from a penalty and built up a useful 11-0 lead by half time. Pontypool had their moments with one thirty metre forward drive particularly memorable. They also spurned a kick at goal to try a driving lineout of their own. Unfortunately both pieces of play ended up in the redoubtable Cross Keys forwards forcing a turnover. By half time, both teams were covered with thick mud as was the ball which was often difficult to spot. Pontypool had shown plenty of endeavour but had never really looked like breaching the home defence.

In the second half Pontypool needed to have a good start and get some points on the scoreboard if they were going to trouble the home side. Unfortunately they conceded another penalty early on and the deficit increased to 14-0. It left Pooler with a mountain to climb.

Pontypool started to gain some decent possession and strung some phases together. It proved difficult to get runners moving at pace and the Cross Keys defence was more than capable of snuffing out Pooler’s attacks. Indeed most of the attacks seemed to end with a penalty to Cross Keys as the home jackals plied their trade. Pontypool did manage to get some points on the board with a penalty from Jones to make the score 14-3.

It didn’t take long for the home side to respond when No 8 Jones spotted some space behind the Pontypool defence. He put in a deft chip kick that any outside half would have been proud of that allowed Trowbridge to pick up the ball and stroll in in the corner. At 19-3 the match was effectively over.

Pooler attacked strongly for the remainder of the game but it was more of the same as the stingy home defence and the stickiness of the pitch foiled their best efforts. The final whistle blew leaving the score at 19-3 to Cross Keys. Pooler’s Cup adventure was over.

Pontypool fought hard but it was the pragmatism and solid game plan of Cross Keys that deservedly won the day. Their backrow were outstanding and managed to nullify Pontypool’s attacking threat. “Pooler locked out by Keys” would have been the headline that summed up the match in the days of John Billot and J.B.G. Thomas. Another day, another pitch? …. we can but dream.

Pontypool will now get back to League action and face Newcastle Emlyn at the Park next Saturday. After the disappointment at Pandy Park, the squad need to bounce back.  Thanks to everyone at the club for a brilliant cup run. The Cardiff game in particular will live long in my memory.

Meanwhile Wales will also need to regroup after their poor second half display at Murray field last weekend. They face Ireland at the Principality Stadium on Friday evening and know they will have a tough task containing the resurgent Irish. Friday evening Six Nations rugby is not really my cup of tea with the angst surrounding getting to and from the match. Nevertheless I will take my seat and hope that Wales can spring a surprise both in selection and in the result.

Come on Wales!

Come on Pooler!