For those
of us who were looking forward to a warm, relaxing, spring afternoon, Pontypool’s
visit to Bedlinog was a disappointment. There was a keen breeze blowing down
the valley which made a warm coat a necessity. The pitch nestled in the valley alongside
the river and was dry and firm to say the least with grass in short supply.
This was Pooler’s last game of a glorious season and, with a number of familiar
faces missing from the starting line-up, you felt that this was going to be a
tough encounter against Championship newcomers Bedlinog who occupied a
mid-table position.
Pontypool
kicked off playing down the valley with the stiff breeze at their backs and immediately
went on the attack. Unfortunately they turned over possession when pressing
hard and the home side booted the ball up the field. I think the referee was
the only person who was convinced that Walker, the Bedlinog wing, had won the
chase and touched down in the corner. The conversion failed and the home side
had an early lead at 5-0.
Pontypool
responded by camping out in the Bedlinog half but were frustrated by a
committed defence. Finally, after a quickly taken tapped penalty, Gibson was
put clear to cross in the left corner and open the away side’s account and
bring the scores level at 5-5. Pontypool continued to attack and gradually
built up the lead that you thought would be essential when they turned around
to face the elements in the second half. A smartly taken dropped goal by Meek
was supplemented by two penalties for Pooler to lead 5-14 after half an hour.
As the
first half was coming to an end, the away side were penalised and Bedlinog
spurned a relatively easy shot at goal to kick for the corner. This turned out
to be a wise decision as, after a series of powerful forward drives, Huish
forced his way over near the posts. The successful conversion meant that Pooler’s
lead had been trimmed dramatically to 12-14. In the final moments of the half Morgan
the Bedlinog flanker was sin-binned for foul play and you felt that this could
influence the outcome of a closely contested match.
Pontypool
started the second half purposefully and looked as if they really meant to
capitalise on their extra man. They were awarded a penalty and opted for a
lineout near the Bedlinog line. After a number of forward drives the referee
decided that the home side had illegally prevented a try from being scored and awarded
Pooler a penalty try. This was just the start that Pontypool wanted – not only
had they opened up a 12-21 lead but also the Bedlinog number 8 Murphy had been
yellow carded.
This proved
to be the turning point in the game and not long after Thorley managed to
finish off a good attack by diving over in the left corner and gave Pontypool
breathing space with a 12-26 lead.
Bedlinog
were far from finished and were given fresh impetus when Meek was yellow carded
for a high tackle. They attacked strongly but were thwarted by a Pontypool
defence that was not about to let the match slip. A try from the home side at
this stage would certainly have made things interesting.
As the
match approached full time, the introduction of Matthew Jones proved decisive.
His deft kick ahead was gathered by Thorley who fed the supporting Watkins who
in turn passed to Sparks who crossed to put the result of the match beyond
doubt. Though the conversion failed, Pooler had secured a bonus point and an
unassailable lead at 12-31. The match finished with Pontypool attacking
strongly but they could not add to their tally.
This was a
tough outing for Pontypool who did well to pull off a victory against strong
opposition. It brings a marvellous campaign to an end and hearty
congratulations to all at the club for making this such a memorable season. Of
the many high points, I think the one that will live longest in my memory was
that stunning victory in Cardiff Arms Park.
Sadly at
the end of all that effort there is not a crock of gold. There is no promotion to
the Premiership and Pontypool will have to keep doing what they have done this campaign
for another two seasons. I am sure they are more than capable of doing just
that but it does seem more than a little unfair.
Judgement
Day didn’t really turn out as most people expected. In the first match, a
strangely muted Ospreys team was soundly beaten by a fired up Cardiff Blues. In
the other match, what was meant to be a try fest for the Scarlets against the
Dragons was anything but that with the Scarlets grateful for a narrow victory.
So it’s not all about West Wales after all!
Attention
now turns to the Lions and the names of those selected for the ultimate honour.
I am certainly not going to make any predictions about the make-up of the squad
but whoever puts on the famous red jersey let’s get right behind them and see
if we can turn over the mighty All Blacks.
Well done
Pooler, see you next season.
