Saturday 26 August 2017

Happy Families

The Memorial Ground had a festive air with lots of families out enjoying the summer sun. Pontypool were being hosted by their neighbours Pontypool United for the last warm-up game before the season starts in earnest next weekend.
The match had none of the needle of Pooler’s previous encounter against Llanelli and was played in a competitive yet friendly spirit. Pooler, as the higher ranked side, quickly stamped their authority on the game with two well-taken tries from Thorley and Herbert in the first ten minutes which gave them a 0-12 lead. Pooler looked dangerous as they moved the ball at pace and more scores looked likely.
United grew into the game and their rush defence began to force some mistakes from their opponents. Indeed they started to put together some strong attacks themselves which culminated in a converted try by Takel to bring the score to 7-12.
The game then entered a period of stalemate with a series of handling errors and penalties resulting in a frustrating stop-start affair. As the first half drifted towards its close, Pooler broke the deadlock with a try under the posts by Thomas who was put into space by Luckwell. This gave the away side a decent lead at the half at 7-19.
Mass substitutions by both sides in the second half did nothing to improve the fluidity of the game with both sides struggling to put coherent attacks together. It took almost twenty minutes for the next score which came when Hancock dived over from close range after a series of forward drives by the Pooler pack. The conversion failed but Pooler looked in control at 7-24. A few minutes later United’s fate was sealed when Ferriman drove over following more strong forward play and with the successful conversion Pontypool were home and dry at 7-31.
There was still time for the resilient home team to score a consolation try when Takel bagged his second in the dying moments. The conversion went over and, as the final whistle blew moments later, the final score was 14-31.

This was a decent workout for Pontypool as the well-organised United side pushed them hard. Pooler will certainly need to tighten up and reduce the error count in the league matches to come. Nevertheless a successful pre-season should leave Pontypool in good heart for the challenges of the new campaign. The squad looks to have significant depth in all areas and it will be fascinating to see what the starting fifteen will be for the first league game with so many players in contention.
Pontypool will be taking on newly-promoted Rhydyfelin at the Park next Saturday and can expect a tough match as the newcomers will certainly want to impress against the reigning champions. I’m looking forward to it already!

Come on Pooler!

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