Saturday 12 August 2017

Musical Chairs

I made a short jaunt to Tondu to cast my eye over the Pooler squad as it starts a run of friendly games in preparation for the new season. These games are not really about winning and losing but more about giving the coaching staff an opportunity to observe as many squad members as possible in a match situation rather than in training. For the spectator, it is utterly confusing as changes in personnel seem to be happening all the time. It is almost like a game of musical chairs – when the referee’s whistle blows there is a mad rush to be one of the thirty players on the field!
Suffice it to say, the Pooler squad looks in fine fettle with several of the new additions to the squad catching the eye and complementing the old guard. Tondu provided stern opposition for the first two thirds of the game but fell away in the final third as the strength in depth of the Pooler squad told. For the record the final score was 7-65 with Pooler running in six tries in the final third. Pooler scored eleven tries in all with Craig Atwell bagging a hat trick.

On the face of this performance, Pontypool look to be in a position to mount a strong challenge for the Championship title again. Overall there would appear to be few if any weaknesses but only time will tell. Lock proved to be a problem position last year due to injuries but all four of the locks on view looked fit and raring to go. Next week’s match against Premiership Llanelli will give the squad a more challenging yardstick to use to measure progress with the preparations for the upcoming season.

This season marks fifty years of supporting Pontypool for me and I am looking forward to the season as if it was my first.

Come on Pooler! 

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