Pooler Power On

Sadly I didn’t make it to Newcastle Emlyn for Pontypool’s latest game. As usual, I regretted it as soon as it was too late to jump in the car and spent match time surrounded by tablets and phones as I tried to keep up with what was going on down West. In the end it was a comfortable victory for Pooler with the final score 10-62 with nine tries scored. This leaves Pontypool firmly entrenched at the top of the Championship with an unblemished record of ten straight wins and a lead of fifteen points over nearest rivals Narberth as the first “season” ends. It will not be until December 9^th that they take the field in earnest again which is frustrating, to say the least, as they are certainly building up a head of steam.  The season 2019-20 still seems a long way off and the opportunity for Pontypool to hopefully regain Premiership status. Maintaining the current momentum will be challenging for sure.

As I kept up with the Pontypool score, I idly flicked between the Barbarians v New Zealand and Leicester v Gloucester games. The Barbarians resembled a NZ fourth team with a few added extras while the NZ team was certainly not at full strength. It was entertaining enough and it gives you an insight into the strength in depth of New Zealand rugby. There seems to be a never-ending conveyor belt of big athletic units just waiting for their opportunity to break into the first team. The Leicester v Gloucester match was in the Anglo-Welsh Cup with very much second teams taking the field. It was good to see Ross Moriarty playing again and looking fit. Hopefully he will be firing for the Six Nations. At the end of the season he will of course face the agonising decision of whether to return to Wales to play regional rugby or not be eligible to play for Wales again. Nose, face and spite spring to mind.

Next Saturday Wales take on Australia in the first match of the Autumn Series. I would expect few surprises from number one to ten with Shingler getting the nod at six rather than Lydiate. In the backs Jon Davies and Liam Williams are certainties with Steff Evans probably given his chance on the wing. I would then add Patchell at twelve and Hallam Amos on the wing moving Williams to fullback. Halfpenny and Priestland/Williams on the bench. Of course I will be hopelessly wrong but at least I had a go.

I have certainly enjoyed the first half of the Championship campaign thanks to Pontypool’s high octane rugby. Well done boys. Let’s hope it keeps going and we have a decent run in the Cup to boot.

Come on Pooler and come on Wales!