Hard Going for Pooler

Pontypool’s penultimate match of the season was a visit to Rhydyfelin and at last the sun shone. Rhydyfelin are involved in a scrap at the bottom of the Championship to avoid relegation so Pooler were sure to be given another stern examination to pass if they were to preserve that unbeaten record.

Pontypool started brilliantly and before the home side had time to settle had scored two converted tries. The first came from a driving lineout with Watkins getting the touchdown and for the second Gullis latched on to a delightful chip kick by Meek to score near the posts. Meek landed both the conversions and Pooler had raced into a 0-14 lead.

Pontypool failed to claim the home side’s kick-off following their second try and were soon under pressure. This brought the boisterous and vociferous home supporters to life and it was game on. Lucas, the Rhydyfelin scrum half, spotted a gap and scored a try in the corner and, as the conversion sailed over, the momentum had shifted with the score at 7-14 with only ten minutes played.

This was a really tough battle and there were lots of injuries. Pooler lost Ollie Drake and Jordan Williams to leg injuries and had it all to do to keep the lively home side at bay. As a section of the home fans stocks of beer dwindled, so did the quality of their language and sadly it made for an unpleasant atmosphere at times but Pooler managed to keep their cool. The immense pressure being applied by Rhydyfelin was resulting in too many turnovers and Pooler could not get a grip of the game. After an attritional twenty minute period, Pooler struck on the half hour mark. They were awarded a penalty and Matthew Jones’ pinpoint kick gave them a lineout near the home try-line. The initial forward drive was stopped but Herbert broke free to score in the corner. The try was unconverted but Pooler had breathing space at 7-19. There were no further scores in the first half with defences on top and neither side really able to put a set of phases together. H.T. 7-19.

As you would expect, Rhydyfelin came out for the second half breathing fire and were soon hammering away at the Pooler line. As at Skewen earlier in the week, the defence was magnificent and managed to keep the home side at bay. Pontypool lost young loosehead prop Rosser to another leg injury and as a result the scrums were uncontested from then on.

A turning point came on the hour mark when Green the home prop received his marching orders from the referee for a punch thrown at a Pooler player which started a mass brawl. Rhydyfelin continued to strive hard but gradually ran out of steam. The Pontypool backs began to find gaps and orchestrated by Matthew Jones ruthlessly took full toll of their opportunities. Meek scored a brace of tries to put the game to bed. The second was a beauty with an excellent break by Gullis from inside his own half taken on by Luckwell with Meek in support to get the score. Meek converted both of his tries and Pooler were well clear and had secured the bonus point at 7-33.

Pooler were now running Rhydyfelin ragged and in time added on Lampitt was on hand to cross for a try under the posts after a sweeping move involving forwards and backs. Another successful conversion from Meek gave a final score of 7-40.

This was another tough physical battle for Pooler and playing three games in a week will surely take its toll in terms of injuries. It is a testament to the strength and the spirit within the squad that they manage to keep on winning. It is really pleasing to see the younger squad members of the squad showing what they are made of when the pressure is on – it certainly bodes well for the future.

So this is it! We are down to the last game of the season. Pontypool will need to overcome Narberth on their own patch of they are to achieve the remarkable feat of twenty two wins out of twenty two starts in the Championship. Narberth have been their closest challengers for most of the season so the stage is set for an epic encounter. This will not be easy that is for sure and Pooler will have to be at their very best to pull it off.

Come on Pooler!