Saturday 12 May 2018

Celebrating in Style


I am just a little jaded this morning – with good reason I think.  Last night I attended the Pontypool RFC Annual Dinner. We had every reason to celebrate of course as the final Championship league table fully illustrates.


WRU NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL LEAGUE TABLE 2017-18
PL W D L PF PA DIFF TF TA TB LB PTS
Pontypool RFC 22 22 0 0 926 239 687 139 30 19 0 107
Narberth RFC 22 14 1 7 595 439 156 79 60 11 3 72
Trebanos RFC 22 14 0 8 501 335 166 69 43 9 4 69
Tata Steel RFC 22 13 0 9 546 483 63 77 63 10 4 66
Newbridge RFC 22 12 0 10 460 461 -1 63 61 7 3 58
Bedlinog RFC 22 10 2 10 480 501 -21 58 66 9 5 58
Rhydyfelin RFC 22 10 0 12 391 435 -44 51 58 4 5 49
Newcastle Emlyn RFC 22 9 1 12 470 633 -163 59 83 6 3 47
Beddau RFC 22 8 0 14 379 543 -164 47 72 5 6 43
Cardiff Met RFC 22 7 2 13 473 638 -165 60 92 5 3 40
Skewen RFC 22 7 0 15 351 535 -184 43 70 2 4 34
Glynneath RFC 22 3 0 19 292 622 -330 39 86 2 3 17


Pontypool had a brilliant season as you can see from the table and left the other clubs in the league some way behind as they roared through an unprecedented unbeaten league season.
As you would expect, the evening was a joyous affair brilliantly compered by club chairman Peter Jeffreys. The large dining room was packed which is a good indication of Pooler’s loyal fan base who have been with the club through thick and thin.
Congratulations to all the award winners and indeed to those who didn’t win awards. Rugby is a team game of course and this has been very much at the heart of what Pooler have achieved. It was great to hear the award winners without exception make this point. You really get the feeling that the management, coaches and players are very much on the same page when it comes to moving the club forward. Long may it continue.
We were kept entertained throughout the evening both by the player interviews and the inimitable Phil Steele. The end of evening disco was a step too far for us elder statesmen however and we beat a hasty retreat well fed and watered.

Whilst the dinner was in full swing, the Cardiff Blues were playing Gloucester in the Challenge Cup Final in Bilbao. I have just watched the match on the TV and enjoyed it immensely. Of course when you already know the result you do not really have the same feeling of tension. Hearty congratulations go to the Blues for their stirring comeback and the quality of their rugby. Gloucester may feel a bit aggrieved about a decision or two that didn’t go their way but then that’s rugby. What a great couple of weeks for Cardiff with the Bluebirds winning promotion and the Cardiff Devils sweeping all before them.

It seems a long time until September and the new rugby season. Enjoy the break Pooler and let’s have more of the same in what could be a momentous season.