A disappointing end to a good season for Pooler
It was a very disappointing end to a good season at Stadiwm CSM (Eirias Park) in Colwyn Bay on Saturday as Pontypool went down to a 37-26 defeat at the hands of RGC 1404 in the Indigo Premiership, writes Ray Ruddick. Pooler looked a little tired at the end of this first season back in the Premiership and due to the defeat at home to Merthyr on Wednesday and this reverse in north Wales, Pontypool finished a creditable sixth in the final league table, but could have been fifth had they won one of these last two matches. This is the joint highest position in the top division Pooler have finished since the leagues started back in 1990-91 and it was in that first season when Pontypool finished sixth out of ten.
Pontypool kicked off attacking the gym end of the ground on a dry and fine, though chilly, afternoon. Inside the first minute RGC were penalised for offside on their 22, 10 metres in on Pooler’s left but the attempt at goal went wide. In the seventh minute the Gogs took the lead through an unconverted try by hooker Jordon Liney near the right corner, following a driving maul near the Pooler line (5-0). Pontypool hit back immediately when, from the re-start, flanker Callum Davies charged down a relieving kick and second row Dan Hill powered over for a try near the left corner, converted by outside half Matthew Jarvis with a fine kick (5-7). Six minutes later, RGC were on the attack inside the visitors’ 22 and scrum half Tom Ellis touched down for a try under the posts which full back Sam Earl-Jones converted (12-7).
In the 25th minute Pooler kicked for the right corner following a penalty and loose head prop Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths crossed for a try in the corner. The conversion went narrowly outside the left upright (12-12). Three minutes later home number eight Sam Williams was shown the yellow card for an offence near the RGC goal line. Just after the half hour mark the Gogs re-took the lead when centre Louis Williams scored a try, 10 metres in from the right corner. The conversion attempt failed (17-12). In the seventh minute of injury time Pontypool were penalised at a scrum near their 10-metre line, 10 metres in from touch on RGC’s right. Up stepped Sam Earl-Jones who slotted the kick at goal to extend his side’s advantage going into the break. Half time – RGC 1404 20 Pontypool 12.
In the fourth minute of the second period Pontypool made their first change of the afternoon when Callum Oliver replaced Will Gregory in the second row. Five minutes later RGC won turnover ball inside their half which eventually resulted in the bonus-point try for flanker Dan Owen near the posts. Sam Earl-Jones added the extras (27-12). In the 52nd minute the visitors replied in kind when play was in the home 22, the ball was moved left for wing Walker Price to squeeze over in the corner for a try, superbly converted by Matthew Jarvis (27-19). Four minute later Pontypool were caught offside on their 10-metre line, 15 metres in on RGC’s left and Sam Earl-Jones kicked the goal (30-19).
Just after the hour Pooler skipper and number eight Scott Matthews was replaced by Ben Moa and with twelve minutes remaining flanker Callum Davies made way for Adam Stratton for the visitors. With a little over seven minutes to go, play was inside RGC’s 22 and, after several drives towards the home goal line, hooker Sam Scarfe barged over for Pooler's bonus-point try to the left of the posts. Matthew Jarvis added the extra two points from the tee, so it was game on (30-26). Pooler made further changes when scrum half Matthew Flanagan made way for debutant Archie Lloyd and centre Duan Thomas was replaced by Amosa Nove. In the 77th minute Pooler were penalised for a high tackle, 30 metres from their goal line to the left of the posts but the shot at goal was off target. In the dying minutes Pontypool changed the whole front row with Sam Cochrane, Tomoya Adachi and another debutant Tarn Moa (brother of Ben Moa) replaced Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Sam Scarfe and Peter Lloyd respectively. However it was RGC that sealed the win with an 84th minute try by Sam Earl-Jones, who had a fine game, touching down 10 metres in from the left corner. Outside half Dion Jones converted. Final score – RGC 1404 37 Pontypool 26.
Pontypool were a little off the pace and slow to react on occasions while RGC looked threatening and fully deserved their win so well done to them.
Well, that is the end of another season and a season that everyone at Pontypool RFC can be congratulated on, in achieving a top six finish. A big thank you to the players, coaches, support and medical staff, volunteers, sponsors, supporters, Peter Jeffreys and anyone else who has, in any way, helped the club throughout this campaign. Enjoy the summer break and we look forward to next season in the new Elite Domestic Competition.
RGC 1404: Sam Earl-Jones, Rhys Tudor, Louis Williams, Afon Bagshaw (captain), Sam Stoddard, Dion Jones, Tom Ellis, Jessie Williams, Jordon Liney, Pedr Jones, Owain Evans, Ilan Evans, Dan Owen, Charlie Probert and Sam Williams. Replacements: Rhodri King, Gareth Parry, Patrick Nelson, Tal Taylor, Ethan Fackrell, Dafydd Williams, Harri Hughes and Caio Parry.
Pontypool: Pat Lewis, Matthew Powell, Duan Thomas (replaced by Amosa Nove), Joel Mahoney, Walker Price, Matthew Jarvis, Matthew Flanagan (replaced by Archie Lloyd), Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (replaced by Sam Cochrane), Sam Scarfe (replaced by Tomoya Adachi), Peter Lloyd (replaced by Taran Moa), Will Gregory (replaced by Callum Oliver), Dan Hill, Mike Herbert, Callum Davies (replaced by Adam Stratton) and Scott Matthews (captain, replaced by Ben Moa).
